What is the age-friendly movement? A global effort for livable communities

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the United States will have more people aged 65 or older than those under 18 by 2034. The age-friendly movement is a coordinated global effort, backed by the World Health Organization (WHO), to proactively address this demographic shift by making communities more welcoming and inclusive for residents of all ages, especially older adults.

Quick Summary

The age-friendly movement is a worldwide initiative, spearheaded by the World Health Organization and supported in the U.S. by AARP, that focuses on creating livable, equitable, and inclusive communities where people can thrive at every stage of life. It encourages local governments and organizations to improve infrastructure, services, and social environments to better accommodate a growing aging population.

Key Points

• Global Initiative: Led by the World Health Organization, the age-friendly movement creates livable communities that support healthy and active aging.

• Eight Core Domains: The WHO identifies eight areas for improvement, including transportation, housing, and social participation, to build more inclusive environments.

• Multi-Generational Benefits: Initiatives that help older adults, such as better sidewalks and public transit, also benefit families with children and people with disabilities.

• Action-Oriented Process: Communities typically perform an assessment, create an action plan based on resident feedback, and then implement and monitor changes.

• Health Systems Focus: A specific branch of the movement, the Age-Friendly Health Systems initiative, works to improve care for older adults using the "4Ms" framework: What Matters, Medication, Mentation, and Mobility.

• AARP's Role: In the U.S., AARP spearheads the network of age-friendly states and communities, providing resources and guidance for local efforts.

Origins and Expansion of the Age-Friendly Movement

The age-friendly movement began in 2006 when the World Health Organization (WHO) launched its Global Network for Age-friendly Cities and Communities to help cities create environments supporting active and healthy aging. In the United States, organizations like AARP have played a key role, with the AARP Network of Age-Friendly States and Communities supporting hundreds of local initiatives.

The WHO's Eight Domains of Age-Friendliness

The WHO developed a framework with eight key domains to guide communities in creating age-friendly environments. These domains are detailed on the {Link: World Health Organization website https://extranet.who.int/agefriendlyworld/age-friendly-cities-framework/}.

Age-Friendly in Practice: From Vision to Action

Becoming an age-friendly community involves assessing local needs, creating an action plan based on feedback, and implementing and monitoring changes. Implementation examples range from improving transportation to developing affordable housing.

A Comparative Look at Urban vs. Rural Initiatives

Age-friendly strategies adapt to different community characteristics. See the table below for a comparison of typical initiatives in urban versus rural settings.

Feature	Urban Age-Friendly Initiatives	Rural Age-Friendly Initiatives
Transportation	Enhancing public transit accessibility, implementing on-demand ride services, and improving pedestrian infrastructure.	Establishing volunteer driver networks, subsidizing specialized transit for medical appointments, and ensuring transportation to community hubs.
Social Participation	Creating and revitalizing community centers, expanding intergenerational programs in libraries and schools, and promoting cultural activities.	Leveraging community centers, faith-based organizations, and local gatherings to combat social isolation; using technology to connect residents.
Housing	Increasing accessible and affordable housing options through density bonuses for senior housing and promoting universal design.	Focusing on home modification programs to help older adults age in place and supporting accessory dwelling units (ADUs).
Communication	Using online portals, social media, and community newsletters to disseminate information.	Relying more on local newspapers, radio, bulletin boards, and phone trees to reach residents.

The Broad Benefits of an Age-Friendly Approach

Creating age-friendly communities benefits everyone, not just older adults. Improvements in transportation and public spaces help people of all ages and abilities. Intergenerational activities and civic participation leverage the knowledge of older residents. The economic contributions of older residents also benefit the local economy. This approach leads to more vibrant, equitable, and resilient communities.

The Role of the Age-Friendly Health Systems Initiative

The Age-Friendly Health Systems initiative focuses on improving healthcare for older adults using the "4Ms" framework. The 4Ms are:

• What Matters: Aligning care with an older adult's goals.
• Medication: Ensuring medications don't negatively impact health or mobility.
• Mentation: Addressing delirium, dementia, and depression.
• Mobility: Encouraging safe movement daily.

This healthcare-focused initiative complements broader community efforts.

Conclusion: A Movement for All Generations

The age-friendly movement is a proactive response to demographic shifts, creating more inclusive communities by focusing on the WHO's eight domains and fostering collaboration. The resulting improvements benefit people of all ages, creating communities where residents can thrive throughout life.

For more information on the World Health Organization's role and resources, visit the Age-Friendly World website.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the age-friendly movement?

The age-friendly movement is a global initiative focused on making cities and communities better places to grow old. It involves adapting physical structures and services to be more inclusive and responsive to the needs of an aging population, which benefits all residents.

Who started the age-friendly movement?

The age-friendly movement was started by the World Health Organization (WHO) in 2006 with the establishment of its Global Network for Age-friendly Cities and Communities.

What are the key areas of focus in an age-friendly community?

The WHO's framework for age-friendly communities includes eight key domains, which are detailed on the {Link: WHO website https://extranet.who.int/agefriendlyworld/age-friendly-cities-framework/}.

How do communities join the age-friendly movement?

To become officially age-friendly, a community typically joins a network like the WHO's Global Network or the AARP Network in the U.S. They commit to assessing their current status, creating a community-driven action plan, and implementing changes.

Does the age-friendly movement only benefit older adults?

No, age-friendly communities are more welcoming and livable for people of all ages. Improvements like better public transit, safer sidewalks, and accessible housing benefit everyone, from parents with strollers to people with disabilities.

What is an Age-Friendly Health System?

An Age-Friendly Health System is a specific initiative within the movement that focuses on reliably providing high-quality, evidence-based care to all older adults. It is based on the '4Ms' framework: What Matters, Medication, Mentation, and Mobility.

Why is the age-friendly movement important now?

The movement is particularly important now due to significant demographic shifts, such as the rapid aging of populations globally. It provides a proactive framework for communities to address the challenges and opportunities that come with a growing number of older residents.