Creating a community where older residents can remain connected, active and involved continues to guide aging efforts in Excelsior Springs.

Neighborhood Specialist Laura Mize recently updated the Excelsior Springs City Council on the Communities for All Ages efforts and the ES Aging Well Task Force, which continues to evaluate programs, services and resources aimed at helping older residents thrive.

The city began participating in Communities for All Ages in 2017 and earned gold-level recognition in winter 2022. The program guides communities through evaluating infrastructure, policies and offerings to determine how well they serve residents across generations.

Mize explained reaching that level was viewed as a beginning rather than an end, leading to the creation of the ES Aging Well Task Force to continue evaluating the community’s offerings and identifying potential gaps for older residents.

The task force brings together local professionals and residents, including representatives from…