Criteria 1
BBB Accreditation
Business and charities must be BBB Accredited to be eligible. You can apply for BBB Accreditation and for the age-friendly program at the same time.
About the program
Why age-friendly?
AARP estimates by 2040 one in every five people in the United States will be 65 or older. What sets a better example of marketplace trust than BBB Accredited Businesses and Charities going above their core standards to provide safe environments for a vulnerable population?
In early 2023, BBB Akron was invited to join an evolving initiative, the Akron-Summit Age-Friendly Program. The development of this program was, and continues to be, a multi-agency endeavor that involved various partners within Summit County including the Summit County Executive's Office, the City of Akron, VANTAGE Aging (Accredited Charity), Direction Home Akron Canton Area Agency on Aging (Accredited Business), and the Akron Zoo (Accredited Charity.)
What are the criteria?
Businesses, organizations and charities are evaluated based on 5 sets of criteria.
Apply today
Criteria 2
Physical environment
Business and charities should maintain a clean, clear and easily accessible facility with adequate lighting and low noise levels.
Criteria 3
Marketing materials
Businesses and charities should ensure that print and web materials are easy to read with 12-point font and good contrast.
Criteria 4
Staff and personnel
Staff should be easy to identify and should be trained to be respectful, patient and accessible.
Criteria 5
Customer experience
Businesses and charities should create a friendly and engaging environment to consumers during marketplace transactions.
Meet our age-friendly organizations
These organizations have met the criteria designed to provide quality and accessible services to older adults.
Accredited Business
Advanced Quality Lawn
3031 Brecksville Road
Richfield, Ohio 44286
(330) 655-1313
Accredited Charity
Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank
Multiple locations are designated as age-friendly.
Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank
Main Campus
350 Opportunity Parkway
Akron, Ohio 44307
(330) 535-6900
Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank
Stark County Campus
1365 Cherry Ave NE
Canton, Ohio 44714
(330) 535-6900
Akron Area YMCAs
Riverfront Family YMCA
544 Broad Boulevard
Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio 44221
(330) 923-9622
Accredited Charity
Akron Blind Center & Workshop
230 West Market Street
Akron, Ohio 44303
(330) 376-0997
Accredited Business
Akron Monument & Granite Co
590 East Tallmadge Avenue
Akron, Ohio 44310
(330) 252-1746
Accredited Business
The Billow Funeral Homes & Crematory
Multiple locations are designated as age-friendly.
The Billow Co.
Fairlawn Chapel and Cremation Center
85 N. Miller Road
Fairlawn, Ohio 44333
(330) 867-4141
The Billow Co.
Falls Memorial Chapel
1907 23rd Street
Cuyahoga Fall, Ohio 44223
(330) 867-4141
The Billow Co.
Bissler & Sons Funeral Home and Crematory
628 West Main Street
Kent, Ohio 4420
(330) 673-5857
The Billow Co.
Summit Simple Cremation
3755 Boettler Oaks Drive
Suite E-2
Uniontown, Ohio 44685
(330) 348-5648
Accredited Business
Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company
200 Innovation Way
Akron, Ohio 44316
(330) 796-2121
Accredited Charity
Habitat for Humanity of Summit County
2301 Romig Road
Akron, Ohio 44320
(330) 745-7734
Accredited Business
Handyman's Quality Services
1233 Kohler Avenue
Akron, Ohio 44314
(330) 414-9761
Accredited Business
Jennings Heating & Cooling
2279 Romig Road
Akron, Ohio 44320
(330) 784-1286
Accredited Business
KDCO Home Improvement
4844 S. Main Street
Akron, Ohio 44319
(330) 645-6521
Accredited Business
Stone Financial Network
1655 West Market Street
Suite 310
Akron, Ohio 44313
(330) 864-5350
Accredited Business
Summit Federal Credit Union
100 Wheeler Street
Akron, Ohio 44311
(330) 376-3626
Summit Metro Parks
F.A. Seiberling Nature Realm
1828 Smith Road
Akron, Ohio 44313
(330) 865-8065
Summit Metro Parks
Liberty Park Nature Center
9999 Liberty Road
Twinsburg, Ohio 44087
(330) 487-0493
Accredited Charity
VANTAGE Aging
388 S Main Street, Suite 325
Akron, Ohio 44311
(330) 253-4597
Age-friendly partners
Summit County Executive Ilene Shaprio
Learn more
Direction Home Area Agency on Aging & Disabilities
Learn more
VANTAGE Aging
Learn moregood to know
FAQs
Accredited businesses and charities in Summit County, Ohio are eligible for the Akron-Summit Age-Friendly program.
This program is a free benefit of BBB Accreditation.
Yes, however business and charities must be BBB Accredited before applying for the program. You can apply for BBB Accreditation and for the age-friendly program at the same time, but your age-friendly application will be placed on a hold, pending the outcome of your Accreditation application.
Business and charities should maintain a clean, clear and easily accessible facility with adequate lighting and low noise levels.
Are the parking lots, stairs or other exterior walking services free from debris and trip hazards?
Is the public entryway easy to access with ease to open, slow close or automatic doors?
Is the business lighting adequate for safety and sufficient to read materials?
Is there loud music or a lot of background noise in the business?
Is the facility designed to maximize safety and accessibility with clearly marked stairs, drops, and change in floor elevation?
Is there seating inside for customers to rest?
Are there clearly marked restrooms available for customers?
Are aisles easy for people with wheelchairs & scooters, to navigate?
Is the text on print materials easy to read with 12-point font and high-contract color combinations?
What material(s) do you send out and how are you sending them? Email or tranditional mail?
Is the interior & exterior signage clear and easy to follow?
Are senior discounts offered? Special rates or offers?
Is the website easy to navigate?
Is staff easy to identify?
Is staff welcoming and courteous?
Did staff offer assistance with shopping – i.e. reach items, loading car, etc.?
Are customers greeted upon entering or during visits?
Are staff prepared to be engaged and readily available to assist?
How do you communicate with your customer?
How do you adapt your communication for older adults?