Webinar Recap
Older Americans Month 2026

Age-Friendly Planning in Action:
A Decade of Discovery and Impact

A recap of our May 12 webinar — key takeaways, lessons from ten years of regional planning,
and resources you can put to work in your community today.

Date

Tuesday, May 12, 2026

Time

Noon – 1:00 p.m.

Format

Free · Online Webinar

Attendees

24 community leaders

"How do communities prepare for a growing older population while staying vibrant
and attractive for all ages?"

SvA

Sylvia von Aulock

Executive Director · Southern New Hampshire Planning Commission

Ten-year veteran of age-friendly regional planning in New Hampshire,
and one of the most replicable models in the country. She returned by popular demand to share her wisdom with us.

What we learned

Ask the right question first

Framing age-friendly planning around “how do we serve all ages?” rather than “what do seniors need?” opens broader political support and longer-lasting community investment.

Partnerships outlast plans

Written plans survive budget cycles and leadership changes only when they live inside a coalition. The relationships built around a plan are often more durable than the document itself.

Regional models can be replicated

Southern New Hampshire's sustained regional approach — built through partnership across multiple communities — offers a framework adaptable to different community sizes and structures.

Small teams can scale this work

Serving a growing older population with limited staff requires low-lift, high-leverage models. Sylvia shared practical approaches that work even for lean organizations already stretched thin.

“The planning decisions your community makes today will shape whether older adults can
age with dignity, connection, and choice — and whether your community stays vibrant
for everyone.”

— Sylvia von Aulock, Executive Director, Southern NH Planning Commission