Understanding the WHO's Age-Friendly Framework
In 2007, the World Health Organization (WHO) developed a framework to help cities worldwide assess and improve their environments for older adults. The framework identifies eight interconnected domains of urban life that shape the experience of aging in a community. By focusing on these areas, cities can create places that foster active aging, enhance quality of life, and ensure residents can live safely and with dignity.
The eight domains of an age-friendly city
- Outdoor Spaces and Buildings: An age-friendly city ensures that public areas and buildings are accessible, safe, and pleasant for older adults. This includes well-maintained and non-slip pavements, sufficient outdoor seating, accessible public buildings with ramps and elevators, and clear signage. Good street lighting and separate cycle paths also contribute to safety and comfort.
- Transportation: Access to affordable, safe, and reliable transportation is critical for older adults to maintain independence and social connections. An age-friendly city offers a range of options, from well-designed public transit with accessible vehicles and shelters to specialized services for those with mobility challenges.
- Housing: Suitable and affordable housing options are essential for older adults who wish to age in place. This domain includes ensuring a diverse range of housing choices that are well-maintained, safe, and adaptable to changing needs. It also encompasses policies that support home modifications and the availability of accessible housing near services.
- Social Participation: Opportunities for social, cultural, and recreational activities are vital for an older person's health and well-being. Age-friendly communities provide accessible, affordable, and inclusive activities that promote social interaction and reduce isolation. This often involves intergenerational programs and activities that appeal to diverse interests.
- Respect and Social Inclusion: This domain focuses on fostering a positive image of aging and ensuring older adults feel valued and respected within the community. It involves actively combating ageism, celebrating the contributions of seniors, and creating intergenerational and multicultural understanding. This is a core aspect of creating a truly inclusive community.
- Civic Participation and Employment: Many older adults want to remain engaged through paid work or volunteering. An age-friendly city provides opportunities for mature job seekers, promotes age-friendly business practices, and supports older adults in sharing their skills and experience. It encourages older residents to participate in decision-making bodies and civic life.
- Communication and Information: Accessible and user-friendly communication is essential for older adults to stay informed and connected. This includes providing information in multiple formats, ensuring clear and large-print materials, and offering staff training on how to communicate effectively with older people. Information about community events and services should be widely distributed and easy to find.
- Community Support and Health Services: This domain involves ensuring older adults have access to affordable, coordinated, and high-quality health and social services. It covers a range of needs, from disease prevention and health promotion initiatives to long-term care support and home-based services. Well-located and accessible facilities are a key component.
Age-Friendly vs. Non-Age-Friendly City Attributes: A Comparison
To highlight the importance of the WHO's domains, the following table compares key attributes of an age-friendly city with those of a less age-friendly environment.
| Attribute | Age-Friendly City | Non-Age-Friendly City |
|---|---|---|
| Outdoor Spaces | Well-lit sidewalks with rest benches and clear signage; parks with accessible paths. | Cracked pavements with trip hazards; limited or poorly maintained public seating. |
| Transportation | Affordable and accessible public transit with trained, helpful drivers; safe walking routes. | Limited transit options; lack of seating at bus stops; inaccessible vehicles. |
| Housing | Diverse, affordable, and accessible housing options; policies that support aging in place. | Steep costs, limited affordable options; housing that is difficult to modify for changing needs. |
| Social Inclusion | Intergenerational programs and diverse social activities; public campaigns against ageism. | Segregated social activities; persistent ageist attitudes; older adults feeling invisible. |
| Employment | Encourages hiring and retaining older workers; provides resources for mature job seekers. | Age-based discrimination in hiring; limited job resources for older adults. |
| Communication | Information delivered in clear, simple language via multiple channels; helpful, trained staff. | Inaccessible digital content; complicated forms; unhelpful or untrained staff. |
Practical examples of age-friendly actions
Making a city age-friendly involves practical, actionable steps. For example, enhancing public spaces can involve installing benches at regular intervals along walking paths and ensuring pedestrian crossings provide enough time for older adults to cross safely. In terms of transportation, a city might offer reduced transit fares for seniors or implement a volunteer-based driver program.
To promote social participation, a city could support local libraries in offering age-inclusive programming or create intergenerational community gardens. In the civic participation domain, creating opportunities for older adults to serve on advisory boards helps incorporate their voices into local planning. On the communication front, ensuring city websites meet accessibility standards and that vital information is published in large-print format addresses a key need.
These seemingly small changes add up to create a profound impact on the daily lives of older residents, fostering an environment where they feel safe, respected, and fully included.
The ripple effect of age-friendly policies
Investing in these domains doesn't just benefit older residents; it improves livability for everyone. Creating a city with better transportation and safer streets is beneficial for people with disabilities, parents with strollers, and all pedestrians. Similarly, accessible buildings and outdoor spaces with clear signage benefit all citizens, not just seniors.
By adopting an age-friendly approach, cities demonstrate a commitment to healthy aging and social equity. This holistic perspective leads to more cohesive, supportive, and vibrant communities. When cities plan for the needs of their oldest citizens, they are, in fact, planning for the future of all their residents.
Conclusion: Building cities for a longer, healthier life
Understanding what are the eight domains of an age friendly city is the first step toward creating truly inclusive urban environments. Developed by the WHO, this framework provides a comprehensive blueprint for cities and communities to adapt their services and structures to better meet the needs of an aging population. From improving the physical environment with accessible sidewalks and buildings to fostering social inclusion and civic engagement, each domain plays a crucial role. The result is a city that not only supports its older residents but also becomes a more livable, equitable, and vibrant place for people of all ages. Implementing this framework represents a strategic investment in the long-term health and well-being of the entire community. For more information, visit the WHO Age-friendly World website.
