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Active Aging Center

Rooted in the County’s core values of respect, collaboration, and equity, The Active Aging Center is a centralized hub offering comprehensive, coordinated services and programming for older adults, caregivers, and others in the Buncombe County region.

This center sets our county up to support the needs of an increasing population of older adults that are living and relocating to our area. It also aligns with the Buncombe County 2025 Strategic Plan focus areas of an “Educated and Capable Community” and “Resident Well-Being” by supporting residents’ ability to age in place.

The goal of Age-Friendly Buncombe County is to ensure that older adults are Safe, Well, and Engaged in our community.

Active Aging Center Vision

This is a conceptual project that we are working with community partners to create.

Older adults standing in a circle, holding hands
  • Nearly 30% of adults age 65+ in Buncombe County live alone (from 2019 prior to pandemic).
  • Over 70,000 people in Buncombe County are age 60 and over. That’s nearly one-third of the overall population.
  • By comparison, fewer than 50,000 are children (ages 0-17).
  • Both the number and percentage of older adults are projected to continue growing for years to come.
  • 65,000+ Square Feet
  • Centrally located in Buncombe County
  • Easily accessible by public transportation
  • Sufficient parking
  • Adult Day Care/Day Health
  • Aging service providers
  • Childcare
  • Technology space
  • Clinical services
  • Commercial kitchen
  • Dining space
  • Food pantry/storage
  • Flex space
  • Outdoor space

Comprehensive and Coordinated Aging Services Addressing Social Determinants of Health (SDOH)

  • Socialization: classes, lectures, clubs, support groups
  • Social isolation: Social isolation causes depression, anxiety, substance abuse/addiction, and health wise, is equivalent to smoking 15 cigarettes per day.
  • Housing: housing application assistance, home modification services, aging in place navigation
  • Health and Wellbeing: exercise classes, technology education, other programming
  • Economic Supports: benefits enrollment, financial education, job coaching
  • Clinical Services: medical, behavioral, and mental health services, pharmacy, medication management
  • Nutrition and Food Security: Healthy food sources, food pantry
  • Transportation Services: Mountain Mobility, ART

History

  • May-June 2019: Community meetings held; ACC Steering team members selected
  • October/November 2019: Funding sought to hire a consultant to complete the business plan
    • $95,000 was granted by the WNC Bridge Foundation
    • $20,000 for administrative support provided by Community Foundation of WNC
  • December 2019: IBIS Enterprises* was contracted with to provide consulting services
  • January 2020-January 2021: Lead agencies met monthly with IBIS Enterprises (work included: community interviews, research, concept development, and business planning)
  • February-May 2021: Revisions to the business plan and meetings with the Steering Team
  • July 2021: Steering team voted to recommend Buncombe County owner/operator of AAC
  • August 2021: HHS Board voted unanimously in support of recommendation (not get approved by Buncombe County Board of Commissioners)

Steering Team Partners

  • Buncombe County Health and Human Services
  • MountainCare
  • Council on Aging of Buncombe County
  • Land of Sky Area Agency on Aging
  • MAHEC
  • City of Asheville
  • UNC Asheville
  • Verner
  • YMCA
  • YWCA
  • Buncombe County Library Services
  • Older adult volunteers

Locate & Contact

Active Aging Center

Contact

Jennifer Teague
P: (828) 250-5198

Interpreter Services Available

  • - Free of Charge.

Hours of Operation

Monday - Friday
8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

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