Article five in the CONNECT Our Future series focuses on topics associated with community health, namely on the relationship between community health and city and regional planning. It highlights several priorities from CONNECT Our Future and their foundational support for independent work completed by health care officials, non-profit organizations, businesses, government officials, philanthropists and community members to improve individual well-being and community health throughout the region.

Today’s senior centers are delivering vital connections to help older adults age well. Senior centers offer a vibrant, action-packed combination of social activities, fitness and health and wellness classes, volunteering opportunities and community events. Senior centers also provide local formal and informal support systems for the older and disabled adults, which can help them stay as active as possible in their community. During the pandemic, senior centers pivoted to provide virtual services such as online fitness, fun activities, support groups and occasionally grab-and-go meals.

Every 11 seconds an older adult visits an emergency department due to a fall-related injury, but many of the falls could have been prevented. Falls remain a leading cause of injury for people aged 65 and older. These falls threaten older adults’ safety and independence and generate enormous economic and personal costs. However, through practical lifestyle adjustments, evidence-based falls prevention programs and clinical-community partnerships, the number of falls among older adults can be substantially reduced.

Given the complexity of the guidelines and opportunities for creative solutions, Centralina is launching a series of peer to peer chats to facilitate exchange among local governments on approaches to spending plan development and implementation of projects in the eligible use categories. Share your ideas, learn from others and ask questions in these quick, 30 min virtual chats.

In FY21 Centralina Regional Planning assisted communities throughout the region with technical assistance projects related to land use and zoning, walkability, community engagement, GIS, meeting facilitation, healthy communities and electric vehicle readiness while leading regional initiatives focused on natural resource protection, mobility and future transportation technologies. However, our two largest initiatives included leading a two-state, 12 county regional transit project, CONNECT Beyond, and helping local governments update their land development codes to align with North Carolina General Statutes Chapter 160D.

By the year 2030, one in five North Carolinians will be 65 and older, and the proportion of older adults 85 and over will increase as the baby boomer population moves into this age group. As North Carolina demographics skew towards the older population, learning more about how to serve their needs becomes more important. Getting a head start with Aging and Disability Awareness Training is essential to ensure good customer service for all organizations that work with this population now and in the years to come.

U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina M. Raimondo announced six programs, collectively called “Investing in America’s Communities,” that the Economic Development Administration (EDA) will execute to equitably invest the $3 billion received from President Biden’s American Rescue Plan.