City of Gary’s Age-Friendly Advisory Council Launches Survey to Understand Needs of Residents Over 50

Gary, IN - The City of Gary’s Age-Friendly Advisory Council is pleased to announce the launch of the Community Needs Assessment. The assessment is available in paper copies at over 15 locations in the Gary community, including local municipal buildings, senior living buildings and other community facilities.  

A full list of locations is available online at www.gary.gov/age-friendly, as well as a link to take the assessment. The questionnaire is designed to help the council understand the needs and challenges of adults over 50 years old to build a more livable community.  

"As our population ages, we must ensure our city evolves to meet everyone's needs,” stated Mayor Melton. “Gary is committed to creating a community where every resident, regardless of age, can enjoy a fulfilling and dignified life. We envision a city where every generation benefits from inclusive design and thoughtful planning."  

The assessment gathers feedback from residents on the state of the city across eight domains of livability established by AARP: outdoor spaces and buildings, transportation, civic participation and employment, communication and information, respect and social inclusion, social participation, health services and community support, and housing.  

"This assessment represents a critical first step in understanding the unique needs of our residents 50 and over," said Director of Constituent Services Kianna Grant. "The data collected will guide our efforts to make Gary a more inclusive and accessible city where people of all ages can thrive. We strongly encourage every resident to participate and make their voice heard."

The assessment results will identify community strengths while highlighting residents' most crucial needs and concerns. The city’s Age-Friendly Advisory Council will use the data to create recommendations and an action plan to make Gary a more livable and age-friendly city.

The city encourages all residents to participate in this vital assessment as Gary works toward becoming more age friendly.  

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Media Contact:

Erika Blackwell, Chief Communications Officer, City of Gary
eblackwell@gary.gov  | (219) 806-6489 

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