Understanding the Age-Friendly Cities and Communities Questionnaire (AFCCQ)
The Age-Friendly Cities and Communities Questionnaire (AFCCQ) is a key tool for researchers and policymakers focused on improving the lives of older adults. Developed in 2020 by a group including The Hague University of Applied Sciences, it offers a consistent way to numerically evaluate how age-friendly a city or community is. Unlike older methods, the AFCCQ provides a quantitative measure for tracking changes and evaluating programs over time. Its development used strict, evidence-based methods to ensure it is accurate and trustworthy.
Why a Quantitative Tool is Important
Before the AFCCQ, assessing age-friendliness often relied on less standardized methods. As the number of older adults globally grows, there's a strong need for data-driven urban planning. A standardized tool like the AFCCQ helps by:
- Setting Benchmarks: Allows cities to measure their age-friendliness initially and track progress.
- Comparisons: Makes it possible to compare age-friendliness between different cities nationally and internationally.
- Finding Priorities: Helps identify which areas need the most attention and funding.
- Evaluating Policies: Provides a way to see the effect of new age-friendly initiatives.
The Eight Areas from the WHO Model
The AFCCQ is based on the World Health Organization's (WHO) framework for Age-Friendly Cities. It looks at how older people experience eight main areas important for an age-friendly place. These are:
- Outdoor Spaces and Buildings: Looks at how easy and safe public areas and buildings are to use.
- Transportation: Checks if public transport is available, affordable, and easy for older adults to use.
- Housing: Assesses if there are enough affordable and suitable homes for older people.
- Social Participation: Measures if there are opportunities for older adults to join social activities and avoid loneliness.
- Respect and Social Inclusion: Evaluates if older people feel respected and included in the community.
- Civic Participation and Employment: Explores chances for older people to volunteer, work, and participate in local government.
- Communication and Information: Checks if older adults can easily access important information.
- Community Support and Health Services: Assesses the quality and availability of health and social services for older people.
An Extra Area: Money Matters
Beyond the WHO's eight areas, the AFCCQ also looks at financial situation. This is included because having enough money is crucial for older adults to access services and participate in community life.
Comparing the AFCCQ to Other Tools
The AFCCQ provides unique insights compared to other assessment methods. The table below shows how it differs from the traditional WHO Checklist and the AARP Livability Index:
| Feature | Age-Friendly Cities and Communities Questionnaire (AFCCQ) | WHO Age-Friendly Cities Checklist | AARP Livability Index |
|---|---|---|---|
| Measurement Type | Quantitative | Qualitative checklist | Composite score |
| Data Source | Older people's direct feedback | City officials' self-reporting | Pre-existing data |
| Benefit | Captures lived experience numerically for tracking | Provides assessment roadmap | Offers a quick snapshot |
| Limitation | Needs cultural validation | Can lack rigor | Doesn't capture subjective experience |
How it's Used and Validated
Implementing the AFCCQ involves translating it accurately and making sure it fits the local culture. Statistical tests are also done to confirm its structure and reliability. Once ready, it is given to a group of older adults to gather initial data.
Using Results to Guide Action
To make results easy to understand for everyone, especially policymakers, a color-coding system is often used. This visually shows areas where older residents are satisfied (e.g., green) and areas needing immediate action (e.g., red). This helps stakeholders quickly see key issues and decide where to focus resources.
Looking Ahead and Global Use
Validating the AFCCQ in different countries is important to ensure it works well everywhere, accounting for cultural factors. Global relevance is supported by validation work in places like Turkey and Poland. To learn more about the Age-Friendly Cities concept, visit the {Link: WHO World Health Organization https://extranet.who.int/agefriendlyworld/} website.
