WHO Age-Friendly Indicator: A Comprehensive Guide to Assessment

By 2050, the number of people aged 60 and older is projected to more than double globally, reaching over two billion. In response to this demographic shift, the World Health Organization (WHO) developed a framework using a WHO age-friendly indicator to help cities and communities assess and improve their environments for older adults. Understanding these indicators is crucial for fostering inclusive and supportive communities where people can age well.

Quick Summary

The World Health Organization uses eight interconnected domains to measure the age-friendliness of cities and communities. These indicators cover various aspects of urban life, including outdoor spaces, transportation, housing, social participation, and health services. This framework provides a tool for assessing and improving environments to support the health, well-being, and participation of older adults. It is part of the WHO's Global Network for Age-Friendly Cities and Communities initiative.

Key Points

• Eight Domains: The WHO framework evaluates age-friendliness across eight domains: outdoor spaces, transportation, housing, social participation, respect, civic participation, communication, and health services.

• Holistic Assessment: The framework provides a comprehensive evaluation of both the physical and social environments within a community.

• Community Engagement: For effective assessment, older people must be involved in evaluating and implementing changes to ensure indicators align with their experiences.

• Measurable Progress: Using indicators allows cities to establish baselines, monitor progress, and evaluate the effectiveness of their age-friendly initiatives over time.

• Promotes Well-being: Environments with higher age-friendly indicator scores have been linked to better self-rated health and overall well-being among older adults.

• Global Network: The WHO supports a Global Network for Age-friendly Cities and Communities to facilitate information exchange and best practices.

The World Health Organization's age-friendly framework is a comprehensive approach to evaluating how well a community's physical and social environment supports its older residents. The assessment relies on a series of age-friendly indicators, which are measurable components within eight core domains of urban life. These domains are interconnected, meaning improvements in one area, such as transportation, can positively impact another, like social participation. By using these indicators, cities can establish a baseline, set goals, and monitor progress over time.

The Eight Domains of the WHO Age-Friendly Indicator Framework

Outdoor Spaces and Buildings

This domain focuses on the accessibility and safety of public spaces. Indicators include well-maintained parks with seating, safe and well-lit streets, accessible public buildings, and clear signage.

Transportation

Reliable, affordable, and accessible transportation is vital for older adults' independence and participation. Indicators assess public transport availability, accessibility features, specialized services, and the safety of the overall transport network.

Housing

Age-friendly housing indicators assess the availability and suitability of housing options. This includes a variety of affordable options, proximity to essential services and transport, and features that enhance home safety.

Social Participation

This domain measures opportunities for social engagement to combat social isolation. Indicators include participation in social and cultural activities, intergenerational programs, and the accessibility of social venues.

Respect and Social Inclusion

This domain assesses how a community respects and includes its older residents. It evaluates intergenerational interaction, feelings of being valued, and public attitudes towards older people.

Civic Participation and Employment

This area focuses on opportunities for older adults to remain active contributors. Indicators examine the availability of volunteer roles, civic engagement, and age-friendly employment options.

Communication and Information

Timely and accessible information is critical. This domain uses indicators to assess how well a community disseminates information, focusing on clear language, appropriate formatting, and accessible information points.

Community Support and Health Services

This final domain measures the quality and availability of health and social services. Indicators evaluate access to primary care, affordable food programs, preventive health services, and long-term care options. Research links accessible services to better self-rated health among older adults.

Comparison of Age-Friendly Indicators and Measurement

Feature	WHO Age-Friendly Indicators (General Framework)	AARP Age-Friendly Community Surveys (Example Measurement)
Purpose	To provide a comprehensive framework for assessing age-friendliness across multiple interconnected domains.	To empirically test and measure perceptions of age-friendliness based on the WHO framework, often using a survey methodology.
Domains	Defines eight interconnected domains: Outdoor Spaces, Transportation, Housing, Social Participation, Respect, Civic Participation, Communication, and Services.	Adapts the eight WHO domains into specific survey questions, using examples like park benches, affordable housing, and volunteer opportunities.
Methodology	Outlines the thematic areas for assessment and suggests indicators for measuring input, output, and outcomes.	Uses survey questions with a 6-point scale to quantify perceptions of age-friendliness across the domains.
Data Sources	Can use a mix of qualitative and quantitative data, including feedback from older people, local statistics, and policy documents.	Primarily relies on survey data collected from older adults residing in the community.
Application	Guides cities in strategic planning and implementing broad, multi-sectoral initiatives.	Provides reliable, measurable data for community needs assessments and evaluating the effectiveness of age-friendly initiatives.
Output	A checklist of features and guidelines for community action and discussion.	Empirical results that correlate age-friendly features with outcomes like self-rated health.

Conclusion

The WHO age-friendly indicator is a framework for improving the quality of life for older adults. By measuring progress across eight domains, communities can create better environments for everyone.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the primary purpose of a WHO age-friendly indicator?

The primary purpose is to help cities and communities assess and evaluate how well their physical and social environments support the health, well-being, and participation of older adults.

How many domains are there in the WHO age-friendly framework?

There are eight interconnected domains in the WHO age-friendly framework: outdoor spaces and buildings, transportation, housing, social participation, respect and social inclusion, civic participation and employment, communication and information, and community support and health services.

Why is transportation a key age-friendly indicator?

Transportation is a key indicator because it directly impacts an older person's ability to remain independent and connected to their community. Accessible and affordable transport options prevent social isolation and allow access to vital services.

How is the 'respect and social inclusion' indicator measured?

The 'respect and social inclusion' indicator is measured by evaluating how older adults feel valued and included in their communities. This includes examining intergenerational relationships and community attitudes, often through surveys and focus groups.

Can the age-friendly indicators be adapted for different community types?

Yes, the indicators are designed to be adaptable. While the eight domains are consistent, the specific metrics and evaluation methods can be tailored to fit the unique characteristics and priorities of different communities, whether urban or rural.

Do age-friendly communities require new policies and services?

Creating an age-friendly community often involves both reinforcing existing services and implementing new initiatives. An initial community assessment using the WHO indicators helps identify specific gaps and opportunities to focus on.

What role do older adults play in the assessment process?

Older adults are crucial, not just as subjects but as active partners in the assessment process. Their input ensures that the indicators and planned improvements are relevant and truly reflect their lived experience.