Introduction
By 2030, 1 out of every 5 people in the United States will be 65 or older. By 2034, the number of adults 65 and older will be greater than the number of children 18 and under. This Town of Wake Forest Age-Friendly Community Strategic Plan prepares Wake Forest for these shifting demographics, while ensuring that residents of all ages can thrive and build a sense of community.
Designing neighborhoods with age-friendly principles in mind boosts local economies and benefits everyone, regardless of their age or physical ability. Through the actionable strategies in this plan, local leaders and organizations can work together to drive structural changes like safer streets, accessible housing, and inclusive public spaces, ultimately creating vibrant, livable environments for people of all generations.
With the rapid growth and changing demographics in Wake Forest, we must act now to address immediate concerns and opportunities while also preparing for the future needs of our residents.
To paraphrase an old proverb, “A community grows great when its members plant trees in whose shade they will never sit.” The work we do today will improve the lives of those who come after us, for many generations in the future. However, we must start now.