Innovation and Inclusion Drive 2025 Age-Friendly Lehigh Valley Conference
Age-Friendly Lehigh Valley envisions a community where everyone has the opportunity to age successfully—and on October 20, 2025, local leaders, advocates and professionals gathered for the annual Age-Friendly Lehigh Valley Conference dedicated to advancing that vision.
Hosted in partnership with United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley, Pennsylvania Department of Aging, AARP Pennsylvania and the Lehigh Valley Planning Commission, the event brought together more than 100 community members to celebrate progress and explore innovative solutions that promote connection, inclusion and healthy aging.
“Age-Friendly Lehigh Valley is about creating communities where older adults are connected, respected and engaged,” shared Carmen Bell, Senior Director of Healthy Aging at United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley. “It’s also about recognizing that what supports older adults—walkable neighborhoods, accessible housing, quality healthcare—benefits everyone.”
The day’s presentations and discussions highlighted statewide collaboration, from Pennsylvania’s Age-Friendly designation to innovative local housing and transportation solutions, advocacy and community design—each reinforcing how thoughtful planning and collaboration improve quality of life for residents of all ages. Speakers including United Way President and Chief Executive Officer Marci Lesko and Pennsylvania Department of Aging Secretary Jason Kavulich underscored the power of partnerships to create real, lasting change.
“Pennsylvania is leading the way as the largest state in the nation to adopt an Age-Friendly framework. The Lehigh Valley is showing what it looks like when collaboration turns into action,” said Secretary Kavulich.
“The goal is simple: make every community one where you can safely walk, roll or age in place. It’s about mobility, safety and connection,” shared Becky Bradley, Executive Director of the Lehigh Valley Planning Commission. “When we design with inclusion in mind, we’re not just helping older adults. We’re building communities that work better for everyone.”
To close the event, Captains Ricky Ensley and Brian Beichy gave a compelling demonstration that showcased how emerging technology can enhance community well-being. The team introduced a new drone initiative from Project Lifesaver designed to assist in search-and-rescue missions for missing residents living with dementia or other cognitive challenges. Paid for by Fleming Foundation, the program reflects forward-thinking investment in tools that save lives, strengthen emergency response and give families greater peace of mind.
Thank you to our event sponsors — AARP Pennsylvania, Lehigh Valley Planning Commission and Fleming Foundation — for their generous support in advancing the Age-Friendly Lehigh Valley movement.
“Together, we are building a community where aging is not defined by limitations, but by opportunities to live with purpose, connection and care,” shared Lesko.
