Of the 80,000+ who live in Danbury, more than 9,200 are 65 years of age and older Connecticut is the 7th oldest state in the country with the third longest-lived constituency.

The city of Danbury is in-line with national and statewide trends which, over the next 20 years, predict an increase in the older adult population by nearly 32%--the most rapid increase in history. Recently, the Age Well Community Council of Danbury (formerly Aging in Place Council of Danbury) announced its innovative response to this profound and permanent aging demographic shift. Connecticut Community Care serves as the backbone organization to the Council and helps maintain overall strategic coherence and coordinates and manages the day-to-day operation and implementation of work.

The Council, a unique collaboration comprised of representatives from government, business, philanthropy, faith, nonprofit and other community organizations, will enter into an innovative partnership with the Connecticut Department of Social Services in support of a “No Wrong Door” initiative, which in part will coordinate access to information about long-term services and supports.

The ultimate goal of the partnerships is to prepare for the aging demographics by enhancing the availability and accessibility of Danbury’s community features, such as health and social services, community engagement and infrastructure. In doing so, quality of life of older adults will improve and the ability of people as they age to live safely, independently, and with dignity in the home of their choice can be realized.

“There is so much information out there about federal programs, state programs and insurance issues, but applying for it is very difficult,” said the Honorable Dianne Yamin, Probate Judge, Danbury Probate Court, Co-Chair, Age Well Community Council. “I’m pleased to say Danbury is one of only three towns in Connecticut chosen to work with the State Department of Social Services and the State Department of Aging. “This will streamline information and make it more accessible to the Danbury community.”

The in-depth work and collective structure of the Age Well Community Council is supported by the Peter and Carmen Lucia Buck (PCLB) Foundation, Inc.

Age Well Community Council Approach

The Council achieves its goals within the “collective impact framework”. This approach is premised on the belief that no single policy, government department, organization or program can tackle or solve the increasingly complex social problems we face as a society. Instead, it calls for multiple organizations/entities from different sectors to abandon their own agenda in favor of a common agenda, shared measurement and alignment of effort.

Age Well Community Council of Danbury (formerly Aging In Place Council of Danbury)

Age Well Community Council of Danbury is dedicated to creating a community where people can age in ways that are relevant, healthy, meaningful and engaged. The Council is comprised of community leaders from business, government, philanthropy, faith, health and social services committed to a collective approach to meet the current and growing aging demographic.