ST. JOSEPH COUNTY, Ind. – On January 15th, St. Joseph County was officially accepted into AARP’s network of age-friendly communities. Now the county is looking for its residents to help decide how to make that commitment come true.

The first step in the process was for the Board of Commissioners to pass a resolution that shows the county is committed to improving the quality of life of the people that live there, regardless of age.

The next step is to get a baseline for how residents feel about eight different areas of concern.

These eight areas are outdoor spaces and buildings, transportation, housing, social participation, respect and social inclusion, work and civic engagement, communication and information, and lastly community and health services.

The county needs at least 500 surveys to be taken, but they welcome everyone age 46 and up to participate.

These responses help the age-friendly SJC steering committee determine where the community wants to see improvement.

The survey can be taken online, but paper copies in both English and Spanish will eventually be distributed in the coming weeks at public places.

Email the county for more information.