Angela Smith Angela Smith

Omaha Launches Age‑Friendly Community Survey 

The City of Omaha is conducting a survey to guide the creation of its age-friendly strategy 

OMAHA, NE — March 16, 2026. The City of Omaha and Age-Friendly Omaha (AFO) announced the launch of the Age‑Friendly Community Survey at a press conference this afternoon at Fabric Lab. The survey invites residents to identify priorities that will guide Omaha’s first Age‑Friendly Action Plan, a community‑driven roadmap to improve livability for people of all ages—especially older adults.

The Age-Friendly Community Survey will be used to determine the most pressing priorities in the community, and to gauge residents’ awareness of existing age-friendly programs.

“As we plan for Omaha’s future, it’s important that every resident—no matter their age—has the opportunity to shape what comes next,” said Mayor John W. Ewing, Jr. “Older adults are the backbone of our neighborhoods. Their lived experiences and ideas will guide us as we create an Age-Friendly Action Plan that reflects the real needs of our community. This survey is one of the most important steps in making sure Omaha remains a place where people can live, stay, and thrive throughout their entire lifetime.”

This is all part of Omaha’s work since enrolling in the AARP Network of Age-Friendly States and Communities. Enrollment in the Network requires communities to conduct an assessment of their age-friendliness, identify strategies for improvement, and implement those strategies over time.

“This survey is the foundation of a community‑driven plan,” said Todd Stubbendieck, AARP Nebraska State Director. “By listening directly to older adults and their families, Omaha can coordinate practical solutions that improve daily life for people of all ages.”

Local assessments have shown that Omaha’s share of residents aged 55+ rose from 22.4% to 25.2% between 2010 and 2020, and many older adults—especially renters—face affordability and aging‑in‑place challenges. The Age‑Friendly process is designed to address these needs through coordinated, cross‑sector action.

“We launched Age-Friendly Omaha to help partners work together, break down silos, and elevate older adults’ voices,” said Ryan ZimmerMas, Senior Project Manager at Spark and AFO community contact. “Today’s kickoff is an invitation for every resident to guide what comes next.”

The main goal of the survey is to identify the current needs of residents in the community and also help decision-makers understand how existing and potential policies may impact the community.

“An age-friendly city is one where people can continue to connect, grow, and thrive within their community, no matter their age and ability,” said Lauren Cencic, CEO of Metro Transit. “Partnerships like this coalition ensure decision makers are working together so people have access to what makes life worth living-- friends, family, healthcare, community-- with transit access working to connect it all.”

Adults age 45 and older, or someone on their behalf, are encouraged to participate in the survey, until May 1, 2026. The survey can be completed online HERE and printed versions are available at select locations listed on the Age-Friendly Omaha website, including all Omaha-area senior centers and Eastern Nebraska Office on Aging.

The survey may take about 20-25 minutes to complete. All feedback will remain anonymous.

• Take the survey online: https://aarpresearch.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_cNEgrYYp2BNiI4e

• Languages: English and Spanish

To reach residents who may have been under‑represented in survey responses, AFO announced a forthcoming series of listening sessions and targeted focus groups this summer. Following analysis of community input, AFO will convene domain‑specific working committees—including older adults—to develop measurable goals and strategies.

For updates and ways to get involved, visit agefriendlyomaha.org.

About Age-Friendly Omaha

Age-Friendly Omaha (AFO) is a community‑driven initiative dedicated to creating an Omaha where people of all ages can live, remain, and thrive. As a member of the AARP Network of Age-Friendly States and Communities, AFO leads a multi‑year planning and implementation process to understand the needs of older adults, identify community priorities, and develop strategies that enhance livability across the city.

The initiative focuses on AARP’s Eight Domains of Livability and works closely with community members—especially older adults—to co‑create an Age-Friendly Action Plan. Through surveys, listening sessions, community outreach, and partnerships with culturally specific organizations, AFO ensures that older adults’ voices guide the vision for a more connected, accessible, and age-ready Omaha.

To learn more about Age-Friendly Omaha or to get involved, visit agefriendlyomaha.org or follow Age-Friendly Omaha on Facebook or LinkedIn.

About the AARP Network of Age-Friendly States and Communities

The AARP Network of Age-Friendly States and Communities supports the work of local, regional and state governments as they prepare for the nation’s changing demographics. Established in 2012, the Network includes towns, cities, counties and states that have made a commitment to being more livable for people of all ages, and especially older adults. To learn more, visit www.AARP.org/AgeFriendly or follow @AARPLivable on social media.

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