Hammond Indiana Commits to Join AARP Age-Friendly Network, Plans Resident Survey
The City of Hammond has taken a formal step toward becoming more age-friendly by committing to join the AARP Network of Age-Friendly States and Communities. City officials say they will launch a community survey aimed at older residents in the coming weeks to gather input that will guide planning and priorities across housing, transportation, health services and social inclusion.
What Hammond’s commitment means for residents
Signing on to the national age-friendly network signals a structured, long-term effort to make Hammond safer and more accessible for residents at every stage of life. The network’s framework guides jurisdictions through assessment, planning, implementation and evaluation—creating a roadmap that local leaders can use to measure progress and adjust course over time.
Officials emphasize that this is an inclusive process. The initial outreach will target seniors and residents aged 45 and older to capture the experiences of those already facing age-related barriers as well as those approaching later adulthood. Feedback will be sought on concrete areas such as housing affordability and accessibility, reliable and accessible transportation, quality outdoor spaces, clear communication channels, opportunities for social connection, and access to health and community support services.
Demographic trends make the effort timely. National population shifts project that by 2034 there will be more Americans aged 65 and older than those under 18, making municipal planning for older adults an increasingly prominent part of local government work. Hammond’s move aligns the city’s planning with these broader shifts and with neighboring jurisdictions that have begun or renewed multi-year age-friendly planning cycles.
Next steps: survey launch, planning cycle, and implementation
The immediate next step is a community survey, to be distributed in the coming weeks, that will allow residents to report their experiences and priorities. City leaders say survey results will be used to identify short-term actions and longer-term projects, and to prioritize resources where they will help residents age in place with dignity and independence.
After the survey, officials plan to synthesize community input into an action plan that sets measurable goals and timelines. The action plan is expected to address cross-cutting themes such as mobility options for those who no longer drive, housing modifications and affordable senior housing, better wayfinding and outdoor amenities, expanded health and social services, and strategies to reduce social isolation among older adults.
Implementation will be treated as a community-wide effort. Local government, non-profit organizations, health providers, transportation planners, business leaders and residents will be invited to participate in carrying out the plan’s initiatives. Regular evaluation milestones will help the city track progress and recalibrate strategies based on what works.
City leaders urge residents to participate in the survey once it is released; community input will directly influence which projects move forward and how resources are allocated. Officials have indicated practical opportunities for involvement beyond the survey, including public meetings and volunteer advisory roles that will arise as the action plan takes shape.
By joining the national network and launching this listening campaign, Hammond is framing aging policy as a citywide priority and positioning itself to pursue measurable improvements through a coordinated planning and implementation cycle.
