AFEE Handbook

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Age-friendly environments in Europe

A handbook of domains for policy action
Age-friendly environments in Europe
A handbook of domains for policy action
Abstract

Policies to create better age-friendly environments have become a forceful movement in Europe and globally in
which a growing number of cities and communities, local authorities and regional governments participate. This
publication provides a handbook for local policy-makers and planners on eight domains for policy action. These
cover both the physical and social environment as well as community services. It builds on a WHO model of eight
domains for age-friendly cities and communities that is widely used by local governments in Europe as point of
reference.
This handbook is based on lessons learned from existing age-friendly initiatives in Europe. It thus builds on the
richness of relevant locally and regionally developed tools that are now available, as well as the latest evidence
from research. This publication links actions to create more age-friendly environments to the broader context of
European health and social policies for ageing populations. A focus is on the inter-connectedness and mutual syn-
ergies between the eight domains and how they can work together to address common goals such as increasing
social inclusion, fostering physical activity or supporting people living with dementia.

Keywords
URBAN HEALTH
AGEING
OLDER PEOPLE
INTERGENERATIONAL PROGRAMMES
VOLUNTEERS
HEALTH POLICY
EUROPE
ISBN 978 92 890 5288 7

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Contents
List of figures, boxes and tables................................................................................................... vi
Foreword........................................................................................................................................ vii
Acknowledgements.......................................................................................................................viii
Introduction...................................................................................................................................... 1
Healthy ageing: a priority for Europe..............................................................................................................2
Supportive environments: a European and global movement.........................................................................2
Aim and objectives of the AFEE project.........................................................................................................3
Target audience.............................................................................................................................................3
Methodology.................................................................................................................................................4
How age-friendly environments unlock the potential of healthy ageing...........................................................5
How local governments create age-friendly environments..............................................................................7
Supportive physical environments..................................................................................................................7
Participatory and inclusive social environments..............................................................................................8
The role of municipal and local government services.....................................................................................8
Cross-cutting themes that link between domains..........................................................................................8
Trends of demographic ageing in Europe.....................................................................................................12
Patterns of ageing by broad geographical region in Europe.........................................................................12
Domain 1: outdoor environments................................................................................................ 14

iii
Introduction.................................................................................................................................................15
Strategic directions for policy interventions..................................................................................................15
Barrier-free public spaces and buildings accessible and usable by people with impairments........................16
Support for community interaction and personal independence...................................................................17
Places to be and to stay outdoors...............................................................................................................19
Urban environments that support belonging, continuity and sense of self....................................................20
Policy interventions and initiatives by action area and objective....................................................................21
Resources and toolkits................................................................................................................................24
Further reading............................................................................................................................................24
Domain 2: transport and mobility................................................................................................ 26

Introduction.................................................................................................................................................27
Infrastructure for active mobility and walkability............................................................................................29
Public transport...........................................................................................................................................30
On-demand services and other support to improve mobility........................................................................31
Further reading............................................................................................................................................35
Domain 3: housing......................................................................................................................... 38
Introduction.................................................................................................................................................39
Combating inequity through improved housing............................................................................................41
Support for home assessments, repair, maintenance and adaptation..........................................................42
Setting and enforcing standards for newly built houses................................................................................43
Creating broader housing choices that support independence....................................................................44
Alternative models of living: collaboration with private and user-driven initiatives..........................................46
Support for relocation..................................................................................................................................47
Security and safety, including crime prevention............................................................................................47
Further reading............................................................................................................................................52
Domain 4: social participation...................................................................................................... 54

Introduction.................................................................................................................................................55
A range of opportunities for social participation accessible for older people.................................................57
Supportive environments for social exchange in the community..................................................................59
Lifelong learning..........................................................................................................................................60
Further reading............................................................................................................................................66
Domain 5: social inclusion and non-discrimination................................................................... 68

Introduction.................................................................................................................................................69
Respect and non-discrimination..................................................................................................................71
Combating social exclusion.........................................................................................................................73
iv Targeted action for individuals in vulnerable situations..................................................................................74
Social capital and neighbourhood cohesion.................................................................................................77
Intergenerational spaces and activities.........................................................................................................78
Further reading............................................................................................................................................82
Domain 6: civic engagement and employment.......................................................................... 84

Introduction.................................................................................................................................................85
Engagement in political life and decision-making.........................................................................................86
Economic life and employment....................................................................................................................87
Engagement in public life: co-creation and volunteering...............................................................................89
Further reading............................................................................................................................................94
Domain 7: communication and information................................................................................ 96

Introduction.................................................................................................................................................97
Age-friendly information...............................................................................................................................98
A clearing house for health- and ageing-related information.........................................................................99
Improving health literacy............................................................................................................................100
Addressing the digital gap.........................................................................................................................101
Policy interventions and initiatives by action area and objective..................................................................102
Resources and toolkits..............................................................................................................................105
Further reading..........................................................................................................................................106
Domain 8: community and health services............................................................................... 108

Introduction...............................................................................................................................................109
Strategic directions for policy interventions................................................................................................109
Community action for coordination and integrated care provision..............................................................110
Health services, including health promotion and prevention services..........................................................111
Home care and support for informal care...................................................................................................111
Residential care facilities............................................................................................................................113
Ambient assisted living and “ICT for ageing well” services..........................................................................113
Emergency planning and disaster preparedness........................................................................................116
Policy interventions and initiatives by action area and objective..................................................................117
Resources and toolkits..............................................................................................................................118
Further reading..........................................................................................................................................119
Glossary and references............................................................................................................. 122

Glossary....................................................................................................................................................123
References................................................................................................................................................125
v
List of figures, boxes and tables
Figures
Fig. 1. Framework of the AFEE project.................................................................................................................... 1
Fig. 2. Pathways to health and well-being for older people...................................................................................... 5
Fig. 3. Public health framework for healthy ageing: opportunities for public health action across the life-course...... 6
Fig. 4. Risk factor model for falls in older age......................................................................................................... 10
Fig. 5. Patterns of ageing by broad geographical region in Europe........................................................................ 13
Fig. 6. A conceptual model for ICT/AAL applications........................................................................................... 114
Boxes
Box 1. Age-friendly cities and communities.............................................................................................................. 3
Box 2. Preventing elder abuse and ensuring high-quality services in the EU.......................................................... 11
Box 3. Oslo’s common principles for universal design............................................................................................ 17
Box 4. Case study: designing outdoor spaces to become dementia-friendly neighbourhoods for life.................... 18
Box 5. Perspectives from the public transport sector............................................................................................. 30
Box 6. Case study: Cyclopousse, Lyon.................................................................................................................. 32
Box 7. Applying WELHOPS guidelines in the City of Gyoer, Hungary..................................................................... 43
Box 8. Health has no age – a comprehensive settings approach for health promotion in residential homes.......... 45
Box 9. No alla solit’Udine [No to loneliness]: a network of volunteering action in the city of Udine, Italy................. 58
Box 10. The Slovenian Third Age University........................................................................................................... 61
Box 11. Experience from existing European Commission initiatives....................................................................... 61
vi Box 12. Forms of social exclusion in later life......................................................................................................... 70
Box 13. Healthy ageing and social exclusion in rural areas..................................................................................... 74
Box 14. Dementia-friendly communities combat stereotypes about dementia....................................................... 76
Box 15. Combating loneliness and reaching out to those people most at risk in Milan, Italy.................................. 78
Box 16. What works in facilitating older people’s ability to stay active in employment............................................ 88
Box 17. Actively recruiting volunteers in the city of Horsens, Denmark................................................................... 90
Box 18. Let us be active! Social inclusion of older people through volunteering in three Baltic cities...................... 90
Box 19. Silver Line helpline for older people in the United Kingdom..................................................................... 100
Box 20. Local initiatives in Germany to implement the national action plan IN FORM.......................................... 101
Box 21. Services of early support to promote independent living in Kuopio, Finland............................................ 112
Box 22. T
elesupport at home: improving access to services and combating social isolation in
Maltepe municipality, Turkey................................................................................................................... 115
Box 23. Guidance on helping older people in emergencies.................................................................................. 117
Tables
Table 1. Practice examples for outdoor environments from local age-friendly action plans and assessments........ 22
Table 2. Practice examples for transport and mobility from local age-friendly action plans and assessments........ 32
Table 3. Practice examples for housing from local age-friendly action plans and assessments.............................. 48
Table 4. Practice examples for social participation from local age-friendly action plans and assessments............. 63
Table 5. P
ractice examples for social inclusion and non-discrimination from local age-friendly action plans
and assessments...................................................................................................................................... 79
Table 6. P
ractice examples for civic engagement and employment from local age-friendly action plans
and assessments...................................................................................................................................... 91
Table 7. P
ractice examples for communication and information from local age-friendly action plans
and assessments.................................................................................................................................... 103
Table 8. P
ractice examples for community and health services from local age-friendly action plans
and assessments.................................................................................................................................... 117
Foreword
As people become older, the neighbourhoods and communities in which they live become more important. Age-
friendly environments empower people so that they can continue to lead independent lives in good health, stay
engaged in their communities and remain socially included and active in different roles: as neighbours, friends,
family members, colleagues and volunteers.
Many cities and communities in Europe have led the way and shown how policies at different levels of local
government can make a difference to the health and well-being of our ageing populations in the WHO European
Region, which has the highest median age among all WHO regions.
The WHO Regional Office for Europe has a long track record of supporting this movement by providing evidence
on how physical and social environments can support people to lead healthy lives, working closely with members
of the European Healthy Cities Network and, more recently, with the WHO Global Network of Age-friendly Cities
and Communities.
Age-friendly policies contribute to the achievement of a number of Sustainable Development Goals, ensuring
healthy lives and promoting well-being for all at all ages – “leaving no one behind” – and working towards vii
sustainable cities and communities. These policy principles are also core principles of Health 2020, the WHO
policy framework for health and well-being in Europe. As strategic directions, they are vital for implementing
WHO’s European and global strategies and action plans on ageing and health.
This handbook provides a welcome update for the framework of the WHO publication Global age-friendly cities:
a guide, which is used widely in Europe and globally. It adapts the guide’s core principles and domains for action
to the Europe-specific context and experience.
The handbook is the outcome of a joint project between the European Commission’s Directorate-General for
Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion and the WHO Regional Office for Europe. It has greatly profited from the
cooperation with WHO’s partners in the European Innovation Partnership on Active and Healthy Ageing and with
members of the European Healthy Cities Network.
We at the WHO Regional Office for Europe hope that this handbook will provide inspiration and guidance for
politicians and practitioners to join the movement for age-friendly, healthy cities or to continue developing new
innovative practice to improve the health and living situations of senior citizens in Europe.
Zsuzsanna Jakab
WHO Regional Director for Europe
Foreword
Acknowledgements
Many external experts and WHO staff members con- The following WHO staff members contributed to this
tributed to the development of this handbook and publication by participating in project meetings and
the authors are very grateful for their support and discussions and providing comments and input: John
guidance. Beard, Matthias Braubach, Joao Breda, Casimiro
Dias, Jo Jewell, Tina Kiaer, Alana Officer, Francesca
The handbook is indebted to the work of experts in Racioppi, Christian Schweizer, Dinesh Sethi, Agis
member cities of the WHO European Healthy Cities Tsouros, Lisa Warth, Yongjie Yon and Isabel Yordi
Network and its Healthy Ageing Task Force. Case Aguirre.
studies submitted for evaluation in phase V (2009–
2013) of the European Healthy Cities movement pro- The following experts contributed to individual
vided a rich source of evidence for mapping policy chapters:
actions to age-friendly domains. The authors would
also like to thank the members of the WHO Global Introduction: Geoff Green;
Network of Age-friendly Cities and Communities, Domain 1: outdoor environments: Markus Grant;
who shared their strategies, action plans and prog- Domain 2: transport and mobility: Adrian Davis;
ress reports with WHO and made them available on Domain 3: housing: Matthias Braubach;
the public “Age-friendly world” ePortal of the Global Domain 4: social participation: Christine Broughan;
viii Network. Domain 5: social inclusion and non-discrimination:
Christopher Phillipson and Thomas Scharf;
The Age-friendly environments in Europe (AFEE) proj- Domain 8: community and health services: Rodd
ect was developed in close cooperation with a par- Bond and Kai Leichsenring.
allel European Commission project called Thematic
Network on Innovation for Age-Friendly Environments Thanks are also due to the coordinators of the AFEE
(AFE-INNOVNET), and we thank Christina pilots, whose comments and experiences were crucial
Dziewanska-Stringer, Willeke van Staalduinen, Julia to improving this handbook:
Wadoux and Anne-Sophie Parent for their coopera-
tion and coordination. • Anne Berit Rafoss (City of Oslo, Norway);
• Elma Greer (Healthy Ageing Partnership, Belfast,
The AFEE project was supported by the following United Kingdom) and Anne McCusker (Belfast
members of its scientific steering board: Rodd Bond, Healthy Cities, United Kingdom);
June Crown, Evelyne de Leeuw, Mireia Ferri Sanz, • Furio Honsell and Stefania Pascut (City of Udine,
Harriet Finne-Soveri, Geoffrey Green, Paul McGarry, Italy);
Bozidar Voljc, Asghar Zaidi and Gianna Zamarro. • Ikbal Polat, Kadıköy Akademi (Kadıköy Municipality,
Turkey);
Very valuable comments and support were also • Judith Kurth (Stoke-on-Trent City Council, United
received from members of the AFEE steering com- Kingdom);
mittee: Susanne Iwarsson, Clive Needle, Karoline • Katazyna Ziemann (Gdynia, Poland);
Noworyta, Hugh O’Connor, Anne-Sophie Parent, • Nikola Tilgale-Platace (Department of Welfare, Riga
Setsuko Saya and Julia Wadoux. City Council, Latvia).
A special thank you is due to the following external Natalie Turner supported the management of AFEE
reviewers and commenters: Alzheimer Europe, Tine pilots and summarizing of results. Janneke T. de Wildt
Buffel, Giovanni Lamura and Kai Leichsenring. provided support with compiling key facts and Caroline
Bergeron provided input on dementia-friendly com- Josephine Jackisch and Manfred Huber were the lead
munities. Special thanks also go to the contributors authors of this handbook, supported by Casimiro Dias
of case studies included in this publication: Stefania and Yongjie Yon, all at the WHO Regional Office for
Pascut, Furio Honsell and Ursula Huebel. Europe.
Finally, we thank Gauden Galea, Director of the Division The project received financial support from the
of Noncommunicable Diseases and Promoting Health European Commission Directorate-General for
through the Life-Course of the WHO Regional Office for Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion, contribution
Europe, for his encouragement and support through- agreement no. VS/2013/0260.
out the AFEE project.
ix
Acknowledgements
x
Introduction
Age-friendly environments in Europe. A handbook of domains for policy action

Introduction
This chapter presents an introduction and overview Age-friendly environments aim to encourage active and
of the Age-friendly Environments in Europe (AFEE) healthy ageing by optimizing health, stimulating inclu-
handbook, created through a joint project between sion and enabling well-being in older age. They adapt
the European Commission’s Directorate-General for physical environments, social environments and munic-
Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion and the WHO ipal services to the needs of older people with varying
Regional Office for Europe. The handbook expands capacities (see also WHO, 2015b). Fig. 1 groups the
the framework of an earlier WHO publication, Global eight domains for age-friendly action into these three
age-friendly cities: a guide (hereafter the “WHO global clusters of supportive local environments.
guide” (WHO, 2007a)), which has been widely used to
structure and inspire local government initiatives in cit- A key idea here is the “person–environment fit” coined
ies and communities around the world (WHO, 2015a). by environmental gerontology (Iwarsson, 2005). This
The original WHO global guide summarizes eight concept refers to the fact that a person’s ability to age
domains of age-friendly environments and their char- well and independently depends on the relationship
acteristics that older people identified as key features between his or her physical and mental capacity and
of an age-friendly environment. the “press” (or barriers) of his or her environment. For
example, an older person living independently in his
The AFEE project complemented this framework by or her original home may find it increasingly difficult
bringing together evidence from research and an to climb stairs due to chronic health problems or a 1
empirical analysis of community action in Europe. Its physical disability. Rather than move, however, they may
findings suggest that age-friendly environments are
most supportive if policies and projects comprehen- Fig. 1. Framework of the AFEE project
sively cover physical accessibility, social inclusion and
person-centred services.
PHYSICAL
EN
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“The population in the European Region has the ON
environments
highest median age in the world. People in many M

1. Outdoor
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European countries enjoy some of the highest life ES
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expectancies in the world… However, trends in

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within countries of the European Region continue to

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AGE
WHO Regional Office for Europe (2012a: 3)
FRIENDLY 3. Housing
7. Communication and ENVIRON
information
MENTS
The AFEE project also added to the WHO global guide t
en pa 4.
with a companion publication to this handbook that pro- em ent rti So
5. Social on-
g
ga m cip cia
en ploy
discrimin
vides guidance on the policy process and management i c at l

io
and n
cycle of putting in place and sustaining age-friendly Civ em n

6. and
inclusion
action (WHO Regional Office for Europe, 2016a). A

ation
complementary paper sets out how local governments

SO
CI
AL
have used indicators, monitoring and assessment to EN
V IRONM
support age-friendly policy initiatives (WHO Regional ENT
Office for Europe, 2017a).
Introduction
choose to adapt their home and reduce environmental European Commission, Committee of the Regions &
impediments by installing a stair lift or find other ways AGE Platform Europe, 2011).
to remove barriers. A number of approaches reviewed
in this handbook are based on the person–environment WHO’s overarching European policy framework for
fit concept – for example, universal design, walkability health and well-being, Health 2020, underlines the fact
or liveable communities. They all seek to reduce that cross-sectoral policy action is needed for promot-
environmental burdens so that older adults can age in ing active and healthy ageing. Health 2020’s strategic
place, age well and maintain independence. objectives include reducing inequality and providing
better governance (WHO Regional Office for Europe,
While all domains interact with each other, each is 2013a; AARP, 2015; HelpAge International, 2016).
described in a separate chapter of this handbook that Cities, communities and other local authorities play an
presents a synthesis of the evidence for policy action. important role in helping Member States achieve the
Moreover, each chapter contains a table of practical targets set by Health 2020 and in aiming at more equal
examples that show how local governments have health and well-being outcomes for ageing populations
operationalized policy interventions and initiatives in (WHO Regional Office for Europe, 2012b).
their action plans.
Supportive environments: a European
The glossary at the end of this handbook brings and global movement
together key terms on healthy ageing, mainly adopted
from the recent World report on ageing and health Supportive environments for healthy ageing contrib-
(WHO, 2015b). ute to optimizing opportunities to promote population
health over the life-course and into older age. They
Healthy ageing: a priority for Europe enhance the quality of life and well-being of every senior
citizen, whether in good, moderate or poor health, and
WHO and the European Commission recognize active free or not from disability.
2 and healthy ageing as a major societal trend, provid-
ing both challenges and opportunities. The European Over the past 10 years many cities and communities
Commission’s Innovation Union initiative gives prior- have expressed their commitment to making local
ity to active and healthy ageing as part of its broader communities more age-friendly; they have created
goals to achieve the Europe 2020 strategy objectives what has now become a European and international
of smart, sustainable and inclusive growth for the movement (Age Friendly Ireland, 2013). The WHO
European Union (EU). Improving the conditions for Global Network of Age-friendly Cities and Communities
active ageing is also among the key objectives of the is growing quickly, bringing together those who are
European Commission’s Social Investment Package committed to making their communities more age-
(European Commission, 2014a). friendly (Box 1; WHO, 2015a; 2015b). Moreover, a
number of cities in the WHO European Healthy Cities
Age-friendly, supportive environments have been sin- Network have engaged in age-friendly environment
gled out as one of four strategic areas for policy inter- initiatives (Green, 2013; Jackisch et al., 2015a). Some
ventions in the WHO strategy and action plan for healthy of these have formed the Healthy Ageing Task Force
ageing in Europe, 2012–2020 (WHO Regional Office for to work together to find innovative ways to support
Europe, 2012a). At a global level, evidence-based goals healthy ageing. The growing recognition of the rights
for investment in supportive environments are a core and needs of people living with dementia has exerted
element addressed in WHO’s World report on ageing a strong influence for a number of cities (Alzheimer’s
and health (WHO, 2015b) and subsequently endorsed Disease International, 2016).
as strategic priority area for action in the global strat-
egy and plan of action on ageing and health (WHO, Cooperation under the EIP on AHA has added
2016a). Moreover, age-friendly environments are a pri- momentum to the age-friendly environments move-
ority of the European Innovation Partnership on Active ment in Europe and has exerted a strong influence,
and Healthy Ageing (EIP on AHA), which is part of the creating new ways of cooperating and exchang-
Innovation Union initiative (EIP on AHA, 2015), and the ing practice examples between cities, communi-
European Commission has long played an active, sup- ties, regional networks and other initiatives. The
portive role in this field (AGE Platform Europe, 2012a; Thematic Network on Innovation for Age-Friendly

Box 1. Age-friendly cities and communities
An age-friendly city or community is a good place to grow old. Age-friendly cities and communities foster
healthy and active ageing and thus enable well-being throughout life. They help people to remain independent
for as long as possible, and provide care and protection when they are needed, respecting older people’s
autonomy and dignity.
Since 2010, the WHO Global Network of Age-friendly Cities and Communities has supported municipalities by:
• inspiring change and showing what can be done and how it can be done;
• supporting cities
connecting cities and communities worldwide to facilitate the exchange of information and experience;
• guidance. and communities to find solutions by providing innovative and evidence-based technical
The network included more than 250 cities and communities in 28 countries by 2015. Network members
commit to:
• engage with older people and other stakeholders across sectors;

• assess the age-friendliness of their cities and identify priorities for action;
• use the assessment findings to engage in evidence-based planning and policy-making across a range of
fields;
• adapt their structures and services to be accessible to and inclusive of older people with varying needs and
capacities.
Source: WHO, 2015b: Box 6.1 (see also WHO, 2015a).
Environments (AFE-INNOVNET) has spurred this • toareas

increase knowledge and awareness of the main
momentum by mobilizing an EU-wide community of of action for age-friendly environments and
local and regional authorities and other stakehold- what is known about policy initiatives undertaken
ers, with the goal of scaling up innovative solutions by cities, communities and other regional and local
for age-friendly environments that support active authorities;
and healthy ageing across Europe. This is now also • to summarize for local and regional authorities the
carried forward by the Covenant on Demographic main steps and processes required to become a
Change (AFE-INNOVNET, 2015a). Moreover, age- more age-friendly city or community;
friendly policies contribute to realizing the “Right to • to make recommendations on how to set up the
the City” for older people in the context of the new information systems and indicators needed for
EU Urban Agenda (AGE Platform Europe, 2016) monitoring and evaluation of age-friendly projects
and communicating them to the public.
To support their commitment, local authorities have
requested further guidance on how they can respond The AFEE project benefited from synergies with a range
to the needs of older people (EIP on AHA, 2013). The of activities on age-friendly environments – in particular
AFEE project responded to this demand and pro- in cooperation with partners under the WHO European
vided direct support to these initiatives. Healthy Cities Network, the Global Network of Age-
friendly Cities and Communities, and the EIP on AHA
(EIP on AHA, 2015) and other projects funded by the
Aim and objectives of the AFEE project
European Commission.
The aim of the AFEE project was to inspire poli-
cy-makers to take decisive action and to create Target audience
environments that are supportive of and responsive
to the needs of older people. It thus had three main The target audience for the AFEE handbook is primarily
objectives: local politicians, regional authorities, nongovernmental
Introduction
agencies and city networks engaged in policy develop- At the heart of the empirical analysis were existing age-
ment, advocacy and implementation of environments friendly strategies and action plans and a wealth of
supportive of healthy ageing. Other stakeholders reports from member cities of the European Healthy
include citizens engaged in healthy ageing initiatives, Cities Network (EHCN) that were gathered during
academia, councils and representatives of older peo- 2009–2013, including comprehensive reports for the
ple, national and subnational governments, regional EHCN Phase V report:
networks and private and third sector partners, such
as those engaged in the EIP on AHA. • strategies and action plans from European coun-
tries, complemented with innovative examples from
Methodology a number of non-European countries;
• 33 structured case studies on the topic of healthy
The WHO age-friendly city concept was created in ageing, submitted by 32 member cities of EHCN;
2006 through a project involving 33 cities worldwide, • 51 case studies presented at the EHCN’s annual
which asked older people in focus groups to describe business meetings, from 35 cities and 16 countries
the advantages and barriers they experienced in eight (including three non-EU countries);
areas of city living. This gave a voice to older people • annual reports of EHCN member cities;
and culminated in the original WHO global guide and • case studies presented at meetings of the Healthy
a checklist of characteristics that older people identi- Ageing Task Force of the EHCN;
fied as critical features within eight domains of an age- • practice examples submitted by initiatives under
friendly city (WHO, 2007a). The global initiative pro- the EIP on AHA and the AFE-INNOVNET project
vided the inspiration and a framework for age-friendly (European Commission & Funka Nu, 2013).
cities that has now become a dynamic bottom-up
movement in many countries in Europe and around the Case studies and action plans were systematically
globe. analysed and coded in the Nvivo© software for qualita-
tive analysis. Each planned or reported intervention or
4 The AFEE handbook adds to the methodology used action towards age-friendly environments was mapped
to develop the WHO global guide by shifting the focus to one or more of the eight domains, clustered around
from problem identification and demands to policy (i) physical environment, (ii) social dimensions and
action and interventions. Rather than asking older (iii) municipal services. For each action intended out-
people and other stakeholders to define age-friendly comes, mechanisms of change and context were iden-
features again, the AFEE project focused on how local tified, leading to clusters of approaches and actions
authorities have reacted to the areas and challenges under each domain. The resulting structures and lists
raised by older people and outlined in the WHO global of interventions are at the core of this AFEE handbook
guide. This handbook brings together both evidence and are summarized in tabular form at the end of each
from research behind each of the action areas and domain chapter.
experience from local action plans and strategies on
how to respond to the main points identified by older In addition to the empirical analysis, insights and evi-
people. dence from academic literature were used to com-
plement and structure the information from reports
For the latter, the AFEE project reviewed action plans, and action plans from communities. External experts
initiatives and approaches adopted by communi- conducted “reviews of reviews” of published and grey
ties and local authorities from a number of sources: literature in support of the actions and pathways identi-
the WHO Global Network of Age-friendly Cities and fied in the action plans. The literature on what is known
Communities, the WHO European Healthy Cities about pathways to health and well-being for older peo-
Network, websites from other cities and communities ple in various policy fields has grown exponentially in
and examples from EIP on AHA projects. The proj- the past 15 years, but progress in this field of research
ect thus adopted a “realist synthesis” methodology has been uneven. In general, few age-friendly projects
(de Leeuw et al., 2015; Jackisch et al., 2015a). This have systematically evaluated the impacts of their inter-
approach synthesizes evidence from different sources: ventions so that most evidence stems from more gen-
scientific and grey literature and experiential, primary eral studies in the respective fields. Some mechanisms
and secondary information. (such as those concerned with how environments can

support physical activity) are much better researched, The well-being and quality of life of older people
whereas many other fields of action currently still lack depends on ageing in good health. Health and healthy
systematic evaluation. ageing are not the absence of disease but people’s
ability to do the things they value most (Nordenfelt,
How age-friendly environments unlock 2001) – what is called “functional ability” in WHO’s pub-
the potential of healthy ageing lic health framework for healthy ageing (see Fig. 3). This
functional ability depends on the level of both physical
The AFEE handbook is based on evidence of a logic and mental health of individuals – their intrinsic capac-
pathway that begins with processes and structures ity – and the support provided by the environment in
of local governance and ends with the well-being of which a person lives and grows older (WHO, 2015b).
older people in cities and communities. The sequence
is summarized in Fig. 2. In order to foster functional ability by promoting healthy
ageing, actions thus need to go beyond a focus on dis-
This dynamic model fuses the insights of the original ease, creating systems that promote health through-
WHO global guide (WHO, 2007a) with evidence from out the life-course and support continued functioning
the literature and from WHO’s recent World report on into old age. WHO identifies local environments as key
ageing and health (WHO, 2015b). The WHO global entry-points for action to promote healthy ageing, next
guide focuses on the attributes and qualities of an to health services and long-term care services (Fig. 3;
age-friendly city or community, organized into eight WHO, 2015b).
domains. The AFEE handbook further analyses the
critical importance of these supportive environments Supportive environments are crucial across the life-
(c) in unlocking the potential of healthy ageing (e) and course for promoting healthy living and functioning
promoting well-being as a final aim (f). of individuals with less than optimal capacity. Three
Fig. 2. Pathways to health and well-being for older people

5
a. Local governance
b. Strategic actions
structures and processes
c. Attributes and qualities

d. Influence on the
of an age-friendly city in
proximal causes of health
eight domains
e. Health status f. Well-being
Introduction
principles can be drawn from the life-course approach still relevant in phases of life when health and capacity
to healthy ageing for the different phases of the life- decreases in order to maintain good functional ability
course (WHO Regional Office for Europe, 2015a). and independent living as long as possible.
• Maximize intrinsic capacity: start as early as possible.
• Maintain the peak: it is never too late for preven- Supportive environments, moreover, assure that age-re-
tion, rehabilitation and effectively managing chronic lated declines in intrinsic capacity do not translate into
conditions. similar declines of functioning. The importance of this
• Minimize loss and maximize functional ability: create pathway increases when intrinsic capacity declines.
and maintain supportive environments and develop Older people can continue to participate and live to the
integrated systems of care. fullest of their capacities when barriers in the environ-
ment are low and support is provided where capacity
Supportive environments for healthy ageing contribute is lost. A life-course approach also supports action at
by maximizing intrinsic capacity, with action that starts critical transitions (such as from work life to pension)
as early as possible. Walkable streets, for example, and when faced with sudden decline of intrinsic capac-
encourage a person to stay active and take exercise, ity (such as after a fall), offering opportunities for partici-
which promotes physical activity and health. A good pation, rehabilitation and support of lost capacity.
social environment promotes mental health and social
participation. This contributes to minimizing loss of More can be done across sectors both to improve sup-
capacity and maximizing functional ability. Many of portive environments and to provide better integrated
these strategies target people with relatively high or sta- systems of services and care for more efficiently coor-
ble levels of capacity and health. Healthy living is also dinated health and long-term care. This would ensure
Fig. 3. Public health framework for healthy ageing: opportunities for public health action across the
life-course
6
Source: WHO (2015b).

that even those with serious limitations in functioning regardless of their physical or mental abilities and
have opportunities for participation and a more active functional status. In the physical dimension it is criti-
role in families, neighbourhoods and society more gen- cal to increase awareness of the needs of people living
erally (WHO, 2015b). with limitations and ensure accessibility and safety in
all areas of the physical environment, including public
To improve the health and well-being of older people places, streets, public transport and housing.
and to increase their opportunities for active participa-
tion in society, a challenge is to reach out to those older Supportive physical environments aim to lower the dis-
people most at risk. In particular, this includes those ability threshold and help older people to find new ways
living on their own or at risk of social exclusion and of coping with reduced functional abilities. Moreover,
loneliness; thus, a focus on equity should always be physical environments are crucial to increasing health
kept in mind. and resilience over the life-course by encouraging
healthy behaviour and social interaction.
How local governments create age-
friendly environments Whether old age and early stages of reduced health
result in experience of ill health and disability depends
The bottom-up movement of age-friendly environ- to a large extent on the physical environment in which
ments has long realized the importance of acting on the person lives; this can enable people to do or prevent
supportive environments and the potential of healthy them from continuing to do the things that are important
ageing. Age-friendly communities foster healthy and to them (WHO, 2015b). It is now well established that
active ageing at the local level by adapting structures some characteristics of the physical environment can
and services to the needs of older people with varying promote health, well-being and participation (Annear et
capacities. al., 2014). Research and age-friendly assessments have
also identified a range of environmental barriers that limit
Approaches and opportunities for intervention by local older people’s opportunities to live and move around
authorities are at the core of the AFEE handbook. Fig. 1 places like home and the neighbourhood and to pursue 7
above clusters eight age-friendly domains across three interests (Gilroy, 2008; Kerr, Rosenberg & Frank, 2012).
overall guiding categories. For each domain, the AFEE
handbook identifies areas for action, the main strategic An older person with slightly reduced vision and mobil-
directions and objectives that cities and local authorities ity, for example, can feel in good health and lead an
have pursued with them and examples of policy inter- independent life if the physical environment does not
ventions and initiatives. These examples and evidence create overly high demands. This means that even if
from the literature help communities that have started feeling unsafe to drive due to impaired vision, he or she
a dialogue about barriers and opportunities with their can go out to the next shop or café at walking distance,
older members to consider strategies for intervention; or visit friends, family or activities using public transport
assess and anticipate the effectiveness and impacts of if it is easy to use, well signed, affordable and well con-
their potential policies, programmes or project interven- nected to the local area.
tions; and learn from existing experience.
Age-friendly physical environments optimize opportu-
Supportive physical environments nities for people to live healthily and actively across
the life-course and encompass different needs and
The first three domains focus on the physical compo- abilities. Among a growing number of studies and
nents of age-friendly environments: community assessments, consensus has emerged
about the main components of age-friendly physical
• domain 1: outdoor environments; environments. These include “land use and commu-
• domain 2: transport and mobility; nity design that increase social integration and reduce
• domain 3: housing. automobile dependence, a wide range of accessi-
ble and affordable housing options, multiple forms
Policy interventions and initiatives under these three of transportation and mobility supports” (Lehning et
domains have a critical role in reducing physical and al., 2010: 418). In terms of implementation of better
structural barriers to lowering the disability thresh- physical environments for ageing, the importance of
old and enabling full participation of older people, space and place for health and active ageing means
Introduction
that urban and transport planners and city developers impacts of social exclusion and discrimination for
are key actors and need to become more age-aware equity in age-friendly environments and discusses
(Gilroy, 2008). the opportunities and benefits of voluntary engage-
ment in the community and in political and economic
Participatory and inclusive social life. Addressing the social determinants of health of
environments older people requires policies across different sectors
and concerted action at all levels of government. The
The second cluster of domains covers the social Commission on Social Determinants of Health has
dimensions of age-friendly environments: confirmed that local authorities are key actors in this
respect (WHO Regional Office for Europe, 2013b).
• domain 4: social participation;
• domain 5: social inclusion and non-discrimination; The role of municipal and local
• domain 6: civic engagement and employment. government services
The social dimensions of age-friendly environments The final cluster brings together two domains that
can be highly interwoven with the domains of the phys- address how municipal and local government ser-
ical environment. Thus, age-friendly programmes usu- vices can contribute to age-friendly, supportive
ally need to address both dimensions jointly; this is one environments:
of the common themes that emerged from the work
that has led to the AFEE handbook (Menec et al., 2011; • domain 7: communication and information;
Buffel, Phillipson & Scharf, 2012; Liddle et al., 2014). • domain 8: community and health services.
The social dimensions of age-friendly environments are Municipal and local government services are critical
important for encouraging people to lead active and in ensuring communication and coordination across
healthy lives and for lowering barriers for healthy and sectors. Furthermore health, care and community ser-
8 active ageing – barriers that are sometimes less vis- vices that are delivered by the local authority to older
ible than elements of the physical environment like a people are essential for promoting healthy ageing
lack of benches or obstructed pavements. The social and enabling a dignified life. Services from all different
environment is a crucial determinant of health in older sectors and actors of the community need to be well
ages: strengthening it can help overcome barriers to integrated in order not to create unnecessarily high
older people’s active and healthy ageing and contrib- demand on older people.
ute to substantially improving health and well-being in
the population. Social networks and support, for exam- Cross-cutting themes that link between
ple, can buffer the effects of declining health on quality domains
of life and well-being by enabling those with less than
optimal health still to contribute in meaningful ways and The next subsections discuss three cross-cutting
helping them do the things that are important for them aspects and links between the domains of age-friendly
(WHO, 2015b). environments. These topics address important interim
outcomes of age-friendly community design and
Social barriers and exclusion, by contrast, can lead action, which have been identified as protective fac-
to older people being isolated involuntarily and suf- tors for active and healthy ageing, supporting people
fering from feelings of loneliness; these have a major to stay physically active and preventing falls and elder
impact on older people’s quality of life and contribute maltreatment.
to inequalities in healthy and active ageing. Creating a
better understanding of social relationships in later life Evidence is growing about the specific challenges and
and the nature of barriers for full participation, alongside what works in terms of interventions for each topic,
developing evidence-informed interventions and evalu- although much more is currently known about com-
ating them, is crucial to enhancing social participation munity action on physical activity and falls preven-
and social relationships of older adults in the future. tion than about what works for preventing elder mal-
treatment. All three topics have a range of resources
Starting from strategic interventions to promote social and tools that support their implementation. All
participation, the AFEE handbook also reviews the have received specific policy recognition as priority

interventions in the WHO strategy and action plan for walking and cycling), household chores, games, sports
healthy ageing in Europe, 2012–2020 (WHO Regional or exercise organized in the context of daily, family and
Office for Europe, 2012a) and they are also priorities community activities (WHO, 2016b).
in the EIP on AHA and in the WHO global strategy and
plan of action on ageing and health (WHO, 2016a). The physical and social environments can promote
physical activity and healthy ageing in many ways.
Promotion of physical activity Economic benefits are detailed in a WHO health eco-
The physical and social environment of a community nomic assessment tool (HEAT) (WHO Regional Office
can support increased physical activity of older people for Europe, 2014). The physical activity strategy for
in many ways (Van Holle et al., 2012; Olanrewaju et al., the WHO European Region 2016–2025 sets out three
2016). Level of physical activity is a key enabling factor objectives to improve physical activity among older
and strong predictor of healthy ageing for all groups of people: improving the quality of advice on physical
older people (WHO Regional Office for Europe, 1996; activity by health professionals; providing infrastruc-
Council of the European Union, 2013). Staying physically ture and appropriate environment; and involving older
active, however, is especially crucial for the oldest of old people in social physical activity (WHO Regional Office
age groups and for those at risk of functional decline and for Europe, 2015b). Physical activity is connected to
frailty (Cavill, Kahlmeier & Racioppi, 2006). many interventions under a number of age-friendly
policy domains:
For the adult population, physical inactivity is very high
and is one of the major risk factors for mortality. It ranked • domain 1: outdoor environments and domain 2:
fourth highest as a risk factor after high blood pressure, transport and mobility:
tobacco use and high blood sugar. Over the life-course, -- creating barrier-free public spaces and buildings
a lack of physical activity is linked to morbidity and many to improve walkability among older adults;
noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) including cardio- -- strengthening infrastructure for active mobility
vascular disease, type 2 diabetes, depression and some and walkability, including creating accessible
cancers (WHO, 2010; 2017b). walking paths with resting points, increasing 9
road safety, supporting safe cycling and devel-
Increasing physical activity can result in extending oping accessibility standards in public transport;
healthy life expectancy for older adults, while reduc- -- installing exercise equipment and areas in public
ing the impact of morbidity on public expenditure places and parks, as well as making parks more
(McPhee et al., 2016). Studies have shown that phys- accessible and safe by installing benches and
ical activity among older adults is associated with an lighting;
overall improvement in their quality of life, with bene-
fits including cardiorespiratory and muscular fitness, • domain 3: housing and domain 4: social
bone and functional health and reductions in the risk participation:
of NCDs, depression, cognitive decline (Chodzko- -- setting and enforcing standards for newly built
Zajko & Schwingel, 2009) and falls (Cavill, Kahlmeier houses, such as creating “20-minute neighbour-
& Racioppi, 2006). Physical activity interventions play hoods” with key facilities within reach of older
an important role in preventing or reducing frailty levels people’s housing within a limited time of walking
among older adults (Puts et al., 2017). or public transportation;
-- providing a range of opportunities for social par-
Despite evidence of the risks posed by physical inactiv- ticipation and physical activities that are acces-
ity for poor health, older adults engage in less physical sible for older people such as day and field trips
activity than younger adults (Hallal et al., 2012). This for older people;
gap seems to increase with age, making the promotion -- creating supportive environments for social
of physical activity an important policy intervention for exchange and places to meet, and providing
healthy ageing. Data from a 2013 Eurobarometer sur- opportunities for social contact in the commu-
vey show that inactivity levels are particularly high for nity, while combining the promotion of physical
women and men aged 55 years and older (European activity with social and cognitive activity;
Commission, 2014b). Physical activity for older adults
can include recreational or leisure-time activity (such as • domain 5: social inclusion and non-discrimination
gardening and hiking), aspects of daily mobility (such as and domain 6: civic engagement and employment:
Introduction
-- creating targeted action for individuals in vul- Rubenstein, 2006). Such injuries are costly, especially
nerable situations, such as reaching out to if falls result in femur fracture that requires hospitaliza-
excluded and isolated individuals and promot- tion and rehabilitation (Peel, Bartlett & McClure, 2007).
ing social inclusion of older people through vol- Moreover, the risk of falls is even higher for those living
untary work; in institutions. Falls are the results of a complex inter-
-- encouraging interaction between neighbours action of risk factors relating to biological, behavioural,
by providing community-based initiatives to environmental and socioeconomic factors (see Fig. 4).
promote health and well-being. An age-friendly environment can address these in a
holistic way by removing potential barriers that might
Prevention of falls cause falls while promoting physical activity to improve
Falls are the second leading cause of accidental or fitness as a protective factor against falls.
unintentional injury deaths worldwide (WHO, 2012a;
2007b). The consequences of falls among older peo- Prevention of falls is an important component of active
ple are often severe; injuries sustained from falls are ageing, and research has shown that many falls are
responsible for a large share of the burden of disease. preventable (Goodwin et al., 2014; Gillespie et al.,
In many cases, injuries from falls mark the onset of 2012). Preventive measures have been shown to be
frailty (Chodzko-Zajko & Schwingel, 2009). Falls pre- cost-effective and even cost-saving in a number of
vention is therefore a priority intervention in the WHO studies (Todd & Skelton, 2004).
strategy and action plan for healthy ageing in Europe,
2012–2020 (WHO Regional Office for Europe, 2012a). The many relevant policy interventions within each
AFEE domain include:
Falls are a common problem affecting many older
adults, as the risk and prevalence of falls increases • domain 3: housing and domain 2: transport and
steeply for higher age groups (Campbell et al., 1990; mobility:
10
Fig. 4. Risk factor model for falls in older age
Behavioural risk factors

Multiple medication use
Excess alcohol intake
Lack of excercise
Inappropriate footwear
Environmental risk factors Biological risk factors

Poor building design Falls and Age, gender and race
Slippery floors and stairs Chronic illnesses (e.g. Parkinson’s dis-
Loose rugs
fall-related ease, arthritis, osteoporosis)
Insufficient lighting injuries Physical, cognitive and
Cracked or uneven sidewalks affective capacities decline
Socioeconomic risk factors

Low income and education levels
Inadequate housing
Lack of social interactions
Limited access to health and social
services
Lack of community resources
Source: WHO (2007b).

-- supporting home assessments and modifica- problem is a crucial prerequisite for an inclusive society.
tions, including providing home hazard assess- This may include addressing fear of crime and victimiza-
ments and professionally supported evaluations tion in the neighbourhood and tackling the problem of
of fall risks; ageism through education, public awareness, engaging
-- informing and helping older people to plan for older adults in community participation and training and
ageing in place, including offering counselling support of carers. Community settings offer opportuni-
and information on grants to solve older people’s ties to raise awareness about elder maltreatment and
housing problems and help to apply for support; to improve the quality of services in the community
-- providing visiting services from specialists to find and in institutions, to adapt them better to the special
solutions and offer training on how to overcome needs of older people with functional limitations and
functional limitations; to ensure that high-quality guidelines are in place for
-- creating infrastructure for active mobility and preventing elder maltreatment (Sethi et al., 2011). This
walkability, including building accessible walk- has become a priority area for European countries, as
ing paths with resting points, water points and addressed by a number of activities (Box 2).
points of interest along the path, as well as
pedestrian streets with good lighting; Several of the age-friendly domains can contribute to
elder abuse prevention:
• domain 1: outdoor environments and domain 4:
social participation: • domain 1: outdoor environment and domain 3:
-- retrofitting public spaces and infrastructures housing:
to create barrier-free access to public places, -- creating barrier-free environments and boosting
routes, buildings and transport; environmental confidence using techniques such
-- using multilevel interventions, including combin- as “design out crime” and “passive surveillance”,
ing promotion of physical activity with social and in collaboration with local police to reduce fear of
cognitive activity. crime;
-- ensuring security and safety of older adults 11
Prevention of elder abuse through crime prevention activities, such as
Elder abuse is a common problem. It is defined as “a
single or repeated act or lack of appropriate action,
Box 2. Preventing elder abuse and ensuring
occurring within any relationship in which there is an
high-quality services in the EU
expectation of trust, that causes harm or distress to
older people” (WHO, 2002a). Like violence, elder abuse
Preventing elder abuse by ensuring high-quality care
can occur at home, in the community and in institutions
services across the EU is a priority action for the
in the form of psychological, physical, sexual and finan-
European Commission. The European Charter of the
cial abuse and neglect. It can cause injury, illness and
rights and responsibilities of older people in need of
despair, and can have serious consequences for the
long-term care and assistance was developed to set
victims, their family members and the wider commu-
out the fundamental principles and rights for those
nity. Community action to prevent elder maltreatment
dependent on others for support and care due to
has to act on all the instances where people may be
age, illness or disability.
maltreated: in their home by family members and care-
givers, or in institutions by professional staff or visitors.
The accompanying guide provides examples of
experiences and initiatives relating to the Charter.
But elder abuse is not inevitable and can be prevented
The European Quality Framework for long-term care
(WHO, 2014c). The WHO global strategy and plan of
services contributes to preventing and fighting elder
action on ageing and health (WHO, 2016a) and the
abuse. The Framework aims to improve the quality
strategy and action plan for healthy ageing in Europe,
of life for older adults in need of care and assistance
2012–2020 (WHO Regional Office for Europe, 2012a)
with a set of 11 quality principles and seven areas
call for urgent action for multisectoral collaboration and
of action, recommendations for policy-makers and a
supportive environments to address elder abuse.
methodology on how to implement them.
Abuse and neglect of older people is a gross violation Sources: AGE Platform Europe (2012b; 2012c).
of fundamental human rights; thus, addressing this
Introduction
collaborating with police on crime prevention expectancy has decreased by 1.4 years. As life expec-
programmes and organizing ambassador and tancy increases, more people live past 65 years of age,
policing initiatives in neighbourhoods that are per- many of them into very old age, greatly increasing the
ceived as unsafe; numbers of older people in the population. Meanwhile,
-- fostering the feeling of safety at home and in the the cohorts of younger people are shrinking.
neighbourhood by setting up neighbourhood
watch or friendly call initiatives to reach out to As women outlive men, Europe has the lowest ratio of
older people at risk of isolation and abuse; men to women (both current and projected) among all
world regions, although the ratio is improving. In gen-
• domain 4: social participation and domain 5: social eral, increasing sex ratios among very old people reflect
inclusion and non-discrimination: the fact that improvements in life expectancy at age 80
-- empowering older people to participate in activ- are occurring at a faster pace among males than among
ities by creating local meeting places to inform females (UN DESA, 2015b).
older people of their rights and to provide
resources to recognize and report abuse; The proportion of people aged 65 years and older in the
-- combating ageism by raising awareness and population is projected to continue to increase rapidly.
education campaigns to challenge the represen- According to UN DESA population projections, in 2010
tation of ageing, while striving to promote positive only two countries in the WHO European Region had
representations of older people in the public; more than one in five inhabitants aged 65 years and
-- creating intergenerational spaces and activities older (Germany and Italy). By 2015 this was the case
to promote intergenerational contact, mutual for six countries. By 2030 the number is expected to
understanding and exchange of values, skills and grow to around 30 countries, which is more than half of
experiences; the 53 Member States in the Region. This is projected
-- collaborating with the police force to enforce to include all but three of the current 28 Member States
prosecution of suspected perpetrators of elder of the EU (Cyprus, Ireland and Luxembourg). Moreover,
12 abuse and safeguard older people from further the older population is itself ageing: the UN DESA
victimization; European region currently has the highest proportion of
people aged 80 years and older among those 60 years
• domain 8: community and health services: and older, and this situation is projected to continue until
-- supporting carers and families with dependent around 2030 (UN DESA 2015a).
older people, including providing psychosocial
counselling, capacity-building programmes and While many people in Europe are living not only lon-
training for carers; ger but also healthier lives, there are important uncer-
-- developing strong quality control of health care tainties about future trends in the health and functional
providers, including establishing a health worker status of ageing populations (WHO Regional Office for
registry of those terminated for reasons of abuse Europe, 2012a; WHO, 2015b). For the WHO European
and fraud to help prevent abuse at home or Region as a whole, healthy life expectancy increased
institutions. by almost four years between 2000 and 2015 (from
61 to 65.5 for men and from 67.3 to 70.5 years for
Trends of demographic ageing in Europe women), according to data from the WHO Global
Health Observatory (WHO, 2017a). Results from differ-
The population of the WHO European Region had the ent data sources that use differing methodology, how-
highest median age (42 years) among all WHO regions ever, are not always consistent.
in 2015, according to United Nations Department of
Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA) Population Patterns of ageing by broad
Division estimates (UN DESA, 2015a). This has mainly geographical region in Europe
been the result of decreasing fertility rates and growing
life expectancy. From 2000 to 2015, female life expec- In 2000–2015, population ageing was an almost univer-
tancy at birth increased by 3.7 years in the European sal trend in the 53 Member States in the WHO European
Region, to 80.2 years. During the same period, men Region. Fig. 5 compares the changes in population of
gained 5.1 years of life expectancy and can now all ages with the growth in numbers of people aged
expect to live to 73.2 years; thus, the gender gap in life 65 years and older for broad geographical groups that

Fig. 5. Patterns of ageing by broad geographical region in Europe
60%
Urban
Change of population aged 65 years and over, 2000–2015
Southern Europe
Rural Western
Europe
40%
Eastern
Southern
Europe Northern Europe
Europe
20%
Western
Europe
Central and western Asia
Northern Europe
0%
20% -10% 0% 10% 20% 30% 40%
Eastern
Europe
-20%
Change of population, all ages, 2000–2015
Note: countries included in each category are as follows: central and western Asia: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Cyprus, Georgia, Israel, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan,
Tajikistan, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan; eastern Europe: Belarus, Bulgaria, Czechia, Hungary, Poland, Republic of Moldova, Romania, Russian
Federation, Slovakia, Ukraine; northern Europe: Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Iceland, Ireland, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway, Sweden, United Kingdom; southern
Europe: Albania, Andorra, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Greece, Italy, Malta, Montenegro, Portugal, San Marino, Serbia, Slovenia, Spain, the former 13
Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia; western Europe: Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Luxembourg, Monaco, Netherlands, Switzerland.
Source: calculation based on UN DESA population estimates.
follow definitions from UN DESA (2014; 2015a; 2015c). to the estimated number of people aged 65 and over
For each geographical group, population trends are in the year 2015. Of the 140 million older people in
shown separately for people living in predominantly Europe, around 99 million live in predominantly urban
urban versus predominantly rural regions. areas – more than twice as many as live in predomi-
nantly rural areas (41 million).
With the exceptions of both urban and rural areas in
those countries in central and western Asia that are The combination of population decline and ageing
Member States in the WHO European Region, the is a common trend for all the predominantly urban
numbers of older people have grown faster in all parts regional clusters, with the exception of central and
of the Region compared to the total global population western Asian countries. Population decline and age-
(depicted as lying above the line of equal growth for ing also coincided in rural areas of eastern Europe,
total versus older populations in Fig. 5). whereas all other urban clusters experienced popu-
lation growth and ageing – again, with the exception
From 2000 to 2015, population ageing was strongest of central and western Asian countries. Besides the
for both urban and rural areas in western Europe, with urban and rural western European clusters, popula-
the total rural population in western Europe declining tion ageing was strongest in urban areas of eastern
by around 11% – a greater decline than for any other Europe. On average, population ageing was stronger
regional cluster – while the number of older people in in urban than rural areas. The older population will
predominantly rural areas in western Europe grew by therefore be increasingly concentrated in urban areas,
13%. and more so in Europe than in other world regions (UN
DESA, 2014). This combination of ageing and shrink-
Fig. 5 also provides a snapshot of where older people ing populations will pose special challenges for rural
live in Europe: the size of each bubble corresponds and remote areas.
Introduction
14
Domain 1:
outdoor environments

Domain 1:
outdoor environments
Introduction Strategic directions for policy
interventions
The importance of adapted outdoor spaces and build-
ings for active and healthy ageing is confirmed by The goal of interventions in this domain is to
growing evidence from research (Sugiyama & Ward plan and design the built environment and pub-
Thompson, 2007a; Sugiyama & Ward Thompson, lic spaces with awareness of the needs of – and
2007b; Curl et al., 2012). The links between the design in consultation with – older people, recognizing
and features of public space and intermediary goals their diversity. To support ageing in place, initia-
such as promoting physical activity and preventing tives to create age-friendly outdoor environments
falls are now well documented (Van Cauwenberg et al., focus on retrofitting existing neighbourhoods in
2011). addition to following good practice in the design 15
of new neighbourhoods.
Land use patterns, urban design and transportation
systems are three dimensions of the physical environ-
ment that can affect functional limitations and disability In most cases, age-friendly city initiatives that address
in positive and negative ways (Rosso, Auchincloss & the outdoor environment do not start from scratch:
Michael, 2011). The key issues to be addressed may existing buildings and infrastructures, regulations, cul-
be particular to a local context, like steeply sloping ture and history of places already shape the experience
neighbourhoods or a specific target group of people of ageing in any specific neighbourhood. In order to
living with dementia or in precarious economic circum- make cities more age-friendly it is crucial to under-
stances. The term “environment” is used in the AFEE stand the barriers, constraints and strengths of exist-
handbook in a broader sense than the classic policy ing outdoor environments in order to retrofit them and
field of environmental protection. There is, however, to reduce barriers, while preserving what is valued by
ample evidence that older people can be especially building on community assets.
vulnerable and negatively affected by environmental
degradation (see e.g. Simoni et al., 2015) for adverse Older women and men themselves are frequently an
effects of air pollution). excellent source for monitoring and evaluating the
quality of their own urban environments, including
This chapter presents the first domain – outdoor envi- those living with dementia (WHO, 2012b). Their voice
ronments – of the AFEE framework. This is the first of is critical for evaluation of and planning for change, for
three domains that address the physical dimension of both shorter- and longer-term action plans. Although
age-friendly communities. It corresponds to the “out- changing basic urban design may require long-term
door spaces and buildings” domain in the original vision, many interventions in outdoor environments
WHO global guide (WHO, 2007a). implemented as part of community action plans can
Outdoor environments
Key facts
• In2014a).
the WHO European Region each year 46 000 people aged over 70 years die as a result of falls (WHO,
WHO estimates that 26% of these falls can be attributed to the environment, such as housing
environments, access to building sites and recreational environments (WHO, 2006). Improved design of
outdoor environments can help reduce the risk of accidental falls.
• Survey results for the EU indicate for 2012 that 13% of people aged over 65 years perceive crime, violence
or vandalism in their area as a problem (Eurostat, 2015a).
• Many older people face barriers getting outdoors; for example, 52% of respondents in the United Kingdom
said that a lack of public toilets in their area prevented them from going out as often as they would like
(Hogg & Godfrey, 2007).
• People living close to open and green spaces are more likely to go out and walk (Saelens & Handy, 2008;
Sugiyama & Ward Thompson, 2008).
yield benefits in the short term (Kerr, Rosenberg & reported to discourage independent movement out-
Frank, 2012; Annear et al., 2014). doors for older age groups (Moran et al., 2014; Yen
et al., 2014). Planners and policy-makers increasingly
The following sections bring together main features recognize the need to pay more attention to the corre-
and initiatives that practitioners, age-friendly action sponding quality-of-life issues that older people have
planners and researchers have identified as relevant raised and to include them in all planning decisions.
age-friendly practices for neighbourhood development. Moreover, some of the actions listed below can create
Recent research has provided evidence supporting synergies with the broader planning agendas of sus-
many elements of the urban initiatives for healthy age- tainability, cohesion and liveability, to create places that
16 ing that have been undertaken in a growing number of promote well-being for all age groups (Gilroy, 2008).
cities and communities. A table at the end of the chap-
ter provides practical examples that show how local “An impairment becomes a disability only when
governments have operationalized areas for action into the built environment does not compensate for
their action plans. impairments.”
Utton (2009: 380)
Barrier-free public spaces and buildings

accessible and usable by people with Supportive and barrier-free environments can
impairments make the biggest difference to people at greater
risk of disability and poor health.
As people get older they often experience a greater With increasing age the likelihood of living with one or
sensitivity to seemingly small physical features that more functional limitations or disabilities grows. This
might be obstructive or decrease their feeling of safety may not automatically lead to dependence and frailty
and confidence in outdoor spaces, and are thereby but needs special attention from city planners and
discouraged or inhibited from going outdoors and transport planners. Studies suggest that the built envi-
moving around. A number of studies, however, have ronment may have more limited effects among those
shown promising results from interventions in the out- with mild or no impairment, but as soon as some
door environment that address these concerns. There impairment occurs, potential barriers of the built envi-
is evidence that some interventions have the poten- ronment can become a more important factor (Clarke
tial to increase walking and participation, both in the & Nieuwenhuijsen, 2009). Having a number of chronic
short term and over the longer term (Hallgrimsdottir, conditions or living with dementia can undermine the
Svensson & Ståhl, 2015). confidence of older people to navigate and master
the outdoor environment and hence put them at risk
For example, a lack or insufficient density of facilities of social exclusion (see also the chapter on domain 5:
such as benches, public toilets or elevators has been social inclusion and non-discrimination).

Adapting or designing public environments in
a way that is accessible for all, regardless of Box 3. Oslo’s common principles for
age and level of ability, benefits not only older universal design
people but also the wider community.
Accessibility has been promoted by concepts such In 2014 Oslo City Council adopted common prin-
as “inclusive design” and “universal design” principles for its local implementation of the Norwegian
ciples, which have become part of national legis- national action plan on universal design. The prin-
lations in some countries (including in the Nordic ciples provide guidelines for each city department
countries). These principles are also enshrined and agency, which are required to develop individ-
in the United Nations Convention on the Rights ual plans for universal design. The city’s Agency for
of People with Disabilities, to which the EU and Social and Welfare Services is in charge of coordi-
European countries are signatories. Local action nating these initiatives across the municipality.
plans should assess the level of accessibility in
neighbourhoods and make sure that it is promoted. The principles of universal design cover three main
Guidelines on accessibility standards and universal areas:
design have increasingly become available at national
and subnational levels (see Box 3); these help plan- • transport and communication
ners to identify gaps in communities, in consultation • planning of construction, property and outdoor
with older people, their organizations and other rele- areas
vant stakeholders (see the section on resources and • information and communication technology
toolkits). (ICT).
Safe and well signalled pedestrian crossings The common principles are based on the govern-
are a major concern for people with any kind ment’s vision that universal design is to be imple-
of impairment, frequently identified in focus mented in Norway by 2025.
groups and surveys. 17
Source: City of Oslo (2014), WHO (2015c).
Special buttons have been installed at important
crossings in some cities that grant people with disabil-
ities more time to cross the street. A more refined way including clear signage and layout, is critical for people
to request longer crossing time has been introduced with dementia but also relevant to other members of
in the form of an electronic card for disabled people. society (Box 4). This includes not only outdoor environ-
More details on crossings can be found in the chapter ments but also buildings and public meeting places.
on domain 2: transport and mobility. For instance, shopping centres can be challenging
environments for people with dementia as they can be
Special solutions can support people with disorienting (Blackman et al., 2003).
sensory impairments or with reduced vision or
hearing.
Support for community interaction and
Audio signals at traffic lights and specially designed
personal independence
curbs that provide better visibility are among the
examples that have been implemented in many cities. When there are places to rest, interesting street-life
and a perception of safety an older person is likely to
The right of access to the city includes people venture outdoors more often, to walk and meet peo-
with dementia as well as people with mobility ple and participate in everyday life. Conversely, a busy
limitations. street right in front of the house – especially without
Research has shown that the majority of older people traffic lights or with short crossing times – can create
with dementia live at home – many on their own (WHO, frightening situations, thus discouraging some older
2012b). Unless outdoor environments are designed people from going out into the community.
to help older people who live with dementia to con-
tinue to use their local neighbourhoods, many of them A direct neighbourhood and residential context that
may become effectively housebound (Mitchell, Burton invites older people to go out and about, to take care
& Raman, 2004). Designing urban areas that are easy of daily activities independently and to interact with
to understand and have landmarks and high legibility, others is of great importance. This is particularly true
Box 4. Case study: designing outdoor spaces to become dementia-friendly neighbourhoods for
life
A three-year research project from the Oxford Institute of Sustainable Development examined how outdoor
environments can be made more dementia-friendly. People with dementia have more difficulty using outdoor
spaces independently: studying the way they perceive, experience and use the outdoor environment enabled
the researchers to identify design factors and criteria that influence their ability to use and negotiate their local
neighbourhoods successfully. While the majority of participants with dementia said that they enjoyed going
out, many could no longer drive or use public transport when unaccompanied, often limiting their choice of
destinations to places within walking distance.
Older people with dementia tend to prefer:
• mixed-use, compact local neighbourhoods;

• short, gently winding streets with wide pavements and good visual access;
• historic,urban
varied forms and architectural features and aesthetic environmental features;
• quiet, pedestrianized
civic or distinctive landmarks;
• streets and welcoming open spaces;
• places, spaces and buildings whose functions and entrances are obvious;
• easy-to-use street
simple, explicit signs with large, dark unambiguous graphics and a light background;
• smooth, plain, non-slip,
furniture in styles familiar to them;
• non-reflective paving.
These findings were translated into preliminary guidance for designers – at all scales from urban design to
18 street furniture – on the criteria to consider when developing dementia-friendly urban environments.
In summary, this research identifies the six major requirements for outdoor environments to be demen-
tia-friendly: they need to be familiar, legible, distinctive, accessible, comfortable and safe. All criteria are very
closely related to the topics in this chapter. Environments that are easy for people with dementia to access,
understand, use and enjoy are likely also to be age-friendly and to benefit other people with or without limita-
tions; this gave rise to the concept of “neighbourhoods for life”.
Source: Mitchell & Burton (2006).
for people who live in residential care and those who Frank, 2012). Decisions of how and where to locate
through various life events (such as the death of a health services and integrated service providers,
loved one or relocation) or characteristics like health, including housing and residential choices for older
gender, ethnicity or income have become more iso- people in the community, need to be considered in this
lated (Clarke & Nieuwenhuijsen, 2009; Atkinson et al., context. Consideration is especially required for peo-
2014). ple with dementia, who – it has been shown – usually
feel more comfortable in a familiar environment, hence
It is important for older people that with amenities close to home.
neighbourhoods have access to core
destinations such as local shops, services and Efforts to support personal independence
amenities. include improved access to buildings and to the
Access to and density of nearby open spaces, ser- local transport network.
vices and amenities and interesting street frontages An environment that supports social contact and
have been shown to be among the most important access to public transport adds to quality of life and
factors influencing older people’s walking and ability fosters physical ability in older people (Elmståhl &
to take care of their daily activities (Kerr, Rosenberg & Ekström, 2012; De Donder et al., 2013). Relevant

neighbourhood infrastructure includes not only local “generation-friendly” business labels have been intro-
commercial centres but also meeting places for older duced, their checklists usually address these issues,
residents; both should be designed in inclusive ways. sometimes with a special focus on the needs of peo-
Amenities close to home may, however, be absent in ple living with dementia.
rural and remote communities, which underlines the
need for combined planning and transport strategies, Insufficiently safe or clean environments are
and special solutions to bring services to people, such frequently stated concerns by older people
as mobile shops (Keating, Eales & Phillips, 2013). when asked about rating their neighbourhood.
Uncleanliness, litter and graffiti can be perceived as
Physical environments can be co-created with evidence for decline and degradation of the neigh-
older people and older people’s associations. bourhood (De Donder et al., 2013). This can lead to
Involving older people in consultation processes for the subjective feeling among older people of a lack of
newly planned urban developments can ensure that safety. Feeling secure in one’s living environment is a
their needs are respected in urban planning. Many cit- major factor in older people’s choices to leave their
ies have set up “senior councils” that advise the local homes and engage in their communities (Broekhuizen,
authority on issues affecting the lives of older peo- de Vries & Pierik, 2013; Yen et al., 2014).
ple (see also the chapter on domain 6: civic engage-
ment and employment). To support these planning The feeling of safety can depend on a number of fac-
processes, municipalities have developed a range of tors. These include negative factors such as objective
methods for street audits and public consultations or subjectively perceived risk of violence, observed
(Buffel et al., 2014). antisocial behaviour and reported crime, but also pos-
itive factors such as adequate street lighting or having
Older people’s associations and other organized or emergency phones around public transport hubs. In
informal groups of older people are important stake- addition to perceived disorder and litter, experienc-
holders with an interest in promoting local activity and ing road safety problems adds to feelings of unsafety,
healthier physical environments. Co-creating public, as do poor conditions of pavements and insufficient 19
residential and open spaces with older people has recreational infrastructure or heavy traffic (De Donder
two benefits: first identifying and avoiding barriers for et al., 2013). An infrastructure of local shops, on the
older people with special needs (Gilroy, 2008; Beard & other hand, might lead to the perception of increased
Petitot, 2010) and second increasing subsequent use safety. Some longitudinal research has shown that
by organized and informal groups through creating a fear of crime or street design that favours motorized
feeling of ownership. transportation and neighbourhood degradation may
adversely influence health outcomes among older
Places to be and to stay outdoors people (Beard & Petitot, 2010).
Going out is not only an act of getting things done Neighbourhoods need to be created where
or getting from A to B. Being in public and open older people have a choice of places for
spaces also gives people the broader feeling of tak- recreation, physically activity and other leisure
ing part in the life of their community and of having activities.
social encounters. Physical environments that enable Some evidence exists that seeing other people being
life and participation need to plan with people in mind active in one’s neighbourhood can increase the per-
and define relevant and measurable targets for what ception of trustworthy and responsible residents,
they want to achieve (Gehl, 2011). motivating older people to participate more (Annear
et al., 2014).
Public benches and other opportunities to
rest, as well as adequate access to toilets, are An increasingly popular intervention in age-friendly cit-
essential for older people with some functional ies is the creation of accessible walking paths, infra-
limitation to feel confident in public spaces. structures for physical activity and cycle paths that
This also concerns privately owned extensions of older people can use for recreational purposes. The
public spaces: shops, supermarkets and com- health benefit goes beyond physical activity to addi-
mercial shopping malls. Where “age-friendly” or tional social interaction and mental health benefits.
These infrastructure investments should be consid- Engaging with nature has been shown to have a pos-
ered in disadvantaged neighbourhoods, in combina- itive effect on mental health, alleviate stress, restore
tion with other measures to increase perceived safety energy and enhance mood – effects that have been
and attractiveness. Walking groups invite older people described as “therapeutic landscapes” or “restorative
to leave their houses and foster recreational walking, environments” (Kaplan and Kaplan, 2003; Hansen-
while promoting social engagement. Ketchum et al., 2011). Moreover, allotments and
community gardening can be beneficial to the mental
Case studies indicate some positive effects from phys- health and well-being of older people (Milligan, Gatrell
ical structures in the community, such as intergenera- & Bingley, 2004; Van den Berg et al., 2010). By inter-
tional playgrounds where grandparents can play with acting and working in the garden older people get
their grandchildren and special equipment from the a sense of achievement, satisfaction and aesthetic
recent “adult playground” movement. All of these can pleasure (Milligan, Gatrell & Bingley, 2004).
make the use of open spaces more attractive for older
people and provide possibilities for social interaction. In urban action plans communal gardening or allot-
(More details on participation and recreational activi- ment sites often appear in intergenerational and inter-
ties can be found in the chapter on domain 4: social cultural strategies for social integration, but they have
participation.) clear links to age-friendly policies. Community gar-
dens can have the double benefit of simultaneously
Natural environments, parks and green spaces helping to combat social isolation and contributing
can promote well-being and health through to social networks and skills. People with dementia
increased activity levels. also value a connection to nature and participation in
Access to a green living environment is positively nature-based activities, rating them as highly enjoy-
linked to better perceived health, less disease able – for those living either in the community or in
and longer lives in people aged 60 years and over sheltered housing (Gibson et al., 2007).
(Broekhuizen, de Vries & Pierik, 2013). One possible
20 explanation of this effect is illustrated by research sug- Urban environments that support
gesting that older people who live close to parks and belonging, continuity and sense of self
other open spaces walk more and leave their homes
more frequently (Saelens & Handy, 2008; Sugiyama & The space around the home is more than just a geo-
Ward Thompson, 2008). Design, attractiveness and graphical unit and physical quality: it also has char-
the perceived safety of green places are all critical to acter, history, meaning and value for residents. The
their effect on increased activity levels (Michael, Green wish of older people to age in place is connected
& Farquhar, 2006). Some beneficial effects of green with a feeling of continuity and being familiar with a
spaces studied were stronger among older people place. Rapid changes in a neighbourhood, however,
than in the general population; for example, in improv- may make it feel new and unfamiliar and threaten the
ing quality of sleep (WHO Regional Office for Europe, continuity and attachment that older people have with
2016b). it. This may be particularly relevant for people with
dementia, but limited research has been done so far
Nature and green spaces have additional into how rapid urban changes affect older people in
effects on well-being and mental health. this regard.
Research indicates that older people have a preference
for green environments, like tree-lined streets, plants Attachment and a sense of belonging are shaped
and things to watch in the park (Ward Thompson, through experiences of accessibility, social bonds,
2013). Distribution of trees within the neighbourhood feelings, memories, thoughts and routines in the
and exposure to green open spaces appear to be neighbourhood over the life-course. It is important to
correlated to older people’s subjective well-being and recognize the ways in which people have and build
subjective health (Kweon, Sullivan & Wiley, 1998; Van connections to places, and more research needs to
Dillen et al., 2011). be done in this field. The experience of a place can
affect older people’s subjective judgement of it and

their ability to participate in the built environment Finding ways to preserve and recall meanings,
(Phillips, Walford & Hockey, 2011). values and collective lective memories of places
could help to preserve a feeling of continuity
“Public and shared spaces are critical and support a sense of belonging to the
environments shaping the conduct of everyday neighbourhood.
life. Our use of and identification with public Research is only at an early stage of understanding
spaces is an essential component of an overall how such emotional levels influence the health and
sense of being in place. There are public places in well-being of older people, particularly in contexts of
which we feel safe, welcomed, and within which
rapid urban change and regeneration. People trans-
we can experience a sense of belonging and
form the spaces of their lives by imbuing these pat-
identification. Other public spaces are dangerous,
terns of use and the habituation of their everyday
hostile and alienating. The design and ambiance
of these spaces is a critical element in determining activities with meaning. Community integration and
our ability or willingness to venture forth from the continuing engagement with the environment are criti-
relative security of our residence.” cal to enhancing quality of life for older adults (Rowles
Rowles & Bernard (2013: 4) & Bernard, 2013).
Perceptions and feelings about a place can It is important for urban planners and policy-
have an important impact on actual use and makers to recognize how place affects older
participation. people’s confidence of going outdoors.
Aesthetic buildings, streetscapes and scenery are Unsupportive environments may lead to a loss of
highly valued and are associated with increased par- self-efficacy and self-esteem. For instance, not being
ticipation by older people (Moran et al., 2014). Thus, able to find a toilet or having to ask for help to access
a subjective reading of the security or attractiveness a building as a wheelchair user can evoke feelings of
of a neighbourhood is linked to whether older people being dependent. Supportive outdoor environments
are actually leaving their houses. Research has shown can benefit from an understanding of people’s sub-
that aesthetics, usability and shared memories help jective experiences and aspirations in terms of use of 21
older people to develop a sense of place and attach- space and quality of life. People-centred environments
ment, even in unfamiliar places (Phillips et al., 2013). respect the subjective values and meanings of the peo-
ple inhabiting a place; support the diversity and needs
Urban planners and city developers increasingly of older people; and focus on physically and emotion-
recognize that older people have not only ally inclusive design of spaces. Listening to the voices
technical and material needs but also emotional of older people is crucial throughout the design and
demands from their neighbourhoods. planning process.
People develop ties of belonging and agency with their
neighbourhoods over the life-course (Wahl, Iwarsson Policy interventions and initiatives by
& Oswald, 2012). These lead to place attachment action area and objective
and create memories and meaning. Considering that
people in their older years have often lived for a long Table 1 follows the structure of this chapter’s proposed
time in the same neighbourhood, such processes of directions for interventions and objectives and adds
belonging explain subjective evaluations of neigh- examples from existing age-friendly strategies, action
bourhoods. Understanding these dynamics is crucial plans and case studies. Interventions and initiatives
to creating environments that enable ageing in place; mentioned may be projects already implemented in
it may also help to assist older people in adapting to local contexts or those designed for implementation in
new places should they need or wish to relocate to an age-friendly action plan.
more fitting environments.
Table 1. Practice examples for outdoor environments from local age-friendly action plans and
assessments
Action area Objective Examples of policy interventions and initiatives

Barrier-free public Support to peo- • Neighbourhood regeneration programmes for the development
spaces and build- ple at risk and improvement of infrastructures in socially disadvantaged
ings that are acces- neighbourhoods (including social development)
sible and usable • Urban audit-informed improvements in specific disadvantaged
for people with areas or with specific target groups
impairments • Planting of greenery and planning for the provision of urban
amenities in disadvantaged areas
(cross-cutting with
domain 4: social Accessible/ • Retrofitting public spaces and infrastructures to create barri-
participation) inclusive design er-free access to public places, routes, buildings and transport
(even with mobility aids)
• Following accessibility principles for newly built infrastructures
• Age-friendly and accessible design workshops with city plan-
ners and urban designers
• Participatory mapping of accessibility and targeted retrofitting
of outdoor environments and buildings (developing walkability,
accessibility and street audit tools)
Crossings and • Street audits including people living with impairments
traffic lights • ity-impairedtiming
Adjustable of traffic lights to allow safe crossing of mobil-
people
• Sonar signals on traffic lights
22 Sensory • Universal design initiatives
impairments • users in the planning
Consideration of safety and accessibility for vision-impaired
of public infrastructure, recreational zones
and walking/sport facilities
• Information and signage in braille and audio versions
Dementia-friendly • Dementia strategies for the public realm and civic buildings
• Familiar design
Involvement of people with dementia in neighbourhood audits
• Other dementia-friendly
of benches, traffic lights
• tiveness, good lighting design principles, e.g. legibility, distinc-
• Walking groups for people with dementia
Support for com-
munity interaction
Access to
amenities
• Co-location of amenities and local services, especially in places
close to care institutions and age-friendly buildings
and personal • Regulated distribution of pharmacies and health services in line
independence with locations for older populations
(cross-cutting with
• Providing decentralized social services in the neighbourhood
(offices proportional to number of inhabitants)
• Service
domain 8: community
providers and businesses consulting with senior coun-
and health services)
cils in relation to development of buildings and outdoor spaces
• Promotion of urban planning concepts such as the 20-minute
neighbourhood and the city of short distances
• Promoting access to, and viability of, healthy food, markets and
local stores in the neighbourhood

Table 1 contd

Access to • Mapping accessibility of buildings (heavy doors, steps without
buildings and handrails or wheelchair access)
local transport • Building ramps to public buildings and housing
• Analysing distribution and density of bus stops and their dis-
tance to residential areas of older people (using geographical
information system mapping)
Places to be and Benches and • Online bench request forms
stay outdoors toilets • Improvement of signage for public toilets
• Accessible toilet initiatives
Mapping of toilets and ensuring maintenance
(cross-cutting with
domain 4: social • and gastronomy and labelling with local shop owners
participation)
Safe and clean • Working with private landlords to control noise and litter issues
environments from their premises
• Removal of litter and graffiti
• Urban renewal and regeneration initiatives
Places for • Installing exercise equipment and areas in public places and
recreation and parks
leisure • Supporting swimming pools and leisure centres
• Creating culture and walking tracks
Parks and green • Creating new parks
spaces • Making existing parks more accessible, inviting and safe by 23
installing benches and lighting and increasing maintenance
• Providing dog fouling collection bags
Resilient and • Improving accessibility and connection to forests and natural
therapeutic places
places • Allotment gardens
• Community gardens
• adaptation of city centres
Assessing resilience to extreme climates: climate evaluation and
Belonging and Agency • Supporting local citizen initiatives to improve the urban
sense of self environment
(cross-cutting with
Aesthetics and • Recognizable design of outdoor furniture
domain 2: transport and
mobility and domain 4:
usability • inhabitants
Neighbourhood beautification campaigns designed with
social participation)
Understanding • Focus groups with older residents
belonging • Asset mapping of neighbourhoods
Preserve • Using participatory planning approaches to urban renewal and
memories and regeneration
continuity • Preservation of historical urban landscape
Table 1 contd

Environmental • Clear signage and legible layout
confidence • Focusing on fear of crime as well as crime itself, using tech-
niques such as “design out crime” and “passive surveillance” in
collaboration with local police
• Developing and promoting use of impact assessment tools for
older people
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McGarry P (2012). Good places to grow old: age-friendly
AARP (2007). A great city for older adults: an AARP cities in Europe. J Intergener Relatsh. 10(2):201–4.
survey on the strengths and challenges of growing in
Old Burlington. Washington DC: AARP (http://www. McGarry P, Morris J (2011). A great place to grow older:
aarp.org/livable-communities/learn/research-trends/ a case study of how Manchester is developing an age-
info-12-2012/survey-growing-old-Burlington-2007. friendly city. Working with Older People. 15(1):38–46.
html, accessed 25 May 2016).
Michael YL, Yen IH (2014). Aging and place – neigh-
Buffel T, Phillipson C, Scharf T (2012). Ageing in urban borhoods and health in a world growing older. J Aging
environments: developing “age-friendly” cities. Crit Health. 26(8):1251–60.
Soc Policy. 32(4):597–617.

Newton R, Ormerod M, Burton E, Mitchell L, Ward activity: a review of the literature. Wash State J Public
Thompson C (2010). Increasing independence for older Health Pract. 1(1):13–21.
people through good street design. J Integrated Care.
18(3):24–9. Sheehan B, Burton E, Mitchell L (2006). Outdoor way
finding in dementia. Dementia. 5(2):271–81.
Norgate S (2012). Accessibility of urban spaces for
visually impaired pedestrians. Municipal Engineer. Spaul M, Hockey A (2011). Older people in unfa-
165(4):231–7. miliar environments: assimilating a multidisciplinary
literature to a planning problem. Local Economy.
Nyman SR, Ballinger C, Phillips JE, Newton R (2013). 26(4):236–45.
Characteristics of outdoor falls among older peo-
ple: a qualitative study. BMC Geriatr.13:125. doi: Walker J, Finkelstein R (2008). Age-friendly New
10.1186/1471-2318-13-125. York City: overview, findings, lessons. Gerontologist.
48:104.
Plouffe L, Kalache A (2010). Towards global age-friendly
cities: determining urban features that promote active Ward Thompson C, Curl A, Aspinall P, Alves S, Zuin
aging. J Urban Health. 87(5):733–9. A (2014). Do changes to the local street environment
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Lancet. 384:89. 25
26
Domain 2:
transport and mobility

Domain 2:
transport and mobility
Introduction in life and participating in society more broadly, includ-
ing access to health and social services. Many older
Public transport remains one of the key strategies to people cannot be self-sufficient without transportation
make transport systems ecologically and demograph- if they have reduced mobility (UN-Habitat, 2013). This
ically sustainable. This chapter discusses a number chapter elaborates major pathways for remaining phys-
of features of age-friendly public transport, as well as ically active and being able to participate in social and
other support measures that help remove barriers to community life for as long as possible.
transport and mobility.
Transport and mobility is the second of three domains of The goal of interventions in this domain is to
the AFEE framework that aim to make physical environ- promote safe, accessible, appropriate and 27
ments more supportive. It corresponds to the “trans- reliable transport services and infrastructure
portation” domain in the original WHO global guide, in for active living. The aim is to enable people
which the majority of issues covered relate to public to maintain their mobility, independence and
transport provision (WHO, 2007a). Current research connections as they get older.
often addresses issues of transport and ageing in
broader terms and emphasizes the important health
benefits of walking and other active forms of mobility Having all the necessary services (including hospitals,
for older people. The AFEE handbook therefore cho- doctors’ surgeries and grocery shops), social networks
ses to address broader questions of mobility and road and activities (including friends’ houses, day centres,
safety together in this domain, including other issues churches and parks) available in the local neighbour-
that are critical to safe mobility, such as pavements. As hood can help to compensate for reduced mobility. As
with other domains of age-friendly environments, trans- Marsden et al. (2007) have argued, however, there is
port and mobility have important interconnections with also evidence of frustration and health consequences
other domains and can reinforce each other. To facil- if destinations important to older people’s lives cannot
itate ageing in place and to maintain quality of life as be reached easily. Helping older people increase their
people get older, it is important to understand the role mobility can help reduce dependence and isolation,
of the built environment in fostering or limiting mobility. and thus prevent or slow down further decline in health
and daily functioning.
Strategic directions for policy
interventions The coming decades will see ageing generations
accustomed to car use, high levels of mobility and
For older people, the ability to get “out and about” is crit- travel-intensive lifestyles (Hjorthol, Levin & Sirén, 2010).
ical to well-being (Marsden et al., 2007). Transportation This may help some older people to compensate for
is crucial for maintaining social connections with fam- their reduced mobility, while others may become more
ilies, friends and neighbours and for keeping engaged homebound and risk social isolation and loneliness.
Transport and mobility

Key facts
• The likelihood of living with reduced mobility increases significantly from the age of around 75 years. Age
alone, however, is not the direct factor for this decline, which is strongly connected with the state of health
and related impairments usually more prevalent among the older age groups, including cognitive and motor
impairments. Even in the oldest of old age groups many people still exhibit a high level of autonomous
mobility (Bell et al., 2010).
• Older people and people aged 15–29 years have the highest road traffic mortality rates in the WHO
European Region (Jackisch et al., 2015b).
• Every fifth person who dies today on the EU’s roads is aged 65 years and over (European Transport Safety
Council, 2008).
• It is estimated that around 12 500 people aged 70 years and over die each year in the WHO European
Region from road injuries (WHO, 2014a).
• Environmental barriers such as poor access to transport, neighbourhood safety and unavailability of exer-
cise programmes and equipment are experienced as barriers to physical activity participation (Franco et
al., 2015).
• In the EU around 25% of people aged over 55 years use public transport (European Commission, 2011). Of
people aged over 65 years, 23% experience some or great difficulties in accessing public transport facilities
in the EU (Eurofound, 2012).
• Older people’s experiences of mobility can be shaped by gender and life events. Although gender differ-
ences are changing and differ by country, older women are currently less likely to drive and to own a car;
on the other hand, older women use more and different modes of transport. While older men are overall
less prepared for a life without car, older women can be seriously affected by loss of a spouse in terms of
their unmet travel needs (Ahern & Hine, 2012).
28 • When asked, older adults suggested that motor traffic control measures are one of the most important
environmental issues to address (Strath, Isaacs & Greenwald, 2007; Saelens & Handy, 2008).
One of the biggest challenges and the root of many of neighbourhoods (see also the chapter on domain
barriers found in age-friendly city assessments is the 1: outdoor environments) and accessibility of public
lack of consideration given by transport planners to transport have been shown to predict older people’s
mobility difficulties, possible impairments and age-re- transportation choices and are therefore key areas of
lated vulnerabilities (such as reduced walking speed intervention for age-friendly environments. Mobility
and distances and the need for seating in public places is more than just transport from A to B: it is also an
and clear signage). By bringing together public health experience in itself, which is important to the self-effi-
and transport engineering specialists and older peo- cacy and subjective well-being of older people. It also
ple, a range of actions have been identified that may opens up opportunities to interact with others and feel
lead to better services. According to the European part of the city.
Metropolitan Transport Agencies (EMTA) many of these
actions are low-cost and easy to implement and would The following sections bring together main features
benefit both older people and other groups of the pop- and initiatives that practitioners, age-friendly action
ulation who use public transport (Fiedler, 2007). plans and researchers have identified as relevant age-
friendly practices for mobility and transport. A table
Older people use a variety of transportation options at the end of the chapter provides practical examples
including driving, walking, public transport and pri- that show how local governments have operational-
vate and specialized transport services. Walkability ized areas for action into their action plans.

Infrastructure for active mobility and Well maintained and well designed pavements,
walkability walkways and cycle paths are crucial to physical
activity.
Walking should be promoted among older Safe and smooth footpaths and tracks for walking are
people as it has the “win–win” result of being linked to more frequent walking of older people and the
a form of both physical activity and mobility; it ability to perform activities of daily living independently;
enables older people to be independent, to do they also help to prevent falls (Nyman et al., 2013).
the things that are important to them and to Quality of pavements features strongly in many age-
participate in social life. friendly audits in which older people have participated
Walking is the most popular mode of transport of (Garin et al., 2014).
older people for local trips in all European countries.
To enable older people to walk and use other modes “Outdoor falls are frequent; approximately half
of active transport, safe infrastructure is crucial. In of falls among adults aged 65+ occur in outdoor
some countries cycling is also a popular mode of environments.”
Nyman et al. (2013: 2)
transport among older people. Separating pavements
and cycle paths from each other and from motor traf-
fic can then foster active mobility in older people. Local action plans and assessments identify short-
comings by consulting both older people themselves
Accessibility, maintenance and other features and available (national) accessibility guidelines. The lit-
of the built environment can empower people to erature reveals a notable concentration on the details
walk. of pavement quality and maintenance, slopes, curbs
Traffic planning is crucial: many older adults may not and temporary obstacles on pavements, which are
feel comfortable negotiating street crossings that important determinants of walking among older people
have issues such as intersections without traffic lights (Annear et al., 2014; Stav, 2014). For example, walk-
and with relatively large crossing distances. Studies ways and cycle paths need to be clearly separated and
show an increased risk of motor vehicle collisions with have safe intersections, as accidents tend to happen 29
pedestrians over the age of 65 years at marked cross- more frequently at intersections. On hills or stairs older
ings with no traffic signals or stop signs (Koepsell et people appreciate the presence of handrails. They dis-
al., 2002). To promote walking, consultations with like cracked, uneven, steeply sloped or high curbs.
older people and the available research evidence sup- Narrow pavements, slippery sidewalk surfaces, holes
port a number of factors. and cracks also pose barriers (Moran et al., 2014).
• Streets should be well connected and well lit, and Interventions can increase confidence for
should be and feel safe. mobility if they reduce motor traffic, reduce
• Pavements need to be wide enough, free of barri- traffic speed and increase road safety.
ers, well maintained, cleared (of snow, leaves and Further to the criteria mentioned above, road safety,
litter), segregated from motorized traffic and other violence and injury prevention are key determinants
transport users (including cycle and motorcycle of older people’s feelings of safety when walking. In
users) and free of obstructions from other uses many local needs assessments older adults suggested
of pavements (such as parked cars and garbage that they feel motor traffic measures are among the
containers). most important environment issues to address (Strath,
Isaacs & Greenwald, 2007; Saelens & Handy, 2008).
Well connected streets can be achieved by ensur- Recreational walking and physical activity have consis-
ing the availability of potential walkable destinations, tently been correlated to perceptions of neighbourhood
frequent formal crossings, well laid-out and signalled safety and negatively related to neighbourhood prob-
intersections and traffic lights that allow enough time lems (Li et al., 2005; Li, Fisher & Brownson, 2005; Piro
for older people to cross safely. As outlined in the et al., 2006; Nagel et al., 2008; Mendes de Leon et al.,
chapter on domain 1: outdoor environments, the wider 2009; Shores et al., 2009; Tucker-Seeley et al., 2009).
characteristics and design of public spaces, facilities Interventions should therefore also consider calming
and amenities reachable within short distances also of motorized traffic, speed limits and road safety cam-
support and encourage walking and participation. paigns, as well as crime reduction.

In some countries people up to the oldest of old users are younger than 45 years, there are also positive
age groups rely on bicycles to get out and about. health impacts for older users (Woodcock et al., 2014).
The use of cycling as a mode of transport varies
greatly, depending not only on the culture but also on Public transport
the provision of infrastructure for older people to feel
confident to cycle (Oxley et al., 2004). When there are Evidence shows that interventions in public transport
balance problems, three-wheeled bikes make it possi- can prevent a significant reduction in older people’s
ble to continue cycling, and new technology – such as participation in activities. Such activities include visiting
e-bikes – opens up new opportunities for older people’s exhibitions, museums and libraries; going to restau-
mobility. Nevertheless, older people need safe condi- rants; exercise or playing sports; travelling or going on
tions to cycle, including segregated cycle lanes and tours; playing with or helping children/grandchildren;
sufficient green phases at traffic signals. In a number participating in community or voluntary organizations;
of European cities, as well as in some rural areas, bicy- going to professional events or trade union meet-
cle-sharing schemes have been set up through which ings; and going to classes or lectures (Hallgrimsdottir,
bicycles or e-bikes are available for temporary use and Svensson & Ståhl, 2015). Ageing populations can also
can be returned to a different point from where they are be seen as an opportunity for public transport provid-
picked up. Initial evaluations of the health benefits of ers to attract an important and growing target group
such schemes suggest that, although the majority of (Box 5).
Box 5. Perspectives from the public transport sector
An EMTA report pointed out that healthy and active ageing offers potential benefits for both older people and
public transport providers – public transport has an important market in the increasing number of older people,
30 while older people can use public transport to remain mobile for as long as possible. The EMTA survey asked
metropolitan transport agencies in 2007 which strategies and measures they had planned or implemented to
react to the demographic change.
Physical accessibility
Cleanliness/appearence
Information
Waiting/interchange
Tickets/fares
Stakeholder involvement
Safety strategy
Surveys
Staff training
Easy use/orientation
Service/staff
(Marketing) campaigns
Dedicated services
User training
0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%
fully implemented partly implemented planned not considered no answer
The results highlight the trend of involving older people as stakeholders in consultations, planning and deci-
sions for transport. EMTA also recommends clear communication strategies improving the image of public
transport among older people and increasing efforts to service quality, cleanliness and punctuality.
Source: Fiedler (2007).

Cities need to apply accessibility criteria and • reduced fees or free transport for older people and
guidelines more consistently to overcome for individuals with disabilities that also consider
barriers by adapting existing public transport the need for accompanying people.
systems.
Implementation of age-friendly guidelines for public Social facilitating factors are the presence of
buses, trams and trains has shown promising results helpful staff, positive attitudes and willingness
for improving satisfaction and perceived usability of the to help, such as with information.
bus system. It may help older people to maintain par- Age and disability awareness training for staff and
ticipation in social life (Broome et al., 2013). Evidence enforcement of traffic rules are frequently recom-
from both reviews and individual studies suggests mended strategies for interventions (European
that measures to improve transport accessibility may Conference of Ministers of Transport, 2000; OECD,
have significant equity benefits. Those who most need 2001; UNDP, 2010). Incentives and regulatory struc-
improved access – not least the most vulnerable – tures need to be scrutinized. For example, punctual-
might gain most (Hallgrimsdottir, Svensson & Ståhl, ity targets for public transport may contribute to bus
2015). drivers setting off before people are safely seated.
Training and appraisal criteria for drivers and transport
Accessible and reliable public transport options staff can encourage staff to strive to be approach-
affect the health and well-being of older people. able, inform, assist and improve safety and security
A longitudinal study from Sweden found access to (Broome et al., 2011).
transportation and activities to be the third strongest
predictor of quality of life, mobility and functional lim- On-demand services and other support
itations, after education and age (Elmståhl & Ekström, to improve mobility
2012). Accessible public transport has to provide more
than wheelchair-accessible vehicles because older Older people need support in the transition
people perceive many different barriers in access to phase when they are no longer willing or able to
public transport. These include knowledge and infor- use their own cars. 31
mation; availability, frequency and reliability of trans- When people get older they can become trapped in
port; flexibility of routes and stops; affordable ticket habitual car use as they are not used to, or have little
prices; and confidence to navigate transport systems. or no experience of, public transport; as such, they
Gaps exist in the evidence about which barriers and are unaware of the available services (Oxley & Whelan,
facilitators have the greatest impact, however (Broome 2008). Encouraging the use of different kinds of active
et al., 2009). transport options early in life and throughout the life-
course is important and has been pointed out as
Main areas of intervention for more accessible public necessary for sustainable development (Nordbakke &
transport include: Schwanen, 2013). Women over the age of 55 years
are less likely to use the car, but are also more likely to
• making public transport easy to use, improving the live with functional limitations or disabilities: for them,
quality of pre-trip and on-trip information and con- public transport options are particularly important.
sidering barriers for impaired individuals (no com- Impracticality of public transportation (particularly in
plex technical knowledge needed, considering the suburbia and in remote and rural areas) adds to car
digital divide – user-unfriendly ticketing machines or dependency and disadvantages for participation in
complex tariff schemes can contribute to barriers older age (Zeitler et al, 2012; Haustein & Siren, 2015).
that prevent more frequent usage);
• planning of public transport services with all age Public transport systems and local transport planning
groups in mind and considering the increasing have to adapt to the needs and expectations of the
demand of ageing societies – new approaches are increasing share of older people; public transport will
necessary to overcome barriers, including improved have to attract older passengers and familiarize them
demand-responsive services, more frequent sched- with the use of services to be sustainable. For rural
uling outside working hours and improved links areas, the development of appropriate rural alterna-
between pedestrian infrastructure and public trans- tives and provision of public transport systems could
port, such as bus buddy programmes or flexible help to secure road safety and support the transition
route schemes (Broome et al., 2013); from driver to non-driver (Hanson & Hildebrand, 2011).

Specialized community transport can offer Local authorities can collaborate with private or
services and support (such as taxi vouchers) for social enterprises to support other alternative
disabled people and others with special needs. on-demand transport services.
The services provided by voluntary or private sectors Sustainable concepts of transport, such as car-sharing
are crucial to mitigate further health consequences for schemes, emerge driven by cities and citizens alike.
those at risk of exclusion. The community service land- These might enable older people, who use the car less
scape is changing rapidly (Freund & Vine, 2010) and often or only for short distances, to save money and
new demand-driven opportunities are evolving, based alleviate the pressure of maintenance. The potential of
on new technology. Policy can stimulate and promote such innovative sharing schemes for older people is
such alternatives and shape transportation systems of underexplored and it remains unclear whether car-shar-
the future that are user-friendly and appropriate for all ing could also work in more rural and remote areas.
ages (Box 6).
Policy interventions and initiatives by
action area and objective
Box 6. Case study: Cyclopousse, Lyon
The region of Lyon, France, launched rickshaws as
Table 2 follows the structure of this chapter’s proposed
an innovative public–private partnership to provide
directions for interventions and objectives and adds
transportation services accessible by and tailored
examples from existing age-friendly strategies, action
to older people. The “cyclopousse” can transport
plans and case studies. Interventions and initiatives
two people to the destination of their choice in a
mentioned may be projects already implemented in
perimeter of between 500 metres and 1.5 kilome-
local contexts or those designed for implementation in
tres. The service is free for recipients of home allow-
an age-friendly action plan.
ances and fairly cheap for regular users. It provides
friendly, comfortable and secure means of trans-
portation, based on a proximity approach, which
32 in particular reaches older people at risk of social
isolation.
Table 2. Practice examples for transport and mobility from local age-friendly action plans and
assessments

Infrastructure for Promoting walking among
• Intersectoral “active city” working group
active mobility and older people
• Health economic assessment tool for walking and cycling
walkability • interesting street
Pedestrian streets with lighting, shade (tree lining) and
fronts
(cross-cutting with
domain 1: outdoor • and points of interestpaths
Accessible walking with resting points, water points
along the path (paths with thematic
environments)
information, billboards with mental exercises, routes along
meaningful places)
• Guided walking tours on different themes (led by
volunteers)
• Walking groups (e.g. Nordic walking, women groups etc.)
• Intergenerational walks (e.g. historical city walks; older
people volunteer to walk children to school)
• City map of places suitable for physical activity

Table 2 contd

Pavements • Making walkability audits with older people
• Ensuring regular maintenance of pavements with remedial
work and repair of slippery and uneven pavements and
walkways
• Ensuring good room for passage and avoiding obstruc-
tions (garbage, parked vehicles, plant pots)
• Ensuring new pavements fulfil accessibility criteria and
considering special curb design
Increasing road safety • Better enforcement of traffic rules and laws
and reducing motor • Awareness campaigns and education programmes on
traffic and speed road safety
• Pedestrian priority in city centres and historic, cultural and
social sights, including provision of seating and restricted
car traffic (only essential traffic to support local busi-
nesses, drop-off/collect and limited free parking)
• Speed indication devices (local volunteers to monitor)
• Road safety observatory
Supporting safe cycling • Creation of cycling lanes separate from pedestrians and
infrastructure cars
• Well connected network of bicycle lanes with easy access
from residential districts and older people’s residences
and reaching locations of interest 33
• Safe and wide cycling lanes (that allow riding at different
speeds)
• Self-service bicycle-sharing schemes
• Bicycle traffic counting devices
• Intergenerational cycling events and bicycle workshops
Public transport Developing and • Understanding and investigating barriers to use
enforcing accessibility • Barrier-free vehicles and low-floor buses
Priority seating
standards in public •
transport
Offering reliable and • Surveying appropriateness of routes and density of traffic
affordable public trans- stops (in particular with connections to socioeconomically
port options disadvantaged areas and rural and remote areas)
• Real-time information service at bus stops
• Considering flexible bus route services
• Neighbourhood minibus services on specific routes with
door-to-door pick-up and drop-off (shop route; health
route)
• Considering concessions or free travel schemes

Table 2 contd

High-quality and appro- • Ensuring the presence of staffed service desks and ticket
priate public transport offices in the neighbourhood
service for older people • Simplifying complex ticketing
• Ensuring maintenance and safety of bus shelters
• security on age and disability awareness, safety and
Staff training
• Regular customer satisfaction surveys (including older

people)
• Adjusting training and appraisal criteria for drivers and
transport staff to promote approachable and assisting
attitudes
On-demand Technological solutions • Accurate and accessible automated on-trip and pre-trip
specialized information with audio and visual information
transport services • Consideration of the digital divide; offering “offline” alter-
and other support natives for transport planning information and ticketing
to improve service
mobility • Online private ride-sharing schemes
(cross-cutting with
Supporting transition • Regular car-free days (bicycle parades, street festivals)
domain 6: civic from the car to other • Training for road safety and mobility without the car
engagement and
employment)
means of transportation • Special incentives/campaigns for using public transport
34 Specialized community • Taxi vouchers

services for people with • needs (e.g. organizing
Door-to-door transport services for people with special
special needs training and ensuring volunteers,
including in remote areas)
• Special neighbourhood minibus services at specific times
to reach medical and social services, access to local
shops, day and community centres and for participation in
events (especially in urban fringes, rural and remote areas)
Support and facilitation • Car pools and car-sharing
of alternative transport • Bicycle and e-bike-sharing
schemes • users
On-demand bicycle taxis with priority rates for frequent

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36

Domain 3:
housing
Domain 3:
housing
Introduction interactions with the creation of accessible outdoor
environments that support independence, as described
It is possible to age at home even when health declines in the chapter on domain 1. It is also strongly con-
and care needs arise, but the home needs to be suitable nected with domain 2: transport and mobility, which
for the changing needs of older people. A large part of considers the environment around the house and the
the housing stock in the WHO European Region and connections between residential settings.
worldwide has not been designed to accommodate
the needs of older people in terms of safety, acces- Issues of housing for the ageing population also have
sibility, location and independence. Existing hous- important links with domain 8: community and health
ing stock may therefore need building modification. services. As most people want to age at home rather
Moreover, within the home a number of environmen- than in institutions, an increasing number of older peo- 39
tal hazards (such as mould, noise, cold, overcrowding ple will receive social and health care services at home
and accidents) can threaten health (Braubach, Jacobs rather than in an institutionalized setting. While this
& Ormandy, 2011). chapter includes sections on the home as a site for pre-
vention and rehabilitation, the important topic of home
Even in early old age – and growing in importance with care and health care services at home is covered in the
increasing functional limitations – difficulties can appear chapter on domain 8: community and health services.
in keeping up with house maintenance tasks; these Nevertheless, the designs of both new houses and
increase the risk of injuries. In people of higher old age adaptations to the home are essential to assist pro-
(over 80 years), especially as the risk of frailty increases, fessionals and family members in fulfilling these tasks.
difficulties in moving around, climbing or descending Private and public houses occupied by older people
stairs and getting out may lead to increased risk and need to be made fit for these additional functions, so
fear of falls (Rowles & Bernard, 2013). Homes that are readers are advised also to consult the relevant sec-
maladjusted to the needs of older people can set off tions in the chapter on domain 8.
a whole chain of consequences that include the risk
of accidents and injuries and difficulties in performing Strategic directions for policy
the activities of daily living. These can mean that the interventions
older resident needs to move into more costly settings
of care (Braubach & Power, 2011). The goal of interventions in this domain is to
provide adequate, accessible, safe and afford-
This chapter considers housing: the third of the eight able housing; a more seamless continuum of
domains of the AFEE framework. Housing corre- housing choices; and support for ageing in
sponds to the domain with the same title in the orig- place through measures modifying the existing
inal WHO global guide (WHO, 2007a). This is the third housing stock and making newly built houses
of three domains that address the physical dimension better adjusted to older people’s needs.
of age-friendly environments. Housing has important
Housing
Housing is an important determinant of health and multifactorial home-based programmes that include
quality of life of older people. Housing conditions have home evaluations and modifications; physical activity
been identified as one of the mechanisms through or exercise; education, vision and medication checks;
which social inequality translates into health inequality and assistive technology to prevent falls (Chase et al.,
(Braubach & Savelsberg, 2009). One reason housing is 2012). Alongside assessments and adaptations for
so crucial for older people is that they spend a larger homes that reduce physical barriers for impaired indi-
amount of their time at home than other age groups (for viduals, the home is also a setting to support preven-
example, in the United Kingdom older people spend tion by ensuring safe physical activity, healthy living and
70–90% of their time at home). Older people wish to rehabilitation (Stolee et al., 2012; Geraedts et al., 2013).
stay in their own homes and familiar surrounding as
long as possible, rather than moving to potentially more Studies suggest that the burden of maladjusted and
adapted or accommodating locations or residential unhealthy housing for older people in the European
care facilities (Rosso, Auchincloss & Michael, 2011). Region is high, as are the costs to society related to
The political aim of “ageing in place” is based on this it. A study from England, United Kingdom (Garrett &
aspiration and has been widely adopted. Burris, 2015), found that the total cost to the national
health service attributable to the health outcomes for
Homes can be supportive of active and healthy living older people from unhealthy housing is some £1.4 bil-
on multiple levels. The physical design and layout of lion (around €1.7 billion) per year. This includes direct
houses influence healthy living, exposure to risks and costs to the health system alone and represents only
the ease of performing daily activities. Moreover, influ- a fraction of the total cost to society, which could
ences of household composition and the direct hous- be saved if hazards were removed or reduced to a
ing environment can provide opportunities for social non-health-threatening level. It has been estimated
contact, social networks and feelings of safety and that the investment of £10 billion needed to improve
support. Research has shown that falls can be pre- all the 3.5 million “poor” homes in England, United
vented and older adults’ functional ability preserved by Kingdom, would pay for itself in just over seven years
40
Key facts
• Older adults spend a large proportion of their time at home; for people aged over 80 years this can be more
than 80% (Iwarsson et al., 2007).
• Inlivethein institutions
age groups between 65 and 84 years, the majority (67%) live with a partner, 28% live alone and 2%
in the 31 countries for which data were available. In the age group 85 years and over, the
proportion of those living with a partner decreases to 32%, while almost half (47%) live alone and 13% in
institutions (Eurostat, 2016).
• Low indoor temperatures have been estimated to cause 13 deaths per 100 000 population each year in the
WHO European Region. Older people are at greatest risk of indoor cold-related health effects (WHO, 2006;
Braubach, Jacobs & Ormandy, 2011). In 2014 11.8% of people aged over 65 years in the EU reported
being unable to keep their home adequately warm (Eurostat, 2015b).
• High indoor temperatures are also a health risk, in particular for people of advanced ages and with pre-ex-
isting medical conditions. The European heatwaves in 2003 were responsible for more than 70 000 deaths.
Significant consequences were also caused by the Russian heatwaves, forest fires and associated air
pollution in 2010 (McGregor et al., 2015). In 2012 16.6% of people aged over 65 years in the EU reported
being unable to keep their home comfortably cool during the summer (Eurostat, 2016).
• In the EU 47% of non-fatal injuries among older people occur at home (EuroSafe, 2013). Poor design or
construction of homes plays an important role in home accidents.
• Injuries in people aged over 60 years account for almost 60% of all injury-related hospital bed days (Bauer &
Kisser, 2013). More than one quarter of all people suffering a hip fracture die within a year of falling; another
50% never return to their prior level of mobility (EuroSafe, 2013).
• Of people aged over 65 living independently, 30% fall each year (Bauer & Kisser, 2013). Falls are the most
preventable cause of needing nursing home placement. Home-based exercise programmes and home
safety interventions can reduce the number of falls by 15–20% (Gillespie et al., 2012).

and continue to accrue benefits into the future. More In some countries in Europe – in particular in rural and
policy efforts are needed to reflect the housing-related remote areas – essential services such as connection
needs of older people. to a sewerage system or basic sanitation like having a
bath or shower may be an issue, with older people usu-
A number of policy frameworks at the international ally even more affected than other age groups (WHO
level and an increasing number of national frameworks Regional Office for Europe, 2012c; Eurostat, 2015c).
support commitments to improve housing to amelio-
rate health and quality of life. The Istanbul Declaration Affordability is critical.
on Human Settlements (UN-Habitat, 1996) features a High house prices and rents and housing shortages
commitment by Member States to “endorse the univer- in many metropolitan areas have made living in urban
sal goals of ensuring adequate shelter for all and mak- centres less affordable. Living at the periphery, how-
ing human settlements safer, healthier and more live- ever, may make access to community life and services
able, equitable, sustainable and productive”. Within the more challenging. The availability of subsidized housing
EU the European Social Charter identifies the right to and housing adapted to the needs of older people or
adequate housing under article 31 (Council of Europe, in compliance with accessibility standards varies widely
1996). across Europe. Production of social housing in the
EU decreased between 2009 and 2012, while at the
The following sections bring together potential objec- same time the number of households on waiting lists
tives, features and initiatives for the main areas of inter- for social housing increased (Housing Europe, 2015).
vention that practitioners and policy initiatives have Housing and related services have also been particu-
identified as relevant for age-friendly housing. A table larly adversely affected by the economic and financial
at the end of the chapter provides practical examples crisis as governments cut expenditure (Frazer & Marlier,
that show how local governments have operationalized 2011). Nevertheless, a number of countries in central,
areas for action into their action plans. eastern and southern Europe that have traditionally
had high rates of home ownership have in recent years
Combating inequity through improved started to develop new social housing programmes. 41
housing
Additional financial pressure can be caused by util-
Ensuring equitable availability of adequate ity costs – such as the cost of heating – which may
housing for older people is crucial in reducing be high compared to pension levels in the area. This
the health gap and protecting older people under creates the risk that older people may face tough
socioeconomic pressures from serious health choices between spending on heating and on other
consequences. essentials, such as food or co-payments for medical
Housing quality is an important factor for older people’s services. Large differences occur between countries in
mental health (Howden-Chapman et al., 2011; Kendig, the European Region, but in some countries over 40%
Clemson & Mackenzie, 2012). Older people with lower of older people are unable to keep their houses ade-
socioeconomic status are more likely to live in disad- quately warm and another 17% are unable to keep the
vantaged neighbourhoods and occupying lower-quality home cool in the summer (Eurostat, 2015b; 2016).
housing; they are also more exposed to environmental
risks in the private home or residential area (Braubach Some countries have shown how collaboration
& Fairburn, 2010). Socioeconomic pressure can lead with private landlords can help to tackle
to insufficient investment in maintenance (Begley & housing-related problems.
Lambie-Hanson, 2015). Research on social determi- Local authorities or social renting agencies can
nants of health and well-being suggests that housing mediate between private landlords and low-income
tenure explains the prevalence of functional limitations households. Programmes of such agencies have,
in people aged over 75 years, even when it is controlled for instance, used vacant property for social hous-
for higher age, living arrangements and subjective ing or offered tax incentives to private landlords who
income adequacy (Matthews et al., 2005). charge moderate rents. Taxation on empty homes is an
Housing
alternative means of reacting to artificially high housing targeted at those with a history of falling or known risk
prices (Housing Europe, 2015). With the policy aim of factors (Clemson et al., 2008).
ageing in place, the demand for adaptations of private
homes is increasing. Whether home modifications by themselves can be
effective in reducing injuries (Turner et al., 2011) and
Support for home assessments, repair, which are the best tools and protocols for making home
maintenance and adaptation assessments are yet to be established. Nevertheless,
measurement of both objective and perceived home
The wish to stay in familiar homes and environments is recommended (Wahl et al., 2009).
environments calls for awareness of risks that Among the factors addressed in a typical home visit
increase with age-related decline in functional are assessment and improvement of lighting; identifi-
abilities. cation and removal of rugs and other trip hazards; and
Approximately half of falls occurs indoors, so the home installation of railings on staircases and in bathrooms
environment is critical for avoiding them (Rubenstein, and toilets. Home safety interventions and home modi-
2006). Four areas of household activities have been fications have also been discussed as an important ele-
identified that may be particularly problematic for older ment in helping people living with dementia to feel safe
people: entering and exiting the home; moving around (Alzheimer Europe, 2013).
at home; climbing stairs; and using sanitary and kitchen
facilities (Braubach & Power, 2011). In order to support A number of countries have developed systems
ageing in place, age-friendly policies need to under- to provide programmes and grants for home
stand these risks better and help to prevent them. modifications to adapt existing housing for older
people to enable independent living and home
Evidence suggests that home safety care as far as possible.
interventions such as hazard assessment and Publicly subsidized provision and easy access to home
active modification of homes can reduce the risk maintenance and modification services can help to
42 of falls in older people. make homes more accessible and support ageing in
Studies indicate that unsafe features of stairs can be dignity and autonomy, avoiding injuries or institutional-
a frequent source of accidents. Risks frequently iden- ization and the high costs related to this (WHO, 2015b).
tified include uneven or excessively high or narrow Evaluations of provision of such services in local com-
steps, slippery surfaces, unmarked edges, discontinu- munities consistently found that older people greatly
ous or poorly fitted handrails and inadequate or exces- valued such services. Moreover, old people living in
sive lighting (Braubach, Jacobs & Ormandy, 2011). A more accessible housing perceive their homes as more
high risk of falls was also found in homes with irregular useful and meaningful (Nygren et al., 2007). Less cen-
pavements leading to the residence, loose carpets on trally organized solutions in local communities include
kitchen and bathroom floors, loose electrical wires and local repair shops and caretakers in buildings.
inconvenient doorsteps. Poor home surroundings such
as garden paths and walks that are cracked or slippery House maintenance assistance could help to
from rain, snow or moss are also dangerous. Entrance prevent injuries and increase quality of life.
stairs and poor night lighting can also pose risks (WHO, Older people spend less on home maintenance and
2007b). Prevention of falls can be achieved through repair and often live in areas where there are more
programmes of combined home assessments and complaints about less well maintained houses. Projects
active interventions in home modification, particularly could assist older home owners financially and with
for older people with functional limitations or a history practical help to keep up maintenance (Begley &
of falling (Braubach & Power, 2011). Lambie-Hanson, 2015).
There are indications that combining individual assess- The decision to apply for home adaptations
ments and home modifications with physical exercise, or to move to more adjusted housing involves
education and vision checks or assistive technology complex processes and decisions that involve
may yield the strongest effects (Chase et al., 2012). the maintenance of self-identity.
Home safety measures are more effective when deliv- Well-being and healthy ageing depend not only on
ered by an occupational therapist (Gillespie et al., 2012), accessibility problems but also on the perceived usabil-
when they involve a multidisciplinary team and when ity, meaning and satisfaction of home (Nygren et al.,

2007). Even with declining health, the majority of older resources and toolkits). As information and guidance
people manage to find ways of supporting themselves these should also be widely applied to private houses
in mainstream housing. Any offer of support needs to where older people live. Public subsidies can support
have dignity, autonomy and the choice and agency of their implementation. The guidelines can also be used
the older person at its core. If not, home modifications as checklists to assess action and investment needed
and other supporting devices or services installed may for public housing options for older people, including
disrupt routines, remind the older person of disabilities for assisted living or similar residential housing.
and affect the sense of identity. Interventions that aim
to support autonomy, control and self-management Development and implementation of age-
are more likely to be successful if aligned with prefer- friendly building guidelines should be promoted.
ences and experiences of the older person (Pettersson, Safety from risks is a particular consideration in build-
Löfqvist & Fänge, 2012). ings built especially for older people, like retirement
homes and senior centres, where large numbers
Setting and enforcing standards for of individuals with elevated risk live or visit regularly
newly built houses (WHO, 2007b). In mainstream housing, however, few
effective controls on new and existing dwellings are
A distinction is often made between general housing in place. In recent times, a number of more specific
– made up of houses where older people live inde- design guidelines for age-friendly housing have been
pendently or with partners or family – and specific shel- developed, such as that under the WelHops project
tered housing that is a more age-segregated arrange- (Box 7).
ment like residential care, where care can be delivered.
A number of topics related to accessibility of public Duties and responsibilities of private landlords
buildings also apply to the design of publicly or privately can be framed in such a way that they
owned housing. include responsibility for maintenance and
safety, backed by regulations and supported
In many countries, guidelines have been developed by systems and resources to monitor their 43
that cover aspects of safety and accessibility to take compliance.
account of the changing needs of ageing societies Action plans have included campaigns and publicity
and offer tips for modification and maintenance to to inform housing owners and managers (in both the
make housing more age-friendly (see the section on public and private sectors) of the benefits of good
Box 7. Applying WELHOPS guidelines in the City of Gyoer, Hungary
The municipality of Gyoer, Hungary is among several cities across Europe that use guidelines for the planning
of houses for senior citizens, which were developed and piloted through the WELHOPS project. WELHOPS
involved partners from five countries: Hungary (Gyoer municipality), Italy, Spain, Sweden and the United
Kingdom.
The guidelines list design principles that support senior citizens in their goal to live in their own homes for as
long as possible, developed by an international working group of sociologists, economists, architects, engi-
neers and those responsible for study and research in social welfare. They cover aspects of both the direct
home and housing needs of older people and accessibility, as well as the quality and safety of the immediate
surroundings and of services closely related to housing such as parking, cleaning or postal services.
These guidelines have supported both the planning of new homes and the renovating of older people’s homes.
The local government also created a dedicated fund, which allows older people to apply for money to renovate
their flats according to the design guidelines.
Sources: Interreg IVC (2015); Brighton & Hove City Council (2007).
Housing
maintenance and improvement, including the protec- Local authorities and urban planners
tion of their property from deterioration. While aware- increasingly recognize the importance of
ness-raising campaigns are important, their effective- housing for the health and welfare of older
ness could be improved by legal measures placing residents.
duties and responsibilities for the maintenance of Housing is highly relevant for the health and well-be-
their housing on landlords, housing companies and ing of older people, which calls for active involvement,
managers. close cooperation and coordination of efforts from pub-
lic health professionals, urban planners, older people,
Creating broader housing choices that social services and housing departments at the munic-
support independence ipal level and other actors.
Healthy housing conditions can stimulate Local and regional authorities’ strategies and policies
active and healthy lifestyles, prevent limitations can strengthen the provision of varied and adequate
in activities of daily living and help to avoid housing that promotes health, intergenerational mix and
unnecessary institutionalization. social contact for an ageing population (Kärnekull, 2011).
Local authorities have an important role to play in Local authorities typically assess the housing needs of
the provision of housing choices that meet the need their areas and have responsibility for developing and
of older people, support participation and ageing in implementing strategies for the provision of new housing
place and protect older people from conditions that and the application and enforcement of standards. They
could threaten their health and safety. can also ensure that inadequate housing in the existing
stock is identified and necessary action taken. Especially
Providing appropriate housing choices for an ageing in countries where local authorities administer a large
population goes beyond planning for institutional long- proportion of the public or social housing that aims to
term care (see also the chapter on domain 8: commu- provide housing for less wealthy population groups,
nity and health services). For older people the house public housing can have an impact on the health and
44 and direct housing environment often determine the well-being of the most vulnerable groups of older people
decision of whether living independently is still pos- (Braubach, Jacobs & Ormandy, 2011).
sible; whether age-related reductions in physical and
cognitive capacities can be compensated by building Some countries have reacted to the
modifications; and whether relocation to a long-term demographic shift by providing senior housing,
care setting is necessary. For a number of countries adjusted to the accessibility needs of older
(such as the United Kingdom) it has been noted that people.
overall little progress seems to have been made in In some countries, local authorities and housing mar-
creating wider housing choices and improving hous- kets have responded to the changing needs of older
ing affordability for older people (Pannell, Aldridge & people by building new senior housing, mapping and
Kenway, 2012). increasing the accessibility of existing neighbourhoods
and houses and counselling senior citizens about avail-
While needs and life situations change with increasing able age-friendly housing options. Accessibility of age-
age, financial or administrative barriers and a short- friendly housing is increased by handling separate wait-
age of more supportive housing options in the same ing lists or registers for adults aged over 55 years who
neighbourhood may hinder older people from moving are interested in more accessible housing.
to a more adjusted place. In parallel, architectural as
well as financial limitations may not allow for the imple- Where special apartments for older people are avail-
mentation of required building modifications. For older able, their attractiveness will depend on where they are
people their apartment or house may have become located. (See also the chapters on domain 1: outdoor
too big or maintenance might be overburdening, environments and domain 2: transport and mobility on
especially for those living alone. Home owners may well maintained neighbourhoods with good services –
want to sell their house, in which case special advice health care, groceries, childcare – at walking distance
regarding the administrative and financial implications and with connections to cultural and other leisure-time
of such a decision is needed. activities.)

Box 8. Health has no age – a comprehensive settings approach for health promotion in residential
homes
When older people live in residential care facilities, this has major health effects on users, staff and relatives. In
contrast to hospitals with a longstanding tradition of health promotion, however, examples of health promotion
are rare in this setting.
The innovative health-promoting Health has no age project in Vienna investigated the potential of a compre-
hensive settings approach for health promotion in residential care facilities for older people, with the aim of
promoting positive health for all stakeholders (residents, staff, relatives and volunteers). It was conducted as
a pilot in three sites (with 900 residents and 300 staff) of Vienna’s largest care provider from 2011 to 2013.
Evaluation of the pilot used qualitative and quantitative methods. Starting with a systematic needs assess-
ment, the project developed and implemented health promotion strategies and measures that comprised:
• aeffectiveness;
mobility enhancement intervention for residents as a randomized controlled trial, which demonstrated
• measures to improve the involvement of relatives;

• several staff health measures.
The project showed that it is possible to implement a comprehensive health promotion approach in this
setting. Agenda-setting for health promotion in this setting seemed especially successful. Experiences and
results of a follow-up project have led to further specification and the scaling-up to other homes in Vienna in
2013–2015. Scaling-up/transfer projects were undertaken in Styria.
Sources: Krajic, Cichocki & Quehenberger (2015); personal communication from Ursula Huebel,
Wiener Gesundheitsfoerderung/Vienna Health Promotion.
45
Residential care homes are a form of housing that pro- a voluntary basis, independent from or complemen-
vides a continuum of housing choices from assisted tary to family support.
living to more service-intensive settings. They have
received more attention in recent years, strengthening The home can be a site of prevention and
their role as a health-promoting setting. An example is rehabilitation.
the Health has no age project in Austria (Box 8). Several intervention programmes have explored
homes as settings for preventive interventions for
Access to services needs to be addressed in healthy living in old age (Geraedts et al., 2013). Home-
relation to housing. based individual exercise programmes have been
Older people, especially those in higher age groups, shown to be effective in preventing falls, as are group-
may need support with a number of services in order based exercise programmes (Gillespie et al., 2012).
to be able to lead independent lives and to age in
place. This includes small repairs in the home, clean- The home might become a setting for care
ing and gardening, which may be expensive and provision.
scarce and are often not included in available social Particularly with technological innovation and remote
services. Volunteering services and family or neigh- surveillance programmes, the opportunities to live
bourhood help can provide support with some of at home longer are expanded. Neither mainstream
these services for older people who live alone or far housing nor senior housing is usually built in ways that
from their families. Where older people live together consider that care may need to be delivered at home.
and jointly age in place, some neighbourhoods have Design guidelines available for service houses and life-
taken the initiative to create what in the United States time homes could therefore guide the design of new
of America has been called “naturally occurring retire- senior flats that would enable care situations at home,
ment communities” that commit to mutual support on or the modification of existing homes to allow people
Housing
in need of care to remain in their local and social set- rental arrangements with municipal housing providers.
tings. Despite promising results from home-based The participative management of the house and com-
interventions, the socially isolating effects of home- munal facilities gives older people the opportunity to
based prevention and rehabilitation programmes have make decisions together and stay socially integrated in
to be considered (see the section on ambient assisted the community (Choi, 2004; Killock, 2014).
living in the chapter on domain 8: community and
health services). In multigenerational houses different generations
live under one roof.
Alternative models of living: In some countries communal forms of living – similar
collaboration with private and user- to cohouses – have developed around the concept of
driven initiatives multigenerational living. By co-locating families, stu-
dents, working adults and seniors in the same house,
Alternative housing options for older people include multigenerational housing stimulates social living activ-
sharing close neighbourhood ties with people who are ities and facilitate neighbourhood support in the hous-
not necessarily from one’s own family. Such arrange- ing community. Its aims are to increase intergenera-
ments enable spaces that respect older people’s tional understanding and support.
wish for autonomy while encouraging social support
networks – for instance, in the form of older peo- Another form of intergenerational housing has emerged
ple babysitting neighbours’ children and neighbours in particular in university cities – namely, intergenera-
helping with shopping and gardening. To enable such tional flat-shares or home-shares that exchange hous-
neighbourhood ties, however, houses need to be built ing space for help in the home (Fox, 2011). The con-
and designed in a way that supports social contact and cept recognizes that older people may have a room
exchange with neighbours, while giving the possibility to spare in their house or apartment while in need of
of retreat. support or company, and that younger generations are
often in need of cheaper housing while having some
46 Extra-care houses can be an alternative to time and enjoying physical fitness. Not-for-profit orga-
residential care. nizations match older people and younger people and
Special service houses or “extra-care houses” have provide assistance in case of problems. Typically, rent
been developed in some countries as an alternative to would be cheaper for the young person in exchange for
classical residential care services. Such houses typi- company and/or an agreed level of support (like cook-
cally provide self-contained accommodation adapted ing or cleaning, but not including care) and trial peri-
to some limitations in functioning and activities of daily ods are arranged to test that a mutual understanding
living (such as mobility, hearing and visual limitations) of what is expected works in practice (Sánchez et al.,
and offer a number of services and care packages that 2011). A nursing home in the Netherlands has applied
can support people living with limitations and can mit- such a system on an institutional level, allowing uni-
igate the need for relocating to institutional care. Often versity students to live rent-free in small apartments in
staff offices offer 24-hour support, and access to other a retirement home in exchange for 30 hours of “good
services such as catering, activity rooms, library, hair- neighbouring” services.
dresser and similar is provided in the house or neigh-
bourhood (Croucher, Hicks & Jackson, 2006). Villages and retirement communities facilitate
access to existing services and aim to enable
Cohousing is a created community of private older adults to enhance their own well-being.
homes clustered around shared space. Village concepts take the idea of service homes one step
In cohouses people have their own self-contained apart- further by enabling older people to remain in an inde-
ments but are also living as a group sharing common pendent home and maximizing the potential of commu-
rooms (such as a guest room, hobby room, large kitchen nity social organization (Scharlach et al., 2014). People
or dining room) in a building designed for ease of access live in specifically designed supportive environments
and stimulating social interaction. Cohouses emerged and can access specialized services and programmes
mainly as the result of civil society campaigns that estab- without relying on family and friends. Individual villages
lished close cooperation with public housing authorities. have been built for people living with dementia, such as
Exact models for cohouses differ from country to coun- De Hogewijk in the Netherlands. While first evaluations
try, ranging from building/home owners’ cooperatives to from similar projects in the United Kingdom have been

positive, various ethical debates and concerns about risk to human health (Watts et al., 2015). Emergency
dignity, costs and equity in access remain to be fur- preparedness calls for well coordinated intersectoral
ther explored (Liddle et al., 2014). planning, such as for an increasing number of heat-
waves, floods or storms (Vandentorren et al., 2004).
Support for relocation Heat-related health risks, for instance, can be reduced
through systematic development of heatwave early
The aim of ageing in place is to enable people to warning systems (McGregor et al., 2015). Effective
stay in their home as long as possible. Nevertheless, measures to communicate risks and prevent disas-
there may be a time when relocation into safer, more ters require cooperation between environmental, social
adapted or more supportive settings is necessary. and medical organizations (WHO Regional Office for
Such transitions are important moments when older Europe, 2013b).
people can be supported in order to avoid negative
consequences. Relocation can be supported in a A concern in a number of countries in Europe is
number of ways (Granbom et al., 2014), including into so-called “excess winter deaths” among older
care facilities and assisted living. age groups of the population.
Poor control of indoor temperature (cold in winter or
Easing the negative impacts of giving up a heat in summer) causes deaths and other adverse
home and sustaining a sense of continuity can health events among older people and people with
be supported by return visits to the former pre-existing health problems. The quality and energy
residence or neighbourhood. efficiency of housing across the social gradient should
Case workers, family and local actors can help older be reconsidered (WHO Regional Office for Europe,
people who relocate to retain social relationships and 2012c). Ensuring fuel efficiency is a key priority in both
have opportunities to make return visits. In some new housing developments and refurbishment of older
instances, maintaining membership in local asso- housing stock, with older people often more affected
ciations, churches or clubs can help to facilitate the and the oldest of old age groups at higher risks of
transition. adverse health effects. 47
Security and safety, including crime Crime prevention is crucial to increasing the
prevention feeling of safety at home.
Concerns over safety at home also include the per-
Housing professionals can offer an important ceived threat of crime and burglary. Concerns over
contribution to making housing safer and both safety and fraud targeted at older people threaten
healthier. housing satisfaction and are often raised in age-friendly
All those involved in the design, construction, man- assessments with older people. In Ireland, for exam-
agement, maintenance and repair or rehabilitation of ple, a number of communities have started to collab-
housing and building-related equipment need to be orate with the local police to improve older people’s
aware of the links between housing conditions and awareness of common security risks. Intersectoral
health. By involving different sectors and approaches, collaboration between local security forces and seniors
new and innovative solutions can be developed in a specific neighbourhood are very popular and well
to avoid health- and safety-threatening housing accepted initiatives that can increase feelings of safety
conditions. (Age Friendly Ireland, 2015).
Failing to consider the needs of older people Policy interventions and initiatives by
can cost lives in times of emergencies like action area and objective
heatwaves, flooding or earthquakes.
Extreme weather conditions and their effects on health Table 3 follows the structure of this chapter’s proposed
are already felt. Future projections in the face of climate directions for interventions and objectives and adds
change suggest that events with the magnitude of the examples from existing age-friendly strategies, action
Russian heatwave of 2010 could become more com- plans and case studies. Interventions and initiatives
mon. In the light of both a growing proportion of peo- mentioned may be projects already implemented in
ple over the age of 65 years and continuing migration local contexts or those designed for implementation in
to cities, the risk of mortality represent a high potential an age-friendly action plan.
Housing
Table 3. Practice examples for housing from local age-friendly action plans and assessments

Combating Ensuring equitable • Enforcing maintenance and quality guidelines of public
inequity through availability of adequate and private housing
improved housing housing • Ensuring the possibility of housing allowances or subsi-
dies (including for age-friendly flats)
(cross-cutting with
domain 1: outdoor Ensuring appropriate- • Regulating the housing market to provide alternative
environments, domain ness and affordability housing options for home owners
2: transport and of age-friendly housing • Ensuring adequate quantity of social or low-cost housing
• Counteracting
mobility and domain
5: social inclusion and
options socioeconomic segregation of neighbour-
non-discrimination) hoods by mixing areas of subsidized rental and owner-
occupied housing
• Ensuring non-discrimination in access to adapted housing
options (based on individual assessments rather than age
barriers)
Ensuring access to • Offering subsidies to ensure access to safe water and
essential services sanitation
• Providing information and subsidies for heating and
energy efficiency
Ensuring supportive • Ensuring accessible and well lit and maintained outdoor
neighbourhoods environments and entrances to buildings
• Building ramps and connecting barrier-free footpaths and
cycle paths to apartment buildings
48 • Ensuring accessible transport options (distance to trans-
port stops of less than 300 metres)
Support for home Providing support for • Providing a small repairs home service (also by organizing
assessments and repair and maintenance volunteers and/or general “caretaker” professions)
modifications • Providing home hazard assessments and professionally
supported evaluations of fall risks
(cross-cutting with
domain 6: civic • Organizing local repair shops to carry out or provide
guidance for repairs and adaptations (such as car repair
engagement and
employment) shops run by people in the neighbourhood or volunteers)
• Caretakers/concierges in buildings
Providing support for • Establishing local services to advise on individual needs
home modifications and feasible modification measures in a given home
• Offering grant schemes for home adaptations and
maintenance
• Offering government-subsidized home maintenance
support
• Providing specialized advice and support for home adap-
tations for people suffering from dementia

Table 3 contd

Setting and Age-friendly building • Developing adjusted or implementing existing design
enforcing and design guidelines guidelines for adapted housing for older people
standards for • Application of “lifetime homes and neighbourhoods”
newly built houses concepts – ordinary homes designed to incorporate
design criteria that can be universally applied to new
homes at minimal cost
• Setting up “20-minute neighbourhoods” with key facilities
within easy reach of older people’s housing
• Ensuring intergenerational mix in newly constructed apart-
ment blocks
Creating broader Developing a vision • Using housing needs assessments and surveys to under-
housing choices and strategy to meet stand the needs and preferences of older people and how
that support changed housing needs well they are met by the available housing market (such as
independence of older people a fairer housing delivery plan)
(cross-cutting with
• Monitoring and regulating trends in the real estate market,
creating favourable conditions for provision of accessible
domain 7: communi-
housing
cation and informa-
tion and domain 8: • Setting up a multisectoral working group or partnership
community and health
services)
• Mapping accessible housing and identifying sites where
adaptable structures and diverse housing options could
be developed
• Including older people in urban and residential planning
49
committees (also reaching out to very dependent and
isolated groups)
Informing and helping • Providing municipal guidance on available services, sup-
older people to plan for port, housing options and application procedures
ageing in place • Raising awareness of fall prevention in home settings
• older people’s
Offering counselling and information on grants to solve
housing problems and help to apply for
support
• Accessible housing registers where older people inter-
ested in more accessible housing can register
Making existing housing • Providing sufficient numbers and diverse sizes of age-
stock appropriate and friendly and accessible flats in the community (to fit the
safe for older people diverse needs of older people) and assisted housing for
older people
• Providing information, support and incentives for the
modification of existing homes
• Providing timely access to accessible housing for older
people
• Considering technical solutions to support older people
who are dependent or need more support
• Decentralizing distribution of age-friendly and specialized
housing so that older people who are willing to relocate
do not need to leave their district
Housing
Table 3 contd

Access to services • Maintaining services in neighbourhoods
• Keeping a registry of reliable and honest services and
handy people (sometimes connected to information cen-
tres or telephone hotlines)
• Providing agencies to coordinate services and provide
information on services that enable people to stay at
home for longer (such as a home improvement agency,
geriatric centres)
• Developing options for home delivery (such as, most
prominently, a meals on wheels services)
• Developing service housing (see the chapter on domain 8:
community and health services)
Multisectoral • Collaborating with small businesses to support integra-
collaborations tion, proximity and co-location of services (in particular
commercial services such as bakeries, grocery stores,
pharmacies and health centres)
• Collaborating with care providers, third sectors and net-
works of professionals to provide support to people in
their homes
• Creating initiatives with private tenants to build more
accessible housing and make their houses more age-
friendly – e.g. avoiding noise and litter
50
• Municipal bank offering support products useful and safe
for older people
Home as a site for pre- • Offering remote (phone- or IT-based) support or home
vention, rehabilitation courses to encourage physical activity
and care provision • Offering gym and exercise at home programmes
• or physiotherapists)
Providing visiting services from specialists (occupational
to find solutions and offer training on
how to overcome functional limitations
Alternative models Extra-care housing • Providing choice of houses with care
of living
(cross-cutting with
Cooperative housing • Setting up cooperative housing arrangements with com-
mon areas that allow for joint activities
domain 4: social
participation)
Intergenerational • Intergenerational flat-share: centralizing municipal services

housing to bring together students in need of accommodation and
older people who would like to share their houses with a
young person
• Offering support for intergenerational housing projects
Village models • Offering supported housing solutions, service housing,
grouping of individual apartments and houses around an
infrastructure that enables autonomy

Table 3 contd

Support for Access to residential • Creating effective and responsive systems for exchange
relocation care for all if needed of flats (e.g. from larger houses to smaller more adapted
and wanted housing)
• Organizing day care and assisted living solutions for those
who do not require 24-hour complex care
• Providing assisted and safe housing and access to day
care services for people living with dementia
• Integrating residential housing in communities
Supporting a feeling of • Providing adequate space in residential care facilities,
“home” and for retention and storage of private possessions and
artefacts/memories
• Reconnecting people with their past
Security and Crime prevention • Collaborating with police on crime prevention pro-
safety grammes to protect older people from fraud
(cross-cutting with
• Organizing ambassador and peer-to-peer initiatives (e.g.
Seniors for Themselves; Crime Prevention Ambassadors)
• Organizing
domain 5: social
community policing initiatives, with police pres-
inclusion and
non-discrimination) ence in neighbourhoods that are perceived as unsafe
• Having regular meetings between older people in the
neighbourhood and police forces
(cross-cutting with Feeling of safety at • Offering free home safety checks
51
domains 1: outdoor
environments)
home and in the • Offering technical support for personal alarms (buttons or
neighbourhood pendants), video surveillance, door phones and security
lights
• Fire prevention at home
• Setting up call centres for older people with or without
remote sensors in ambient assisted living
• Combating antisocial behaviour
• Setting up text alerts and friendly call initiatives (that have
a registry of older people at risk of isolation), and organiz-
ing visiting services if the person does not respond to the
phone in the morning
Extreme weather events • Organizing visiting schemes during heatwaves
• Offering support for energy-efficient adaptations or fuel
subsidies during extreme cold
Emergency • Ensuring emergency exit doors adapted to the needs of
preparedness people with reduced mobility
• Developing services to identify, locate and reach at-risk
populations
Resources and toolkits

Braubach M, Jacobs DE, Ormandy D, editors
Andrews J, Molyneux A (2013). Dementia: find- (2011). Environmental burden of disease associ-
ing housing solutions. London: National Housing ated with inadequate housing: summary report.
Federation. Copenhagen: WHO Regional Office for Europe
(http://www.euro.who.int/en/publications/abstracts/
Housing
environmental-burden-of-disease-associated-with-in- what-are-the-most-effective-interventions-to-prevent-
adequate-housing.-summary-report, accessed 2 these-falls, accessed 2 October 2015).
October 2015).
Further reading
Davidson M, Roys M, Nicol S, Ormandy D, Ambrose
P (2010). The real cost of poor housing. Watford/ Brandt A, Samuelsson K, Toytari O, Salminen AL
Bracknell: IHS BRE Press (http://www.brebookshop. (2011). Activity and participation, quality of life and user
com/details.jsp?id=325401, accessed 2 April 2016) satisfaction outcomes of environmental control sys-
tems and smart home technology: a systematic review.
Fuggle L (2013). Designing interiors for people with Disabil Rehabil Assist Technol. 6(3):189–206.
dementia, fourth edition. Stirling: Dementia Services
Development Centre. Frazer H, Marlier E (2011). Social impact of the cri-
sis and developments in the light of fiscal consolida-
German Federal Ministry for Family Affairs, Senior tion measures. Brussels: EU Network of Independent
Citizens, Women and Youth (2014). Länger Experts on Social Inclusion.
zuhause leben [Living at home for longer]. Berlin:
Bundesministerium für Famile, Senioren, Frauen und Health Quality Ontario (2008). Prevention of falls and
Jugend (in German). fall-related injuries in community-dwelling seniors: an
evidence-based analysis. Ont Health Technol Assess
Homes and Communities Agency (2009). Ser. 8(2):1–78.
Housing our ageing population: panel for innova-
tion (HAPPI). London: Homes and Communities Jones P, Patterson J, Lannon S (2007). Modelling the
Agency (https://www.gov.uk/government/ built environment at an urban scale: energy and health
publications/housing-our-ageing-population-pan- impacts in relation to housing. Landscape Urban Plan.
el-for-innovation, accessed 2 October 2015) 83(1):39–49.
52
Housing LIN (2011). EVOLVE tool – evaluation of older Lee HC, Chang KC, Tsauo JY, Hung JW, Huang YC,
people’s living environments. Sheffield: University of Lin SI (2013). Effects of a multifactorial fall prevention
Sheffield (http://www.housinglin.org.uk/Topics/type/ program on fall incidence and physical function in com-
resource/?cid=7997, accessed 1 April 2016) munity-dwelling older adults with risk of falls. Arch Phys
Med Rehabil. 94(4):606–15.e1.
Pfeiferova S, Lux M, Dvorak T, Havlikova J, Mikeszova
M, Sunega P, editors (2013). Housing and social care Letts L, Moreland J, Richardson J, Coman L, Edwards
for the elderly in central Europe: WP3 main findings M, Ginis KM et al. (2010). The physical environment as
report. Prague: HELPS project. a fall risk factor in older adults: systematic review and
meta-analysis of cross-sectional and cohort studies.
RH Environmental Limited, BRE Group (2012). Aust Occup Ther J. 57(1):51–64.
Housing health cost calculator [website]. Swansea:
RH Environmental Limited (https://www.housing- Liu CJ, Mab VE, Horton SBK, Mears KE (2013).
healthcosts.org/, accessed 2 April 2016). Occupational therapy interventions to improve perfor-
mance of daily activities at home for older adults with
Scott Ball M (2012). Aging in place: a toolkit for local low vision: a systematic review. Am J Occup Ther.
governments. Atlanta: Atlanta Regional Commission. 67(3):279–87.
Todd C, Skelton D (2004). What are the main risk fac- Lorenc A, Pedro L, Badesha B, Dize C, Fernow I, Dias L
tors for falls amongst older people and what are the (2013). Tackling fuel poverty through facilitating energy
most effective interventions to prevent these falls? tariff switching: a participatory action research study in
Copenhagen: WHO Regional Office for Europe (http:// vulnerable groups. Public Health. 127(10):894–901.
www.euro.who.int/en/health-topics/Life-stages/
healthy-ageing/publications/pre-2009/what-are-the- Lyons RA, John A, Brophy S, Jones SJ, Johansen
main-risk-factors-for-falls-amongst-older-people-and- A, Kemp A et al. (2006). Modification of the home

environment for the reduction of injuries. Cochrane Skelton DA, Howe TE, Ballinger C, Neil F, Palmer S, Gray
Database Syst Rev. 4:CD003600. L (2013). Environmental and behavioural interventions for
reducing physical activity limitation in community-dwell-
Nyman SR, Ballinger C, Phillips JE, Newton R (2013). ing visually impaired older people. Cochrane Database
Characteristics of outdoor falls among older peo- Syst Rev. 6:CD009233.
ple: a qualitative study. BMC Geriatr.13:125. doi:
10.1186/1471-2318-13-125. Thomson H, Thomas S, Sellstrom E, Petticrew M (2012).
Housing improvements for health and associated
Nyman SR, Victor CR (2012). Older people’s partici- socio-economic outcomes. Cochrane Database Syst
pation in and engagement with falls prevention inter- Rev. 2:CD008657. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD008657.
ventions in community settings: an augment to the pub2.
Cochrane systematic review. Age Ageing. 41(1):16–23.
doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/ageing/afr103. Tse T (2005). The environment and falls prevention: do
environmental modifications make a difference? Aust
Rubenstein LZ, Josephson KR (2005). Intervenciones Occup Ther J. 52(4):271–81.
para reducir los riesgos multifactoriales de caidas
[Interventions to reduce the multifactorial risks for fall- Van Loenhout JA, le Grand A, Duijm F, Greven F, Vink NM,
ing]. Rev Esp Geriatr Gerontol. 40(Suppl. 2):45–53 (in Hoek G et al. (2015). The effect of high indoor tempera-
Spanish). tures on self-perceived health of elderly persons. Environ
Res. 19;146:27–34. doi: 10.1016/j.envres.2015.12.012.
Schoessow K (2010). Shifting from compensation to
participation: a model for occupational therapy in low
vision. Br J Occup Ther. 73(4):160–9.
53
Housing
54
Domain 4:
social participation

Domain 4:
social participation
Introduction as social, cultural and leisure activities, meetings and
religious participation) but also in informal structures of
The goal of reducing loneliness and social isolation and socializing and communicating that can take place in
reaching out to people at risk of social exclusion is at private spaces (in the form of neighbourhood contacts,
the heart of many interventions in local action plans for virtual and telephone contacts and visiting friends and
age-friendly environments. An international review of family). This comparatively broad view of social partic-
longitudinal data on individuals’ social relationships and ipation builds on a synthesis of definitions that have
mortality risk suggested that older people with ade- been used in studies of ageing (Levasseur et al., 2010).
quate social relationships had a 50% greater chance of Social participation of older people can positively affect
survival than those with poor or insufficient social rela- emotional and spiritual well-being, mental and physical
tionships. Lack of social relationships was a risk factor health and quality of life. 55
for mortality comparable with, if not greater than, such
well established risk factors as smoking, obesity and If social participation is restricted due to a perception of
physical inactivity (Holt-Lunstad et al., 2010). barriers to social life, older people can become socially
isolated. Social isolation and loneliness are often used
Social participation affects all aspects of health and interchangeably: while they have strong links, however,
well-being, from mental health and dementia to the they are not the same. Social isolation refers to an indi-
risk of emergency admissions to hospital resulting from vidual’s lack of contacts or ties with other people, such
avoidable conditions such as severe dehydration or as with family members, friends, neighbours or others.
malnutrition (WHO Regional Office for Europe, 2012a). In this sense, it is often regarded as an objective mea-
Local initiatives have consequently created numerous sure of individuals’ personal social relations. Loneliness
interventions and programmes that aim to combat is typically seen as a subjective and negative experi-
loneliness and isolation in older adults. Nevertheless, ence, felt by individuals based on perceptions of their
important gaps in research and evaluations remain, personal social relationships. Loneliness is therefore
and more in-depth studies are needed on the effec- often understood as a mismatch between the actual
tiveness of interventions in this domain to improve the and desired quality and quantity of an individual’s social
evidence base. interactions (Heylen, 2010; Burholt & Scharf, 2014).
Social participation is the first of three domains of the Social isolation can exist without loneliness and lone-
AFEE framework that address the social dimension liness without isolation. While some people may have
of age-friendly communities. It corresponds to the many social contacts and still feel lonely, others may
domain with the same title in the original WHO global have few contacts and not experience loneliness. Some
guide (WHO, 2007a). In this chapter “social participa- older people may be content in their own company or
tion” is used in the sense of a person’s involvement in even actively seek to live away from others; they may
activities that provide interaction with others in society not feel that the lack of social interaction has a negative
or in the community. This encompasses participation influence on their quality of life, so they might not wish
not only in formal structures and leisure activities (such to participate in social activities. Others may prefer to
Social participation
have more contact with people or a greater quality of older people is one of the main pathways but also one
contact with people to whom they feel close, and this of the main aims of active ageing (WHO, 2015b).
may lead to feelings of loneliness.
The original WHO global guide showed that older
Unwanted social isolation and loneliness can be a people wish to have a good balance between differ-
consequence of non-supportive social environments ent kinds of activities – leisure, creative, spiritual or
and may lead to adverse outcomes for individuals and productive (WHO, 2007a). It also pointed out that
communities. Social isolation has a tendency to occur local authorities should ensure good accessibility and
alongside other risk factors of poorer well-being (such affordability of such activities, as well as advertising
as health problems, limitations in functioning, financial them via a broad range of information channels (see
difficulties and political or neighbourhood exclusion). also the chapter on domain 7: communication and
This can challenge age-friendly policy approaches information).
that aim to promote active ageing and ageing in place
by increasing the gap between those who age actively Over the past 10–15 years evidence on good prac-
and those who are not reached and remain isolated tice relating to older adults’ participation and social
(see also the chapter on domain 6: civic engagement relationships has grown considerably. Research has
and employment). found a relatively high prevalence of loneliness in the
European Region. Exclusion from social relations has
The following sections bring together potential objec- been linked to a range of negative health and well-be-
tives, features and initiatives for the main areas of ing outcomes (Houtjes et al., 2014; Dumitrache et al.,
intervention that practitioners and policy initiatives 2015).
have identified as relevant for increasing social par-
ticipation and combating loneliness of older people, Several factors can put older women and men at
and that are part of age-friendly action plans in many greater risk of loneliness and isolation; in order to be
instances. A table at the end of the chapter provides effective, interventions need therefore to respond to
56 practical examples that show how local governments existing needs and be sensitive to the specific situ-
have operationalized areas for action into their action ations of different target groups. Loneliness, social
plans. isolation and social exclusion are risk factors most
relevant for those in very old age and those without
Strategic directions for policy family networks or with insufficient support from a net-
interventions work of friends in the neighbourhood (Dykstra, 2009).
Living in poverty or in rural and remote areas can act
as additional risk factors. Loneliness and social isola-
The goal of interventions in this domain is to pro-
tion affect women more frequently than men.
mote older people’s participation in social life and
to combat loneliness and isolation. This can be
People with dementia are often faced with stigma and
achieved by creating, maintaining and promot-
may find it even more challenging to continue partic-
ing supportive environments that enable social
ipating in social activities. Moreover, organized com-
interaction and active lifestyles and by providing
munity support for social inclusion and activities may
opportunities for meaningful social activities that
be more limited for many who live in rural or remote
encourage older people to leave their homes and
communities, making well functioning informal com-
maintain supportive social networks.
munity support all the more important. Finally, many
older people who are informal caregivers in their fam-
The right of older people to live a life of dignity and ilies can themselves be at risk of loneliness and isola-
independence and to participate in social, economic, tion. For them, respite services and support groups of
cultural and civic life is firmly embedded in the EU’s caregivers in the community can help them maintain a
commitment to active ageing and solidarity between socially active life (see the section on supportive ser-
generations (Council of the European Union, 2012). vices for informal care givers in the chapter on domain
Participation of older people is also a key concept of 8: community and health services).
the 2002 WHO active ageing policy framework (WHO,
2002b). Moreover, the recent World report on age- Evidence supports the idea that people who have
ing and health reconfirmed that social participation of higher levels of activity as they become older are

Key facts
• More than 50% of men aged 80 years and over still live as part of a couple household, while in 18 EU
countries the majority of women of this age live alone. There is also a north–south divide in living arrange-
ments among those aged 80 years and over: most live alone in northern Europe, while it is less common
in southern European countries (Rodrigues, Huber & Lamura, 2012).
• In the EU, almost 18% of people aged 65 years and over participate in the activities of recreational groups
or organizations (Eurostat, 2006).
• Among EU countries, between 3% and 45% of older people on average meet friends, relatives or col-
leagues less often than once a month or never; between 5% and 30% report that they lack a friend who
could provide emotional support (Eurostat, 2006).
• Late-life social engagement is linked to a lower risk of mortality, and for older people with mild cognitive
impairment it is linked to a lower risk of decline to moderate-to-severe cognitive impairment (Marioni et al.,
2012).
• Social interventions that aim at alleviating social isolation are generally more likely to be effective if devel-
oped within the context of a theoretical basis, and when offering social activity and/or support within a
group format. Interventions in which older people are active participants also appear more likely to be
effective (Dickens et al., 2011).
happier and have better functional ability and lower The following sections describe the range of interven-
mortality (Menec, 2003). Different activities can influ- tions that communities have developed for promoting
ence health and well-being in older ages in different social participation of older people and counteract-
ways, but in general, research has found that being ing social isolation and loneliness. A table at the end
active in social and productive activities is positively of the chapter provides practical examples that show 57
related to happiness, functioning and reduced mor- how local governments have operationalized areas for
tality. (For details on the importance of voluntary or action into their action plans.
economic activity see the chapter on domain 6: civic
engagement and employment.) A range of opportunities for social
participation accessible for older people
While the social activities offered at the community level
often find enthusiastic attendance, they may tend to Many age-friendly community activities
attract those older people who represent a healthier empower older people to participate in activities
and more active part of the population, missing out on and increase awareness of the range of activities
some groups of older people most at risk of social iso- available.
lation and loneliness. A challenge for local authorities’ The range of activities from local initiatives and action
initiatives in this domain is to reach out to older people plans usually comprises both interventions targeted at
most in need of social interaction, emotional and prac- special groups of older people and integrated activities.
tical support, such as older men living alone or people Among the activities most frequently included in action
from ethnic minorities (see chapter on domain 5: social plans are:
exclusion).
• joint events for everyday activities, such as common
The extent to which older people feel lonely or to which meals and leisure activities;
the empowerment of older people to take active roles • activities offered at seniors’ clubs or community
in creating their own social activities has been success- centres, such as talks, crafts classes, music or
ful across Europe, however, reflects differences in the dancing;
traditional roles of family and neighbourhood cohesion. • cultural activities;
For example, the proportion of older people who live • sport and physical activity events;
with their extended family and receive informal help if • traditional activities and events;
they need support with everyday living differs widely • educational activities (see the section on lifelong
between countries in Europe. learning below);
• information and awareness-raising events to make solit’Udine that aims to foster social participation and
existing community offers better known (including combat loneliness (Box 9).
community days or weeks dedicated to activities
with and for older people, which also provide a Building on these assets, it is important that older
“market place” where the full spectrum of activities people are involved in planning and implementation of
and initiatives in a community can be presented); activities and helping to tailor them to their interests,
• special events for intergenerational activities, such wishes and requirements. The special needs of people
as knowledge exchanges. with disabilities and those living with dementia have to
be taken into account. Activities need to consider the
To make activities affordable, public subsidies and pri- areas in which they can conveniently reach out to older
vate sponsorship are often needed, including offers of people.
public space. Community action plans should keep
these aspects of affordability in mind. For example, Local authorities can build on existing
for some cultural activities and access to public insti- community assets, volunteers and initiatives
tutions, the community might offer reduced prices or and support them – for example, by ensuring
free access (for example, public libraries and access to continuity of offers, coordination and awareness
computers and Internet in the public space). and by supporting accessibility for older people.
In many places, bottom-up initiatives organize formal
Other issues of access – such as transport, location or informal opportunities that help facilitate social con-
and timing – can be crucial issues for reaching out to tact and participation. Such initiatives involve volun-
target groups. Activities in this domain can often build teering to organize events, create networks of older
on existing engagement and a range of community people and reach out to people at risk of isolation.
assets from different private initiatives, nongovernmen- Many activities are organized by older people or with
tal organizations (NGOs) and other stakeholders, and the active involvement of older people, which is crucial
on initiatives by older people themselves. An exam- to empower the community, and using existing assets
58 ple is the city of Udine’s volunteering network No alla (Green & Tsouros, 2008).
Box 9. No alla solit’Udine [No to loneliness]: a network of volunteering action in the city of Udine,
Italy
The activity of voluntary associations and their contribution to the community’s life represent irreplaceable
social capital in many countries in Europe. With one quarter of the population above the age of 65 years, the
Italian city of Udine has a strong tradition of volunteering when it comes to providing support for its elderly
citizens.
The publicly managed telephone helpline No alla solit’Udine [No to loneliness] coordinates a broad volunteer
services network. It serves older citizens who live with frailty or disability, or who are at risk of social exclusion.
It is open for four hours every morning.
The helpline is organized by the municipality of Udine and serves older people, many of whom have no family
or network to support them or lack the economic means to pay for commercial services. Moreover, the ser-
vices provided complement the standard public home care services, with a focus on preventing social isolation
of older people.
Three telephone operators are employed by the municipality to answer calls from older people and connect
them with the services they need, the bulk of which are provided by volunteers. As of 2016, around 1000 vol-
unteers from 30 organizations offer a variety of services, from delivery of groceries to providing advice, offering
help for small repairs or with transportation, shopping or visiting and providing company; for example, reading
the newspaper or books to those with limited eye sight. Since 2004, when the project started, there has been
a continuous increase in use of the services.
Sources: Municipality of Udine (2015); personal communication from Gianna Zamaro, Stefania Pascut and Furio Honsel.

Reaching out to new participants and raising very well received (Blažun, Saranto & Rissanen, 2012).
awareness of activities can also be achieved via Staying connected through new technological means
word of mouth from people already engaged in might offer important benefits and counteract loneliness,
them. in particular for older people with mobility limitations or
Social activities are usually reported as popular and when family members live far away.
attractive to many older people in the community. Older
people in the neighbourhood and volunteers in seniors’ Municipalities increasingly use online information plat-
organizations provide opportunities to reach out and forms and forums for older people to help them find
motivate others to participate by showing them ways to activities that are relevant. A number of more specific
profit from the social life of their community. For some innovative practice examples aim to use information
groups in the population and in special cultural contexts, technology for isolated individuals (see also chapters on
however, reaching out to older people to overcome iso- domains 7 and 8). This broader use of innovative models
lation can be more challenging. and of technology to support older people to combat
social isolation is only just emerging. Examples include:
In some cases, offering targeted activities for some
groups – such as for older men or for people from ethnic • tele-links to call centres of social service providers for
minorities – has been considered to provide an entry- people living alone;
point to community participation. Finally, a relatively • access to and training in the use of technology to
recent emphasis has been given to the organization foster intergenerational exchange and bridge geo-
of activities with and for people living with dementia to graphical distances within families;
enable them to continue to participate in everyday life. • moderated phone conferences to link older people
with severely reduced mobility.
Reaching older men in social and health-
promoting activities poses specific challenges. Intergenerational activities have the potential to
Provision of community-based activities for men may effectively promote social participation and at the
contribute positively to the physical, mental, social and same time help tackle age segregation. 59
occupational health of older men (Ormsby, Stanley & Another focus of community action is frequently the con-
Jaworski, 2010). Reaching men in social and health-pro- tribution of intergenerational activities and “help to self-
moting activities has been found a challenge, in particu- help” support in communities. Intergenerational activities
lar for men from lower socioeconomic groups. encompass a whole range of options, including:
Interventions that target men specifically are initiatives

such as “men’s sheds” projects (Golding et al., 2008;
• joint activities with shared spaces or facilities (such
as intergenerational community centres or multigen-
Milligan et al., 2013). As a much-cited practice example, eration houses);
the men’s shed movement has grown popular in sev- • activities of passing on experience and memories to
eral countries including Australia, Canada and Ireland. younger generations;
Men’s sheds can be successful in providing men with • volunteering of older people in nurseries, museums
a place where they feel they can be in control of, use and after-school centres;
and share common activities – in other words, develop • volunteering of children or young people in institu-
a sense of purpose, accomplishment, control and social tions for older people;
engagement (Ballinger et al., 2009). They therefore • activities at schools where adults or older people are
aim at improving important determinants of health and invited;
well-being (Golding, 2011; Wilson & Cordier, 2013). • intergenerational learning activities.
Increasingly, information technology can play a Supportive environments for social

supporting role in creating awareness of existing exchange in the community
activities that enable social participation.
New technologies (computer forums, Internet telephony Attractive local meeting places and accessible
and video calls) allow for new ways of keeping in contact, neighbourhood centres can create important
exchanging news and seeking social support remotely incentives for participation.
with families and friends. Many communities therefore Communities may be able to offer buildings and facil-
offer computer courses for older people, which are ities for activities organized by seniors’ organizations
or for spontaneous events. The presence of a dedi- Planning and Development of Services for the Aged –
cated space that is part of a larger infrastructure, such to live in apartments, which are large enough to act as
as an intergenerational community centre for informal meeting places, in exchange for regular gatherings of a
and formal activities, can foster social participation in group of older people – so-called “warm homes” (Berg-
the neighbourhood. Ways to organize meeting spaces Warman & Chekhmir, 2006).
range from facilities dedicated to services for older
people – such as those linked to day care and respite Lifelong learning
centres – to multipurpose senior centres and houses
that can host a multitude of activities, and social ser- Activities of lifelong learning provide continuing
vice centres or completely community-organized meet- options for personal development in older age
ing places. Religious and church facilities/activities also and for learning in an intergenerational context.
play a traditional role in many communities. Opportunities for lifelong learning offered by local com-
munities include training, seminars, lectures, confer-
Existing infrastructures can often be used more ences and “universities of the third age”. Senior acad-
effectively, such as by co-locating activities for emies and universities of the third age are among the
older and younger people. most widely implemented measures at the local level
Intergenerational facilities and activities can contrib- across the WHO European Region. They can provide a
ute to overcoming age segregation and stereotypes wide range of benefits, including:
about “typical activities” for older people. In order to
facilitate such activities, however, spaces and loca- • personal development of older people;
tions where people of different generations can inter- • isolation; social contact and preventing social
fostering
act are required. Local authorities can help to foster
such intergenerational spaces by promoting the use of • intergenerational exchange and mutual learning;
typically age-segregated spaces by other groups. For • mental training and protective measures against a
instance, local communities have established senior decline in brain capacity;
60 clubs and activities in schools, libraries and district • acquiring knowledge and skills that are essential for
centres, or have located after-school centres, residen- benefiting from innovation and the “silver economy”,
tial care centres or public housing with older people such as ICT for ageing populations;
closer together. Such approaches do not need new • continual learning and improvement of basic skills,
buildings but rather aim at more efficient use of existing obtaining new qualifications and re-skilling or
infrastructure. Another example aiming at more efficient up-skilling for better employment chances, includ-
use of resources is to use school buses during school ing self-employment and volunteer activities.
hours to transport older people.
A wide range of actions are undertaken in cities and
Meeting places can also be fostered in NGO or communities. Austria, Luxemburg, Slovakia, Slovenia
private settings with public support. and the Scandinavian countries are reported to have
Open (drop-in) meeting spaces or centres in neigh- the highest participation rates in lifelong learning activ-
bourhoods that are organized by local NGOs or com- ities across the EU, with the lowest observed in the
munities can play an important role in promoting social Baltic states (except Latvia), Hungry, Greece, Spain and
integration and providing space for activities organized Poland (EAEA, 2006; 2015). The disparities between
by private/volunteer activities. These may include bot- countries, however, are large: the concept of lifelong
tom-up events such as courses, workshops or meet- learning barely exists in some countries, whereas in
ings. Courses and activities may rely on the provision others it is well developed (Mercken, 2004). Some uni-
of special equipment, such as for sports or educational versity of the third age initiatives have gained experi-
activities or libraries: this is an area where local author- ence and developed over many years, as in the exam-
ities are often enabling partners of bottom-up move- ple from Slovenia (Box 10).
ments. The range of equipment for rent or booking
could include games, computers and other workshop The European agenda for adult learning and the EU
equipment. expert group on adult learning provide support for adult
learning initiatives: experience from EU-wide initiatives
Another example comes from Israel, where older peo- may provide inspiration and guidance on activities that
ple are supported by ESHEL – the Association for the can be initiated (Box 11).

Box 10. The Slovenian Third Age University
Since 1984, the Slovenian Third Age University has grown steadily. It offers learning, educational and social-
izing opportunities and fosters social participation with retired people, older workers and those in the pre-re-
tirement period as a target group, as well as professionals and volunteers. As of 2016, it comprised a national
network of 52 universities in 51 localities with about 21 000 students, more than 1000 mentors and 1000
volunteers. Its practice has been widely researched, which resulted in the development of its own educational
and organizational model.
The Slovenian Third Age University aims to:
• provide access to cultural events and education for personal growth, better employability and active citi-
zenship of older adults;
• provide integrated advice and guidance, as well as opportunities within a broad range of topics related to
active and healthy ageing;
• enable older people to mobilize interpersonal support (knowledge, skills, information and emotional
support);
• conduct and publish research of older adult education and learning;
• education;
train professionals as well as volunteers of all generations who want to be active in the field of older adult
• raise awareness and conduct public campaigns about older people, old age and the role of older adult
education.
The scope of the network has grown steadily and now includes activities such as employment services for
older adults.
Source: Slovenian Third Age University (2017).

61
Box 11. Experience from existing European Commission initiatives

Each year, the European Association for the Education of Adults (EAEA) recognizes achievements in innovation
and excellence in adult education. The EAEA Grundtvig Award highlights project results that produce new
ideas, new partnerships, new methodologies and a new understanding how adults’ learning can be improved.
In 2012 the specific topic of the award was projects that promote the active participation of older learners in
society. Projects received included aspects of intergenerational learning and innovative partnerships.
The winning Crosstalk project aimed to give seniors, schoolchildren, young people and migrants the skills
and confidence to communicate effectively with local media, and thus to make an active contribution to their
own communities. Parts of the project motivated young and old people, from different backgrounds, to come
together and share stories. Furthermore, a media education course provided different generations with the
desire, self-confidence and necessary expertise to become involved in local media production and to tell sto-
ries about the games they played or play today. Participating seniors and children/young adults visited their
favourite places, interviewed each other in turn and produced an audio guide, interactive maps and a manual
with course materials.
The project was designed and carried out by a team of nine European partners in seven countries, which
included community media practitioners, adult education specialists and university researchers.
Source: EAEA (2012).
While lifelong learning programmes are very experience of discrimination across the life-course
popular among participants, there is little might have a negative impact on self-confidence and
evidence of the benefits for people at specific the social and cultural capital available to the individual
risk of isolation. (McNair, 2007: 61).
Participation tends to be influenced by social class, gen-
der, ethnicity and previous years of education (NIACE, Situational barriers: there is some evidence that
2010). A positive link is evident between previous levels those who are less mobile and living in rural areas are
of education and socioeconomic class and likelihood less likely to engage in learning (Department for Work
to engage in further learning (Aldridge & Tuckett, 2007), and Pensions, 2004). The same may be the case
and women are slightly more likely than men to par- for those with health issues or disabilities (Dench &
ticipate (Jenkins & Mostafa, 2012). Although available Regan, 2000).
participation surveys use different methodologies and
definitions, there is some evidence that relatively more Institutional barriers: these can arise from chal-
advantaged populations are more likely to be engaged lenges to commit to the cross-sectoral cooperation
in activities of lifelong learning – including at higher age that should be inherent in governing initiatives of life-
groups – than more disadvantaged groups, pointing to long learning for older people, which calls for own-
the challenges in reaching out to the latter. ership and responsibility cutting across government
departments and organizations. Besides health and
Links between learning and health in older age have social departments, the education sector can be cru-
received increasing attention. The focus on the impact cial to success.
of learning interventions on health has been pursued
by a number of studies, producing evidence that such Equity of access and broader reach can remain
a link exists. There remain gaps, however, in the evi- a challenge.
dence about causal pathways that transform participa- Older people participating in adult learning activities
tion to health. In particular, there are issues of potential often tend to be in relatively good health (Findsen &
62 selection bias, as healthier older people are more likely Carvalho, 2007), predominantly middle class, female
to participate in lifelong learning activities (Desjardins, and with previous higher levels of formal education.
2008). This also raises the question of potential barriers Given some evidence that older people in better
to participation, which the following section explores. health who are more socially active and integrated in
their communities are more likely to engage in lifelong
Overcoming barriers to participation in lifelong learning activities, reaching out for more balanced
learning among older people is crucial. participation – including of those facing the barriers
Three main levels of barrier to lifelong learning interven- listed above – remains an important concern.
tions exist (Slowey, 2008).
Attitudinal barriers: those with low confidence, resil- action area and objective
ience, self-esteem and other factors relating to mental
health may question their ability to engage in learn- Table 4 follows the structure of this chapter’s proposed
ing. Individuals might cite lack of interest and “I’m too directions for interventions and objectives and adds
old to learn” as a reason for non-participation (Moss examples from existing age-friendly strategies, action
& Arrowsmith, 2003; Aldridge & Tuckett, 2007). For plans and case studies. Interventions and initiatives
some, the term “learner” has connotations of some mentioned may be projects already implemented in
kind of deficit or inadequacy and they can therefore local contexts or those designed for implementation
have reduced expectations or capacity to learn. Any in an age-friendly action plan.

Table 4. Practice examples for social participation from local age-friendly action plans and
assessments
Range of Empowering • Conducting needs assessments and providing evidence-based

opportunities older people offers and activities accordingly
for social to participate • Regular activity calendars including information on accessibility or
participation that in activities special support available for people with impairments and limita-
are accessible for and increasing tions, with a special section on events targeted at older people
older people awareness of • Mapping of existing activities and services and identifying gaps
existing activities (including activities to promote physical activity and sports,
(cross-cutting with dancing, cultural activities, educational offers, cognitive activities
domain 7: communi-
and training, performing arts, crafts, computer courses, spiritual
cation and information)
activities)
• Day and field trips for older people
• Communication campaigns to increase awareness of existing
activities
• Funny and appealing communication tools that present evi-
dence-based information on well-being effects of active lifestyles
• Personal invitations to events sent to older people
• Announcements of local and neighbourhood events not only
online but also in local media and in accessible print formats
• Encouraging participants to spread the word and bring friends
and peers
(cross-cutting with
domain 5: social
Supporting exist- • Involving older people in planning and implementation of activities 63
ing community (e.g. physical activity leader training)
• Supporting
inclusion and non-dis-
crimination, domain assets and ser- and maintaining infrastructure of NGOs’ and commu-
6: civic engagement vices from differ- nity-based initiatives
and employment and
domain 7: communi-
ent stakeholders • Facilitating formation and support initiatives of local groups – e.g.
and NGOs, and providing opportunities for informal education sharing experi-
cation and information)
making them ences, feelings, learning, skills exchange and peer-to-peer sup-
accessible and port (for instance, through goal setting and reporting back in next
appropriate for group meeting)
older people
Meeting poten- • Door-to-door transport services for interested participants with
tially divergent mobility limitations
needs sensitive • Buddy system or volunteer services that offer the possibility of
to health and organizing an accompanying person (and reduced entry fees for
functional abil- such volunteers)
ities, gender, • Supporting culture-specific activities and events led by ethnic
age, ethnic and minority groups (cultural festivals, associations)
background, • Volunteer befriending schemes to support “getting out and
education and about” and accompanying to activities those at risk of isolation
income (especially in rural areas)
(cross-cutting with Monitoring and • Providing activities and events free of charge
domain 2: transporta-
tion and mobility)
supporting equi- • participationparticipation
Analysis of in events (including analysis of barriers to
table access and among non-participating older people)
affordability • access to activities
Concessions and senior cards that give free or preferential
and institutions of culture, tourism and sport
Table 4 contd
Supportive Decentralization • Coordinating a plan of well dispersed activities across cultural,

environments for of activities social and recreational centres and private locations
social exchange
and places
Creating local • Creating and supporting open (drop-in) meeting spaces/centres
meeting places in neighbourhoods and communities that promote social integra-
and providing
and support tion and provide space for bottom-up activities
opportunities for
social contact in
neighbourhood • Senior centres/houses to host a multitude of activities and volun-
centres teer centres
the community,
neighbourhood • Providing an equipment library (e.g. sports or educational equip-
ment) for leisure activities in neighbourhood and community cen-
tres that can be booked or rented, such as indoor bowls, table
tennis, games, billiards, computers and workshops
(cross-cutting with
domain 3: housing)
Using existing • Marketing of activities not only for older people but for everyone
infrastructures or as intergenerational activities (avoiding the image that they are
more effectively only “for old people”)
by collocat- • Establishing senior clubs and activities in schools, libraries and
ing activities district centres (such as handicrafts, chess, card games, knitting,
for older and sewing, cooking, IT and web 2.0)
younger people • Locating nurseries or after-school centres together with residen-
tial and day centres for older people
• Computer courses open for older people in schools and youth
clubs
64 • Using school buses during school hours for community transport
of older people
• Awards for clubs with the highest membership and participation
in relation to population
• Policy to allow flexibility in urban planning for uses for older peo-
ple in public and private properties allowing for integrated and
mixed uses in buildings designed for older people (e.g. places of
worship and central places for older people)
• Alzheimer’s/senior cafés
Support day • Establishing daily activity centres, resource and active senior cen-
care and activity tres in neighbourhoods in order to animate older people
centres • Creation and support to senior clubs – providing “clubhouses”
offering social and educational activities, health and psychosocial
support and a variety of leisure-time facilities
• Facilitation and encouragement of neighbourhood networks and
regular neighbourhood meetings – for instance, incentives to use
private houses for senior activities, clubs for older people etc.
Creating oppor- • Opportunities to meet and share experience targeted and led by
tunities for social older men, e.g. “men’s sheds” programme
interaction • Allotments and community gardens
attractive to
older men

Table 4 contd
Multilevel Combining the • Animating open group exercises (can be conducted by volunteer
interventions promotion of trainers professionally trained to adapt exercise programmes to
physical activity specific needs of older people)
with social and • Involving people in disadvantaged districts in designing walking
cognitive activity paths and tours in their own neighbourhoods
• Facilitating formation of local groups of older people to meet reg-
ularly to exercise brain training, games and other skills
Multilevel inter- • Group-based interventions, like community-based exercise pro-
ventions tar- grammes, support and self-help groups
geting social • Individual interventions for homebound, isolated or frail older peo-
isolation and ple, like visiting programmes and befriending schemes
loneliness • Technological interventions such as hearing aids, telephone
calls, web-based social media for older people, video call-based
support
Lifelong learning Promoting life- • Universities of the third age
long learning in
collaboration
• reading groups,
Schools for all ages: involving older people in school activities,
field trips etc.
with educational • cognitive training, life-story
Promotion of informal learning in workshops for memory and
institutions writing workshops and other local
activity groups
• Talks and workshops related to healthy living and physical activity
• Capacity-building to train older volunteers as trainers 65
Multisectoral Collaboration • Museum-organized workshops and activities in residential homes
collaborations with institutions and neighbourhood centres
of arts and • Accessible infrastructure and tours in museums, including tac-
culture tile and audio-supported visits (e.g. information in braille, audio
guides)
• Special offers for accessible cultural events (opera, cinema and
theatre) like senior subscriptions, free shows for members of
pensioner associations, preferential rates etc.
• Collaborating with libraries to provide mobile and decentralized
services in neighbourhoods and in assisted living and residential
homes and delivery of books at home
• Libraries as meeting places for intergenerational reading groups,
talks and lectures
Collaboration • Supporting age-friendly business community and ethics through
with the private communication structures of chambers of commerce
sector • Offering accessible holidays and senior tourism
Resources and toolkits EAEA (2014). Engaging new learners in adult educa-
tion: short guide for policy-makers and adult educa-
Age UK (2010). Loneliness and isolation: evi- tors. Brussels: European Association for the Education
dence review. London: Age UK (http://www. of Adults.
ageuk.org.uk/documents/en-gb/for-professionals/
evidence_review_loneliness_and_isolation. European Commission (2011). Action plan on adult
pdf?dtrk=true, accessed 2 October 2015). learning: achievements and results 2008–2010.
Brussels: European Commission (Commission Staff Berger S McAteer J, Schreier K, Kaldenberg J (2010).
Working Paper SEC(2011)271 final; http://www.cede- Occupational therapy interventions to improve leisure
fop.europa.eu/en/news-and-press/news/action-plan- and social participation for older adults with low vision:
adult-learning-achievements-and-results-2008-2010, a systematic review. Am J Occup Ther. 67(3):303–11.
accessed 6 June 2016).
De Jong Gierveld J, van Tilburg T (2006). A 6-item scale
Findsen B, Formosa M (2011). Lifelong learning in later for overall, emotional, and social loneliness: confirmatory
life: a handbook on older adult learning. Rotterdam: tests on survey data. Res Aging. 28(5):582–98.
Sense Publishers.
Githens RP (2007). Older adults and e-learning: opportu-
Health Quality Ontario (2008). Social isolation in com- nities and barriers. Q Rev Distance Educ. 8(217):329–38.
munity-dwelling seniors: an evidence-based analysis.
Ont Health Technol Assess Ser. 8(5):1–49. Nef T, Ganea RL, Müri RM, Mosimann UP (2013). Social
networking sites and older users: a systematic review.
Joling K, Vasileiou K (2015). Promising approaches to Int Psychogeriatr. 25(7):1041–53.
reducing loneliness and isolation in later life. London:
Age UK. Withnall A (2008). Best practice approaches to policy
and delivery of older people’s learning: a review of the
Further reading literature. Warwick: University of Warwick.
Alma MA, Van der Mei SF, Groothoff JW, Suurmeijer

TPBM (2012). Determinants of social participation of
visually impaired older adults. Qual Life Res. 21(1):87–97.
66

68
Domain 5:
social inclusion and
non-discrimination

Domain 5:
social inclusion and
non-discrimination
Introduction to inclusive age-friendly environments are social cap-
ital, social networks, intergenerational relations and
Everyone has a right to health, regardless of gender, actions to improve these for older people: these will be
age, disability, mental health, social position and eth- discussed in the following sections.
nicity. Nevertheless, social exclusion, isolation, harmful
stereotypes, discrimination and abuse threaten healthy From consultations with age-friendly cities it has become
ageing and increase the equity gap in old age (WHO, clear that it is particularly challenging for local actors
2015b). Social exclusion and isolation can put older to reach out to those older people who are most in
people, and particularly the oldest of old age groups, need and at risk of disadvantage or social isolation.
women and minority groups, in vulnerable positions Compared to the WHO global guide, the AFEE project
and may prevent them participating in society (WHO, has therefore broadened this domain to include issues 69
2007c). of health equity and social exclusion that researchers
and practitioners have identified as important in recent
This chapter presents the fifth domain – social inclu- years.
sion and non-discrimination – of the AFEE framework.
This is the second of three domains that address the A key feature of the WHO global guide (2007a) was a
social dimension of age-friendly communities and cor- focus on developing an age-friendly approach from a
responds to the “respect and social inclusion” domain citywide perspective. Research since the mid-2000s,
in the original WHO global guide (WHO, 2007a), which however, has focused at least as much on the role of
referred to different experiences of disrespect and individual neighbourhoods (De Donder et al., 2013) and
exclusion among older people. Drawing on the grow- this chapter addresses these findings.
ing evidence base on social determinants of health,
this chapter puts social inclusion in age-friendly cities in Strategic directions for policy
the context of the wider debate about equity in health interventions
(SEKN, 2008).
The goal of interventions in this domain is to
People who are socially included have access to create environments that are socially inclusive
resources – economic, as well as social and personal places, where all people – regardless of age,
– and make use of these opportunities. They can par- gender, social position, health or disability – are
ticipate actively in society and family and are more resil- respected and have opportunities to participate
ient in the face of environmental stress and ill health. and contribute. To enhance equity, it is crucial to
In contrast, socially excluded or marginalized individ- complement population-based interventions with
uals or groups experience (often multiple) disadvan- targeted efforts, reaching out to people most at
tages that can both limit this access to the social, cul- risk of poor health and exclusion, understanding
tural, economic, political and environmental resources their specific needs and promoting their health
required for health and lower their quality of life (Scharf, and quality of life.
Phillipson & Smith, 2005a). Related concepts relevant
Social inclusion and non-discrimination

Negative health outcomes are correlated with social of exclusion – economic, political, social and cultural
exclusion, adverse life events and isolation at all levels – defined by the Social Exclusion Knowledge Network
of health (WHO Regional Office for Europe, 2013b). (SEKN) and adds a new fifth dimension of environ-
WHO defines social exclusion and vulnerability as ment. These create a continuum of inclusion/exclu-
“dynamic, multi-dimensional processes driven by sion characterized by unjust distribution of resources
unequal power relationships across four dimensions” and unequal access to capabilities and rights, result-
(SEKN, 2008:2). Box 12 describes the four dimensions ing in health inequities.
Box 12. Forms of social exclusion in later life
1. The social dimension is constituted by proximal relationships of support and solidarity (e.g. friendship,
kinship, family, neighbourhood, community … social movements) that generate a sense of belonging within
social systems. Along this dimension social bonds are strengthened or weakened (see the following sec-
tions on social capital and neighbourhood cohesion and on intergenerational spaces and activities).
2. The political dimension is constituted by power dynamics in relationships which generate unequal pat-
terns of both formal rights embedded in legislation, constitutions, policies and practices and the conditions
in which rights are exercised – including access to safe water, sanitation, shelter, transport, power and
services such as health care, education and social protection. Along this dimension, there is an unequal
distribution of opportunities to participate in public life, to express desires and interests, to have interests
taken into account and to have access to services (see also the chapter on domain 6: civic engagement
and employment).
3. The cultural dimension is constituted by the extent to which diverse values, norms and ways of living
are accepted and respected. At one point along this dimension diversity is accepted in all its richness and
at the other there are situations of stigma and discrimination (see the following section on respect and
70
non-discrimination).
4. The economic dimension is constituted by access to and distribution of material resources necessary to
sustain life (e.g. income, employment, housing, land, working conditions, livelihoods, etc.) (see the follow-
ing section on combating social exclusion).
5. The environmental dimension is constituted by the perception of inclusive and supportive environments.
Described as “neighbourhood exclusion” in the literature, it relates to the bond between people and their
surrounding environment and the feeling of being able to influence changes affecting the community (see
the following section on combating social exclusion and the chapter on domain 1: outdoor environments).
Sources: 1–4: SEKN (2008); 5: adapted from Scharf, Phillipson & Smith (2005b).
The consequences of social exclusion can be severe Poverty or economic exclusion is only one (albeit a
and contribute to wide gaps in morbidity and mortal- central) element of social exclusion. The risk of older
ity – such as from cancer and cardiovascular disease people in Europe facing poverty is influenced by exist-
– emergencies, hospital admissions and re-admissions ing social services and social protection. In some
and mental health consequences (such as depression) countries of the EU older people are at higher risk of
among older people (WHO Regional Office for Europe, poverty and deprivation than the rest of the general
2013b). The pathways between social exclusion and population. In contrast, in some countries older peo-
health consequences can be direct – for instance, ple face lower poverty and social exclusion rates com-
through inequalities in access to health and care sys- pared to other age groups. In most countries women
tems – or indirect, through social exclusion processes. face a greater risk of poverty and severe material
These can even stem from experiences early in life, such deprivation than men; this gap is far greater for the
as poor nutrition, working conditions or similar, creating generation aged over 65 years than for younger peo-
a vicious circle (WHO Regional Office for Europe, 2010). ple (Eurostat, 2015d).

Key facts
• Some evidence exists that urban environments may place older people at a heightened risk of isolation and
loneliness (Scharf & De Jong Gierveld, 2008).
• The social situation of older people varies widely between countries. According to Eurostat, the statistical
office of the EU, in 2013 the risk of people aged 65 years and over living in poverty or social exclusion
ranged from 6.1% in the Netherlands to 57.6% in Bulgaria. Older women and the highest age bracket
cohorts tend to face substantially higher risks in some countries (Eurostat, 2015d).
• Social exclusion in rural areas and deprived inner cities poses specific challenges (Scharf & Bartlam, 2008).
• Social cohesion and social capital among neighbours can result in higher degrees of social organization,
including instrumental support to neighbours, contributing to higher levels of well-being in older people
(Cramm, van Dijk & Nieboer, 2013).
• WHO estimated in 2011 that 4 million older people in the European Region have experienced physical
abuse; 29 million mental abuse; and 6 million financial abuse. The prevalence of elder abuse in the WHO
European Region is high (3%) and levels among people with disabilities, cognitive impairment and depen-
dence can be as high as 25% (Sethi et al., 2011).
Social isolation and exclusion in older age are often neighbourhoods and fostering intergenerational activi-
linked to processes of exclusion throughout the life- ties and spaces. A table at the end of the chapter pro-
course, such as disadvantages and structural inequal- vides practical examples that show how local govern-
ities experienced in early life and during working age. ments have operationalized areas for action into their
Policies in cities often address “excluded” groups, but action plans.
a better understanding of the dynamic processes that
lead to inequalities and the potential agency of mar- Respect and non-discrimination 71
ginalized people can inform more sustainable policies.
These focus on addressing the generative processes About a quarter of older European citizens some-
embedded in social relationships and on supporting times or frequently experience discrimination because
genuine and full participation of those most margin- of their age (van den Heuvel & van Santvoort, 2011).
alized by identifying challenges, developing interven- Large differences between countries, however, show
tions and transforming relationships (SEKN, 2008). that ageism is not inevitable but rather amenable to
cultural, political and social contexts and interventions
Research in these areas still has many gaps, however: (Eurostat, 2015d).
older people and populations who are vulnerable to
multiple disadvantages have been underrepresented Ageism is “stereotyping and discrimination
in much of the literature (Levitas et al., 2007). Research against individuals or groups on the basis of their
on implementation and evaluation of corresponding age; ageism can take many forms, including
age-friendly interventions is only now emerging. prejudicial attitudes, discriminatory practices, or
institutional policies and practices that perpetuate
stereotypical beliefs”.
The following sections synthesize some of the path-
WHO (2015b: 226)
ways that have been explored in the literature, fol-
lowed by practice examples from cities aspiring to Ageism and stereotypes can cause barriers for older
become more age-friendly. They bring together main people to accessing services and to realizing their
approaches and initiatives that researchers, practi- full potential; they can even lead to violations of
tioners and age-friendly action plans have identified human rights, neglect of care needs or maltreatment.
as relevant for tackling social exclusion, challenging Discrimination in the form of ageism obscures the
negative stereotypes of older people and combating understanding of ageing processes and shapes pat-
economic exclusion, as well as recognizing the var- terns of behaviour in both older people and society at
ied needs of different groups within the ageing pop- large, which have a negative influence on healthy and
ulation, strengthening resilience in individuals and active ageing (WHO, 2015b).

Ageism is common, widely accepted and largely over- Conventions and charters adopted at the
looked (Abrams et al., 2011). Consequences of ageism international and national levels promote the
include negative impacts on the sense of self and mental principles of equity and protect the rights of
health of older people, age segregation, cardiovascular citizens.
stress, early institutionalization, loss of autonomy and the The Second United Nations World Assembly on Ageing
most devastating: elder maltreatment (WHO, 2015b). recognized the special needs of older people, which
led, among others, to the Toronto Declaration on the
Promoting more positive images of older people Global Prevention of Elder Abuse (WHO, 2002c). In
and ageing is one of the most frequently used 2010 the United Nations General Assembly estab-
strategies by local authorities to promote respect lished an open-ended working group on strengthen-
and combat ageism. ing protection of the human rights of older people,
It is a crucial task for age-friendly environments to dispel comprising all Member States of the United Nations.
the myths of ageing and the negative views of older peo- This group identified existing gaps in protecting the
ple (Ritsatakis, 2008). Older people are a great resource rights of older people, which sparked an ongoing dis-
for local communities and neighbourhoods and are also cussion on the development of an international legal
very diverse. It is important to increase awareness of the instrument to promote and protect the rights and
diversity of older people, and to value their rich expe- dignity of older people. Against this backdrop, other
rience and the contributions they make to society in regional and local charters and frameworks have been
general (WHO, 2015b). Social marketing and promoting developed and can serve as an inspiration for local
the role of the municipality in setting good examples for actors.
combating age discrimination and stereotypes of ageing
are critical. A public health approach and evidence-based
interventions are needed to prevent and
Negative stereotypes are not necessarily a conscious effectively respond to elder abuse, neglect and
or deliberate exclusion of older people but can simply fraud affecting older people.
72 be a product of how people categorize other people. A number of local authorities have developed tool-
Discrimination on the basis of age is often subtle and kits for elder abuse awareness training and mentor-
can arise from well intended yet patronizing expressions ship programmes. For example, the BC Centre for
or lack of awareness. Elder Advocacy and Support developed a three-year
project with the aim of helping local communities to
Data from the European Social Survey revealed that create volunteer-driven programmes for older peo-
older people (over 70 years of age) in participating ple, enabling seniors to reach out to other seniors
countries were least likely to be perceived as compe- about elder abuse (BC Centre for Elder Advocacy and
tent, among other characteristics, and were viewed as Support, 2012).
having the lowest social status compared to other age
groups. The survey also showed that people aged over A lack of high-quality evaluation studies limits the
70 years were more likely to be viewed with pity than available evidence on effectiveness of interventions to
other age groups, but were also almost equally likely to prevent elder abuse, but some promising programmes
be viewed with admiration (Abrams et al., 2011). The exist both at the population level and targeted at vic-
English Longitudinal Study of Ageing found that specific tims and potential perpetrators. Approaches for inter-
sociodemographic characteristics such as older age, ventions include those designed to reduce risk factors
lower household wealth, higher education and being for maltreatment by changing attitudes towards older
retired or not working were associated with perceived people, those that improve support for and mental
age discrimination in older age (Rippon et al., 2014). To health of caregivers and those that strengthen social
combat ageism, other stigmas that can exist alongside it support (Sethi et al., 2011; WHO, 2016a). Wherever
have to be addressed, such as the stigmas of dementia possible, programmes and interventions should be
or incontinence, which can affect different age groups carefully monitored and evaluated and the findings
(WHO, 2015b). shared between local governments.

Enabling skills, experience and knowledge that concern social relationships, civic participa-
exchange – including from the older tion, services and health care (Scharf, Phillipson &
generation to the younger – can contribute to Smith, 2005b). Research has shown that poverty
intergenerational solidarity. (particularly where combined with ill health or dis-
While many interventions for age-friendly environ- ability) hampers older people’s participation in com-
ments benefit younger and older population groups munity activities (Barrett & McGoldrick, 2013).
at the same time, different generations and different Living in poor housing is one possible indicator of
groups within the older population face contrasting material deprivation and has an important impact on
issues. It has been argued that the rapid increase in health and well-being of older people (see the chapter
older populations, and increased efforts to accom- on domain 3: housing).
modate needs of older people, might stoke issues
of age bias and generational justice (North & Fiske, Monitoring of people’s health and social
2013). One study also found that pressures associ- needs has been proposed in order to broaden
ated with gentrification exacerbate divisions between assessments of economic exclusion.
age groups (Lager, van Hoven & Meijering, 2012). Health needs are often lacking from calculations
of minimum income. To address this gap, a mini-
Moreover, age-friendly environments cannot be made mum income for healthy living proposes to take into
responsive to the needs of older people to the detri- account the means necessary for a healthy diet and
ment of other groups. Contact between different age the costs of physical activity (Morris et al., 2000, WHO
groups can reduce prejudice, and older people who Regional Office for Europe, 2012b). It also proposes
have positive contact with young people can improve to take account of social norms and expectations by
self-worth and are more likely to be buffered from the counting costs related to social integration and sup-
negative effects of stereotypes against their group port networks, such as those for telephone, television
(Christian et al., 2014). To create inclusive and sus- and presents (Hartfree, Hirsch & Sutton, 2013).
tainable environments, the needs of different genera-
tions within local contexts have to be recognized and Monitoring and understanding inequalities 73
a better exchange between the different social groups within and across neighbourhoods helps policy-
needs to be facilitated. makers target action at groups of older people
most in need of supportive environments.
Combating social exclusion Older people in deprived areas may be particularly
at risk of social exclusion in several dimensions (Day,
New and concerted efforts are needed to 2008). Fair society, healthy lives: the Marmot Review
combat economic exclusion and promote highlighted the fact that 45% of those living in the
health equity for age-friendly environments. most deprived areas of England had either some or a
Age-friendly environments require a response to the severe lack of support; this compared with 35% in the
highly unequal contexts experienced by older people least deprived areas (Marmot Review Team, 2010).
in their local environments. For instance, older people
who live in areas of concerted poverty can experience Evidence is growing that exclusion tends to be
a wide set of interlocking disadvantages. Partnerships spatially concentrated in localities such as disad-
need to be engaged to tackle cycles of exclusion, vantaged inner-city areas (EUROCITIES, 2009).
supported by local authority efforts to understand the These inequalities need to be monitored and
spatial dimensions of healthy ageing and actively sup- resources made available to avoid worse environ-
port empowerment of older people and carers, as well mental impacts on older people in socioeconom-
as mobilizing different forms of welfare provision. ically deprived areas (Day, 2008; Smith, 2009).
Moreover, evidence shows that neighbourhoods’
Prevention of poverty of older people is crucial, access to transport can be linked to social exclu-
as financial security is a major determinant of sion. Interventions and policies to improve access
functional ability, health and well-being. and public transport to certain neighbourhoods (see
Exclusion from material resources and very low the chapter on domain 2: transportation and mobility)
incomes can limit the lives of older people and cre- can therefore be highly relevant for addressing social
ate barriers to healthy ageing. Economic exclu- exclusion (Lucas, 2012). This is especially the case for
sion is closely linked to other forms of exclusion rural or remote areas (Box 13).

Box 13. Healthy ageing and social exclusion in rural areas
An empirical study conducted in 10 rural communities in the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland helped to
shed light on rural social exclusion. From in-depth interviews and focus groups with community stakeholders
and older people, five intersecting dimensions were identified that characterize social exclusion in old age in
rural areas:
• social connections and social resources;

• transport and mobility;
services;
• safety, security and crime;
• income and financial resources.
•
The community itself can also act as a source of exclusion; this can be amplified through austerity-related cuts
in spending, reduced services and demographic pressure, which are challenges of age-friendliness. Exclusion
can be mediated by individual capacities (sense of agency and independence), however, and informal support
and service provision in the community can partially counterbalance the lack of formal services by drawing on
close links and cooperation between all possible actors.
Sources: Walsh, O’Shea & Scharf (2012); Walsh et al. (2014).
Fast social and economic changes in the neighbour- Research to understand the effects of social change
hood, however, or negative experiences both in and in the neighbourhood, experiences of inclusion and
beyond the home can be turning points that can under- exclusion and the needs of older people ageing in dis-
mine the confidence of older people in their neighbour- advantaged communities is only in its infancy, however.
74 hoods (Scharf, Phillipson & Smith, 2005a). These find- More needs to be done to understand the complex
ings reflect the attachments older people have to their dynamics between exclusion, ageing, participation and
neighbourhoods but can also be linked to a feeling of health.
inability to influence the type of changes affecting their
communities (Smith, 2009) – relating to the environ- Neighbourhood exclusion can not only affect those peo-
mental dimension of social exclusion. ple that grow older in deprived areas but also be a con-
sequence of income inequalities within neighbourhoods.
Urbanization and social change can create additional A Dutch study showed that discrepancies between indi-
environmental pressures, resulting in fast turnover of vidual income and neighbourhood status matter: low-in-
residents, changes in housing prices and closure of come older adults who lived in high-status neighbour-
amenities and local services; these may affect older hoods had poorer physical functioning and were more
people in particular. Again, there is evidence of an lonely than low-income adults who lived in low-status
overlap between socially excluded people and socially neighbourhoods (Deeg & Thomése, 2005).
excluded places (Forrest, 2004).
Targeted action for individuals in
Older people may often have lived in a neighbourhood vulnerable situations
for many years – as revealed in different studies in west-
ern Europe – and develop attachments to it. Pathways Strategies need to be developed and targeted at
to neighbourhood exclusion can hence be viewed in different groups within the older population (Buffel,
relation to individuals’ life-courses. Older people who Phillipson & Scharf, 2013). To tackle social exclusion,
have lived in their communities for many years are local authorities have to find out which groups of older
especially sensitive to the perceived deterioration of people are at increased risk of social exclusion in their
their local environment or of other social change more communities. Understanding their specific needs and
generally, such as gentrification or other change of the assets, as well as increased community participation in
social composition in their neighbourhood. These can finding solutions, have been suggested as approaches
manifest in slowly emerging negative perceptions of the to tackle this issue. Policies can support and stimulate
neighbourhood. the process of local negotiation between the interests

of representatives from different groups in the popula- has emerged across Europe around “dementia-friendly
tion. A mediating role might also be needed to ensure neighbourhoods”. The body of literature emerging on
that the voices of those with limited opportunities or this topic is very dynamic and can provide more specific
less experience in speaking up are heard, and their guidance for community efforts. WHO has launched a
agency promoted. global dementia observatory to provide an entry-point
for further information exchange (WHO, 2015d).
Vulnerable groups in communities include those
experiencing some degree of frailty and those Building community social capital and inclusive com-
experiencing issues of mental health. munity institutions and capacity can be important points
Frailty develops as a consequence of cumulative phys- of synergy where age-friendly communities can ensure
iological decline over the life-course and manifests that people with dementia are not excluded. Dementia-
itself as age-related greatly increased vulnerability to friendly communities can also benefit, however, from the
endogenous and exogenous stressors that expose an broader approach of age-friendly communities to ensure
individual to a higher risk of negative health-related they receive the benefit of actions for the larger age-
outcomes” (WHO 2015b; see also Glossary). Frailty ing population and value the contribution every citizen
is a practical concept that diverts attention from hav- makes, including combating stereotypes about dementia
ing one specific disease to a more person-centred (Box 14). This includes the need to consult people living
assessment of a holistic state of vulnerability. with dementia in order not to exclude them from giving
their opinions and to enable them to continue to con-
Although correlated with age, frailty can be a useful tribute towards society. Gatherings of people living with
indicator to assess older people’s risks and vulnera- dementia and their families and friends at an Alzheimer’s
bilities (Duarte, Paul & Martin, 2013). Frailty increases café are an example of action that can contribute to
the risk of adverse outcomes such as falls, worsen- destigmatization through community engagement.
ing mobility, disability, hospitalization and death (Fried
et al., 2001). Many community-dwelling older people Dementia-friendly communities are “communities
have some symptoms of frailty; about 1 in 10 people that show high levels of public awareness of 75
aged over 70 years and 1 in 4 people aged over 85 dementia and are able to offer support and
years experience a noticeable degree of frailty, includ- understanding to people living with it, as well as
their caregivers. These communities are ultimately
ing all five indicators of unintentional weight loss,
more inclusive to people living with dementia and
self-reported exhaustion, low energy expenditure,
help them to preserve independence and control in
slow gait speed and weak grip strength (Clegg et al.,
their lives.”
2013). Haggarty et al. (2013: 3)
Several approaches to reduce frailty have been Key dimensions for making a difference to people with
investigated in clinical trials, among which are com- dementia are the physical environment, local facilities (see
plex interventions based on comprehensive geriatric domains 1–3), support services (see domain 8), social
assessment delivered to older people in the commu- networks and local groups (see domain 4) (Crampton,
nity, including home-based and group-based exercise Dean & Eley, 2012). Many types of intervention that pro-
programmes. Such interventions can increase the mote dementia-friendly communities, however, so far
likelihood of continuing to live at home and reduce lack systematic evaluation (Keady et al., 2012).
falls (see Introduction for a broader discussion on
measures of falls prevention). Migration greatly affects how people age and is
still poorly understood, in both the ways ethnic
Age-friendly communities face the challenge diversity of older people creates different needs
of understanding dementia and raising public and the geographical patterns of migration of
awareness to foster social inclusion for people different age groups and their effects on the
living with dementia and their caregivers. demography of age-friendly environments.
Between 70% and 90% of people living with dementia Ethnic and cultural diversity in ageing populations are
live in their own homes in the community, mostly receiv- important issues for many urban areas in the European
ing care from a female family member/caregiver (WHO, Region and there is scope for better reflecting on the
2012b). As people living with dementia often feel safest in different experiences of ethnic and cultural groups
the close surrounding of their home, a major area of work among older migrants. Older people (from a range of

Box 14. Dementia-friendly communities combat stereotypes about dementia
Cities and communities can have an important role in combating stereotypes, myths and negative views
associated with dementia. They can help with raising awareness and understanding of dementia among the
general population in order to improve inclusion in the community of people living with dementia, making them
feel more fully part of the community. In Scotland, United Kingdom, for example, Alzheimer Scotland orga-
nizes Dementia Awareness Week each year to work towards reducing stigma and raising awareness of this
condition.
Information on dementia needs to be targeted to address the involvement and concerns of the entire commu-
nity, including health professionals, caregivers, families and the general public. This increasingly includes cus-
tomer service training, offered to service providers and businesses in the community such as banks, libraries
and shops. Employees are trained to recognize symptoms of dementia and to be respectful and responsive
to people living with dementia.
In Bruges, Belgium, for example, the symbol of a knotted handkerchief is displayed in the windows of local
businesses to indicate to those with dementia that they will receive empathic reception. In the United Kingdom
specific guidance has been assembled to strengthen the role of local councils in making areas better places
to live for people with dementia.
Sources: Alzheimer’s Society (2013); Alzheimer Scotland (2014); Alzheimer’s Disease International (2013); Local Government Association (2015).
ethnic groups) may experience migration in different Remaining older populations tend to be poorer and
ways (Phillipson, 2015): risk social exclusion. Migration of older people also
76
• as first-generation migrants growing old in their occurs from the country and suburbs into the city.
second homeland (Burholt, 2004); When children have left home and family homes and
• as migrants moving “back and forth” between fam- gardens become too big and tiresome to maintain,
ilies living across different continents (Lager, van older people may be attracted to move into city cen-
Hoven & Meijering, 2012; Victor, Martin & Zubair, tres with easier access to various services, where they
2012); are more independent without using a car and closer
• as a group left behind, coping with the loss of
younger generations (Vullnetari & King, 2008);
to family and amenities. Again, the influences on an
older person’s desire to age in place or to move are
• as people involved with the management of trans- not yet well understood (Smith, 2009); nor is how this
national caregiving (Baldassar, 2007); influences those older people staying behind in cer-
• as “return migrants” moving back to their first tain suburbs or smaller towns.
homeland (Percival, 2013).
Diversity among older people, including gender
Migration patterns of different age groups can differences, shapes opportunities for healthy
result in specific local patterns and challenges ageing that need to be better understood.
of social exclusion. Encouraging socially inclusive approaches to urban
Some geographical areas see specific migration pat- space needs to take account of the different experi-
terns of people. For example, there are specific chal- ences of men and women and different ethnic groups
lenges in rural areas where young people have moved – migrant and non-migrant. Gender dimensions
away, resulting in higher concentrations of older peo- bring to light differences in needs and opportunities
ple. On the other hand, a number of older people, as for healthy ageing, as well as differences in use and
they approach retirement age, move out of cities into experiences of local spaces. For instance, being a
smaller attractive communities for retirement, creating caregiver for both the young and the old generations
so-called “naturally occurring retirement communi- is traditionally a woman’s role; this places women
ties”. Some of those older migrants might risk social throughout the life-course at greater risk of economic
exclusion and social support gaps when they become exclusion (see the chapter on domain 8: community
frail or more vulnerable (Hall & Hardill, 2014). and health services).

Despite changing gender roles and greater participation to a higher quality of life and improved mental and
in the workforce, the gap in financial security between physical well-being (Rocco & Suhrcke, 2012).
women and men persists into old age. Finding sustain-
able models of care that do not increase the pressure It is important for policy-makers to take
on women and put them at risk of social exclusion is into account not only the socioeconomic
therefore an important policy challenge. characteristics of individuals but also the
contexts of their everyday lives and the strength
Moreover, urban space can create social barriers to of community ties.
participation that differ for men and women. This can A WHO review of mental health, resilience and inequali-
be illustrated by research on migrants from different ties reported that high levels of social capital can buffer
ethnic groups living in Brussels and Manchester, which some of the effects of stress or adversity (Friedli, 2009).
highlighted that older women developed strategies of At the same time, deprivation and inequalities erode the
navigating space on the basis of their perceptions of resources needed for good mental health and social
safety or danger (Buffel & Phillipson, 2011; De Donder relations. Being socially excluded and isolated can be a
et al., 2012). Older women’s fears in public space were continuation of longstanding difficult relationships with
based primarily on feelings of vulnerability to unknown other people or a consequence of particular life events,
men, “strangers” or groups of youths who were per- onset of chronic ill health or age-related losses (such as
ceived as “intimidating”. Victor, Martin & Zubair (2012), becoming a widow or loss of close friends).
in a study of south Asian communities in the south-
east of England, suggested that the gendered use of A study from Rotterdam found that although single and
space could place women at greater risk of isolation in poorer older people reported lower levels of well-be-
middle and later life. Qualitative interviews with differing than those who were better off and married, this
ent migrant groups in England and Brussels also noted was mediated by neighbourhood characteristics, with
differences between men and women in terms of the community services, social capital and social cohe-
use of public space (Buffel, Phillipson & Scharf, 2013). sion acting as a buffer against the adverse effects of
For example, older migrant men tended to have more poverty and limited social ties. Good social relation- 77
informal gatherings with friends outdoors than migrant ships and engagement in community life are neces-
women. sary for positive mental health (Cramm, van Dijk &
Nieboer, 2013).
Some research is emerging on the different needs and
experiences of ageing in lesbian, gay, bisexual and Efforts to reach out to excluded and isolated
transgender older adults (McCann et al., 2013) but individuals need to be carefully coordinated
the topic remains underexplored. A qualitative study in between different social actors and services
Manchester focused on older people (aged 50 years and can benefit from evaluation.
and over) in the lesbian, gay and bisexual communities, Involuntary exclusion from social relations and loneli-
highlighting areas in the city centre where people had ness can have a major impact on people’s quality of
experienced homophobic hate crimes. More positively, life. Significant life events such as the loss of a part-
respondents also noted areas and venues (such as arts ner and other forms of bereavement can increase the
and cultural centres) that were more accepting of dif- risk of becoming socially excluded. Bereavement has
ferent lifestyles and identities (LGBT Foundation, 2015). also been shown to be an important risk factor for
depression among older people living in the commu-
Social capital and neighbourhood nity. Social isolation often comes with other forms of
cohesion disadvantage, generating multiple exclusions.
Social capital has an important role to play in support- Many local initiatives or voluntary programmes try to
ing age-friendly environments, as well as in the preven- reach out to older individuals who are at risk of social
tion and mitigation of the detrimental effects of social exclusion or isolation (see the example of initiatives
exclusion. A common theme in the literature is social under the Milan City Welfare plan, Box 15), but many
cohesion, which considers the extent to which com- age-friendly communities report difficulties in reaching
munities with strong norms of trust and reciprocity pro- disadvantaged and isolated older adults. Moreover,
mote increased levels of social participation; this leads evidence is mixed on whether more targeted or

Box 15. Combating loneliness and reaching out to those people most at risk in Milan, Italy
As part of the Milan City Welfare plan, a 2012 initiative developed actions aimed at combating loneliness and
improving services for older people. This built on the existing Hot weather plan, a service whose goal was to
monitor and provide assistance during the summer to those older people identified to be a high-risk group.
By connecting services and interventions and developing a neighbourhood culture, a coordinated and con-
tinuous programme was created. In particular, this included a model to create local, neighbourhood-based
safeguards capable of monitoring the most vulnerable citizens on a daily basis. The model also contributes to
building supportive communities, having at its root the idea that social connectedness acts as social protec-
tion. It now includes a large number of places for socializing and connecting to existing activities, thus allowing
NGOs and individual citizens to enjoy places to foster relationships or through social projects. By 2012, more
than 40 NGOs were involved in the initiative.
Source: Belfast Healthy Cities (2014).
broader population-based initiatives are more apt at neighbourhoods are not easily established, at least
addressing social exclusions and loneliness (Cattan et in part because of the different time geographies of
al., 2005; Dickens et al., 2011). Interventions for age- both groups, with younger residents out at work. In
friendly communities can create added value if they Czechia, Temelová and Slezáková (2014) noted the
monitor carefully the effect on societies and vulnera- potential for conflict between young and old in relation
ble and isolated individuals, paying special attention to the use of public space in housing estates.
to not widen the equity gap.
The research raises issues of how to create an urban
78 Intergenerational spaces and activities environment that acknowledges the equal rights of
older people with other age and social groups to a
The original WHO global guide (2007a) promoted “share” of urban space. This is especially important
intergenerational interactions as a key dimension of to implement at a local level, with a particular focus
promoting inclusion. This was more recently sup- on improving the quality of urban design and promot-
ported by Lager, van Hoven and Huigan (2015: 95), ing safety and inclusion as key features of urban living
who concluded that it is important for older adults to (Gehl, 2010; Mehta, 2014).
develop “bridging social capital” with younger genera-
tions in order to “secure continuity of social and instru- New models are needed that counteract age
mental support” (see also Gray, 2009). Furthermore, segregation.
recent research has extended this theme, examin- Vanderbeck and Worth (2015: 4) suggest that “pat-
ing intergenerational dimensions relating to spatial terns of age segregation have been both produced
aspects of inclusion or exclusion and patterns of age and reinforced by approaches to urban and regional
segregation. planning that have contributed to the production of
spaces – such as city centres – that can prove rela-
Holland et al. (2007: 39), in an observational study tively inaccessible and unwelcoming to people at par-
of an English urban town, conclude that “a striking ticular life stages”.
finding is the extent to which older people involved
in this study as interviewees or through observa- Puhakka et al. (2015) examined issues relating to the
tion, either perceived themselves as excluded or age-friendliness of living environments by examining
actively excluded themselves from public space for spatial usage and place attachment in Lahti, Finland.
large stretches of the time”. Lager, van Hoven and Drawing on quantitative datasets covering children
Huigan’s (2015) qualitative research of social contact and adults, the research examined how and where
between different age groups, set in a neighbourhood older and younger people spent their leisure time and
in the northern Netherlands, observed that trusting the importance of different kinds of urban locations
relationships between older and younger people in for them. A major conclusion from the study was that

“the lives of children, young and older people have Policy interventions and initiatives by
been largely segregated and urban places directed action area and objective
for certain age groups” (Puhakka et al., 2015: 78).
Examples of such age-segregated environments Table 5 follows the structure of this chapter’s proposed
range from playgrounds, houses, bars and clubs to directions for interventions and objectives and adds
concert halls – these are all often highly age-segre- examples from existing age-friendly strategies, action
gated, even though they could belong to all genera- plans and case studies. Interventions and initiatives
tions. Even virtual spaces tend to be tailored to spe- mentioned may be projects already implemented in
cific age groups. local contexts or those designed for implementation in
an age-friendly action plan.
Table 5. Practice examples for social inclusion and non-discrimination from local age-friendly action
plans and assessments

Respect and Combating ageism • Awareness and education campaigns challenging the
non-discrimination representation of ageing in the public, media, local busi-
nesses and in communications and publications from
(cross-cutting with local government and service providers
•
domain 7: communica-
Identifying and combating age discrimination of service
tion and information)
providers, media and employers
• Intersectoral collaboration to develop a charter of rights
of older people and quality standards in long-term care
• An international conference to combat ageism
79
Promoting a positive • Striving for positive representation of older people and
image of ageing and activities in the media
increasing awareness • Promoting positive role models
of ageing issues • Putting ageing issues on the political agenda
• agencies and
Promoting awareness among the business community,
service providers about access barriers
older people face and how they can be overcome (e.g.
age-friendly assessment of all services)
Strengthening pre- • Creating awareness of different forms of elder abuse
vention of elder (awareness day)
abuse, neglect and • Education and capacity-building programmes, including
fraud an elder abuse manual and a fraud awareness toolkit
• Installation of a post of elder abuse officer
• Collaboration with the police force to enforce persecu-
tion of suspected perpetrators of elder abuse
• Intersectoral collaboration to help victims
• rights and protect them from
Educational programmes to inform older people of their
scams and exploitation
(peer educators)
• Strong quality control of home care providers (e.g. home
health worker registry to include those terminated for
reasons of abuse and fraud)

Table 5 contd

Enabling skills, expe- • Enabling older members of the community to be speak-
rience and knowledge ers or trainers
exchange between • Activities in different areas and fields led by older people
generations either for peers or for all generations
• Promoting intergenerational work teams
Social exclusion Preventing economic • Financial and social assistance for those in need (food
exclusion aid, clothing aid, fuel subsidies, subsidized lunch,
(cross-cutting with monthly financial aid etc.)
•
domain 4: social par-
Monitoring and regulating the real estate market and
ticipation, domain 6:
civic engagement and housing subsidies
employment and domain
• Providing services and activities free of charge
8: community and health
• Discount schemes
•
services)
Case manager or volunteer support in filling in forms for
financial and social assistance
Focus on equity • Neighbourhood regeneration programmes
between and within
neighbourhoods
• and within neighbourhoodsand gaps in health across
Assessment of inequalities
• Linking community action with neighbourhood regen-

eration projects (comprehensive rehabilitation plans of
areas with specific problems)
80
Preventing loneliness • Anti-solitude plan; strategy/action to prevent isolation
and isolation • with loss
Adequate mental health care and counselling for coping
• Increasing social participation, particularly in districts

with many people who live alone
• Information about existing and development of new
opportunities for volunteering
Support for carers • Financial aid to families with dependent older people
and families with • ple accompanying
Extending concessions and discount schemes to peo-
dependent older functionally limited seniors
people • accommodation of older
Providing possibilities for temporary and periodic
people in existing residential
care homes or day centres
• Internet forums, newsletters and social media networks
for trusted information and peer support
• Banks for temporary loans of technical aid and equip-
ment (wheelchairs, crutches, bed lifts etc.)
• Volunteer temporary host families
• Providing psychosocial counselling and support for
carers
• Capacity-building programmes and training
• Administrative support for steps after the death of a
partner

Table 5 contd

Targeted action Reaching out to • Installing a telephone hotline and referring to tailored
for individuals in excluded and isolated services and social activities
vulnerable situations individuals • Registries of frail or vulnerable people living alone (or
those that have asked for volunteer visits or support)
• Coordination of volunteer visiting networks and services
• Regular telephone chains to those at risk of isolation
• reduce thesupport/calls
Financial for community-based projects to
health impact of social isolation
• participatory processes
Including isolated and or bed-bound older people in
and consultations (e.g. via tele-
phone links)
Social capital Strengthening com- • Neighbourhood networks
munity ties • Systematic strategies to promote
Small grants programmes to promote social inclusion
• and social capital neighbourhood ties
Encouraging inter- • Providing community facilities

action between • Community-based initiatives to promote health and
neighbours well-being
• Neighbourhood festivals
• Neighbourhood awareness
Meeting rooms in neighbourhoods
• initiatives and community alert
81
Intergenerational Increasing intergen- • Intergenerational activities (most prominently computer
spaces and erational contact, courses and cooking courses)
activities understanding and • Intergenerational tournaments – for instance, literature
exchange of values, competition and prize for intergenerational relations unit-
(cross-cutting with skills and experiences ing residents from residential homes and schools
•
domain 4: social
Older community members invited as guest speakers in
participation)
youth clubs
• Intergenerational learning programmes empowering
older people to access teaching and learning activities in
third-level educational institutions
• “Volunteer grandma” schemes
• Mentoring programmes
• Collaboration projects between schools, nurseries and
residential homes
Strengthening the • Awards for families who adequately care for their older
role within families member
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84
Domain 6:
civic engagement
and employment

Domain 6:
civic engagement and
employment
Introduction Strategic directions for policy
interventions
Staying actively engaged as a personal choice beyond
economic necessity has been shown to have a number The goal of interventions in this domain is to
of benefits for physical and mental health and well-be- make better use of the potential of ageing societ-
ing (von Bonsdorff & Rantanen, 2011; Cattan, Hogg & ies by creating more and better opportunities for
Hardill, 2011; Anderson et al., 2014). It is also critical older people to engage in political, economic and
for the future sustainability of social trends in ageing public life and to increase employment, social
societies. engagement and volunteering opportunities for
older people.
Volunteering supports different aspects of older peo- 85
ple’s lives, such as leisure activities (culture/sports),
social and health care services, political engagement, Large differences exist between European countries in
involvement in education/tutoring and other aspects of their cultures and traditions of engagement in volun-
community life. In some cases where volunteering has teering activities at various ages. Differences are also
a strong tradition, the engagement of volunteers has wide in employment rates for people aged 50 years
become more formalized. For example, in the Nordic and over and in other aspects of civic engagement,
countries recruiting volunteers has in some instances such as engagement in politics and local governance.
become part of the planning process for local services, Both are topics monitored by the Active Ageing Index
such as for nursing homes. (UNECE & European Commission, 2015).
This chapter on civic engagement and employment “Civic engagement means working to make a
presents the third of three domains of the AFEE frame- difference in the civic life of our communities and
work that address the social dimension of age-friendly developing the combination of knowledge, skills,
values and motivation to make that difference. It
communities. This domain corresponds to the “civic
means promoting the quality of life in a community,
participation and employment” domain in the original
through both political and non-political processes.”
WHO global guide (WHO, 2007a). It also has links to
Ehrlich (2000: vi)
topics under other domains, such as public support for
informal caregiving (see the chapter on domain 8: com- Compared to countries with the highest commitment to
munity and health services) and training and lifelong continuing active engagement, both as volunteers and
learning (see the chapter on domain 4: social inclusion in paid work or political activities, many countries have
and non-discrimination). a large untapped potential for more civic participation
Civic engagement and employment

and employment for people aged 50 years and over regional levels on issues that are of concern for age-
(Zaidi et al., 2013). friendly environments differs widely, however. There
are also variations between urban centres and rural or
In some parts of Europe older people lead active work- remote places, or the “hinterland” of larger metropolitan
ing lives as long as they can – many of them in agri- areas.
culture – in order to contribute to the economy of
their families or for their own subsistence (European Political participation of older people can take various
Commission, 2013a). This is illustrated by relatively high forms (Sidorenko, 2012):
labour force participation of higher age groups in coun-
tries like Cyprus, Estonia, Portugal and Romania. Self- • direct involvement and participation;
employed people may lack adequate retirement income • among groups
indirect involvement by selecting representatives
or have traditional roles in agriculture. When they live in and associations;
rural or remote communities, they may face additional • information-based involvement
political involvement by elected representatives;
challenges of access to services that help them to stay • tion (for example, gathered via participatory
by sharing informa-
healthy and allow them to continue their working lives research);
(Hatfield, 2015). For them, community actions to sup- • virtual involvement via social networks.
port them can be crucial but may frequently be lacking.
Organizations of older people have taken on more
The following sections review the role of local authori- formal roles over time.
ties and of age-friendly initiatives to foster civic engage- Seniors’ organizations have become more influential
ment and employment of older people. Because these over time as a result. These include both civil society
initiatives and relative actions are central to both local organizations and official senior councils, whose roles
government and the macroeconomic concerns of age- may be regulated by national or subnational law. Besides
ing societies, many have been studied extensively in this, many older people may choose to stay politically
European projects and research. A table at the end of active in organizations not specifically designated as
86 the chapter provides practical examples that show how being for older people. For example, many choose to
local governments have operationalized corresponding continue membership of a trade union after their retire-
areas for action into their action plans. ment, for which they can be valuable supporters, such
as by donating their time as volunteers (FERPA, 2015).
Engagement in political life and decision-
making Senior councils aim to empower citizens to
have a voice and take an active role in decision-
Political participation of older people and their influence making.
on local government activity has been growing in Europe In line with the trends stated above, many local author-
over the past few decades. The level of older people’s ities have changed political structures in order to insti-
influence on political decision-making at the local and tutionalize older people’s voices and advisory roles.
Key facts
• In the EU around 9% of the population aged 55 years and over reported providing unpaid voluntary activ-
ities through organizations such as community and social services or cultural and sports associations at
least once a week. This ranges from 1.2% to 20.6% between European countries (UNECE & European
Commission, 2015).
• In 2014, around 17% of the population aged 55 years and over in the EU participated in the activities of a
trade union, a political party or political action group, with a range between 5.3% and 43.8%. The propor-
tions were 20.5% for men and 14.6% for women (UNECE & European Commission, 2015).
• Employment rates in the EU in the age range 55–64 years increased from 46% in 2010 to 52% in 2014
(Teichgraber, 2015).
• The proportion of inactive population aged 50–64 years in selected United Nations Economic Commission
for Europe (UNECE) countries ranges from around 15% to over 60% (UNECE, 2012).
• Engagement in formal volunteering activities is more prevalent in early older age groups, particularly among
women and people with higher educational attainment (Archibald, 2014).

One or several commissions or councils are in many and other stakeholders in community planning, moni-
instances in place that involve older people in all rel- toring and assessment. This can take the form of inter-
evant policy-making at the local level. Elected senior views, street audits, questionnaires or surveys (AFE-
councils often hold such executive power, with an offi- INNOVNET, 2015b).
cial mandate to be consulted on any decisions that
concern the lives of older people by the local authority. Economic life and employment
In this role they are champions of the rights of older
people. In many European countries the workforce is ageing
quickly. This is the case not only for EU countries but
For larger regional entities, these may be replicated at also for Commonwealth of Independent States coun-
various local government levels – for example, in the form tries outside the EU (Sidorenko & Zaidi, 2013). This
of either a city council or neighbourhood councils that trend is driven by different factors:
involve older people both individually but also as repre-
sentatives of NGOs and senior associations. In addition, • demographic change, with an increase in the
special interdisciplinary working groups on specific tasks median age of those of working age (traditionally
related to age-friendly environments usually involve older defined as those aged between 20 and 65 years);
people to jointly plan, lead and implement actions, such • changes in pension policy, with higher mandatory or
as those on a neighbourhood scale. effective retirement ages;
• the economic necessity for many pensioners to
Beside their advisory function, senior councils com- complement their retirement income with paid
mand their own resources to varying degrees; this employment;
allows them to undertake a range of activities, such as • the wish of many older people in middle- or high-in-
organization of participatory events; leadership work- come countries to stay active, including as a way of
shops looking at challenges and developing solutions staying socially connected (WHO, 2007a).
for specific community issues; and community forums
to influence planning and prioritization of interventions. Beyond the economic incentives, staying active in paid 87
employment can help older people to stay connected,
Many communities have developed new forms of play an active role in their communities and continue
participatory mechanisms. to contribute in different ways. WHO’s World report on
As well as senior councils, which have overall coordi- ageing and health (WHO, 2015b) identified a number
nating and leadership roles, groups of older people in of factors that facilitate the ability of older people to
a number of other stakeholder alliances can influence stay active, with a focus on employment and pension
policy development and implementation of age-friendly policies (Box 16; see also OECD, 2006).
environments either directly or indirectly. This can
include special tasks for pilot testing interventions, with Many of the policy measures listed in Box 16 require
community involvement in steering groups as a form of policy changes at the national level, but local authorities
participatory evaluation. Other participatory forums that can contribute to increasing the opportunities for older
involve a broader public are roundtables, panels and people to remain active in employment in various ways.
public discussions to present findings from assess- An example is employment programmes for older peo-
ments and enable participation in future planning. ple in Israel (Shnoor, 2011).
Various forums involve older people in the Local governments usually play an important role as one
definition of problems and actions needed. of the largest employers in their communities; they are
Focus groups and community forums play an import- therefore well placed to adopt sound age management
ant role in participatory age-friendly assessments of in their role as employers. Moreover, perhaps more
neighbourhood and community environments, as than for other domains, advancing the social goals of
well as needs assessments to identify gaps in ser- domain 6 calls for cross-sectoral engagement across
vices or local policies for older people, for example. community departments and reaching out to other
Traditionally, this has been in the form of public infor- stakeholders, including private initiatives and the busi-
mation and consultations. Participatory qualitative and ness sector. Collections of case studies illustrate the
quantitative research for community diagnosis is a rel- important role of initiatives to promote the health of an
atively new form of involving older people, their families ageing workforce that have been implemented by local

Box 16. What works in facilitating older people’s ability to stay active in employment
Policies to facilitate older people’s ability to work and volunteer in ways that promote healthy ageing should:
• challenge ageism and create inclusive work environments that embrace age diversity;
• abolish mandatory retirement ages;
• support gradualsystems
reform pension that incentivize early retirement or penalize a return to work;
• consider incentives
retirement options and flexible work arrangements;
• help older adults planthatforencourage employers to retain, train, hire, protect and reward older workers;
• invest in health and functioning
the second half of life and invest in lifelong learning;
• by improving occupational health interventions for older workers.
Source: adapted from WHO (2015b: Chapter 6).
authorities at various government levels (Meggeneder numerous tools have been developed. For example, the
& Boukal, 2005). Local authorities thus have an import- ESF-Age Network (2015) provides a variety of tools of
ant role in creating flexible work arrangements, retrain- this nature, including practice examples of age man-
ing older workers or investing in improved occupational agement from EU countries and regions.
health measures relevant to older people.
Local authorities can also play a role in developing
At an organizational level a number of benefits of including guidelines for age-friendly workplaces and promoting
older workers have been identified. For example, older their use. Such guidelines have explored a number of
employees can be important for passing on “institutional options, including:
memory” in an organization: their networks, knowledge
88 and experience are important capital. Retaining them can • making use of intergenerational work teams;
result in lower costs for hiring and training new staff, who • support people
vocational training or reorientation programmes that
may also have a higher turnover than older employees aged 50 years and over to get back
(Federal/Provincial/Territorial Ministers Responsible for into work and to work according to their abilities,
Seniors, 2012). In order to reap these benefits, however, including those with chronic health conditions;
a number of misconceptions or outdated views have to • more flexible arrangements and employment
be addressed, such as those that older workers are less opportunities for older people (such as temporary
productive or that investing in their continuous training is and part-time work, working from home and tech-
not cost-effective and is more difficult to achieve than for nological support).
other employees (WHO, 2015b).
New business or entrepreneurial opportunities
Strategies for age management help to create can be created in various ways.
better employment options for older workers and Communities and local authorities can provide special
more opportunities for an age-diverse workforce. career guidance services and job search workshops for
Legal changes to enable people to stay in employ- older people. These can be organized in partnership
ment despite reaching retirement age usually concern and cooperation with local employment agencies or in
changes in national legislation (WHO, 2015b: Chapter the form of cooperation with the private sector – for
6). Local authorities have increasingly become important example, in the form of age-friendly trade fairs or busi-
actors in this field, however. Beside their role as employ- ness forums.
ers, local authorities can contribute by developing initia-
tives that assist employers in planning support for older Cities and communities can also support older peo-
workers with the goal to remain in work as long as they ple to stay active in employment by providing training
wish. courses for start-ups and guidance on self-employment
to encourage continuation of professional activity after
Communities can foster age management in a num- retirement. Examples including the creation of specific
ber of ways (Morschhäuser & Sochert, 2006), for which small job profiles for older people and opportunities for

professional development and training (such as grand- Year of Volunteering and the 2012 European Year for
parent babysitters, companions, home helps and infor- Active Ageing and Solidarity between Generations
mation officers). (Robertson, 2012; AFE-INNOVNET, 2015b; Council of
the European Union, 2012). In a number of countries
Engagement in public life: co-creation the role of volunteering is now formally recognized in
and volunteering law and regulations. Examples include social protec-
tion of volunteers or the exemption from VAT of dona-
A number of older people in EU countries are engaged tions supporting volunteering.
in voluntary work: proportions range from over 40%
to under 10%, including both formal and informal Volunteering initiatives can reach beyond their tradi-
engagement. Volunteering is most prevalent in coun- tional roles and become more involved in monitoring
tries including Austria, the Netherlands, Sweden and the design and delivery of services (such as health
the United Kingdom and least so in some southern and and social services) by providing feedback – for exam-
eastern EU countries. Evidence from some countries ple, in the form of complaints gathered from public
shows that the role of public administrations and NGOs meetings. New roles for volunteering include training
has become more important in actively promoting and and capacity-building, such as training for trainers to
supporting volunteering engagement, complementing become leaders of activities and collaboration with
other more informal types of civil engagement and vol- universities of the third age (see also the chapter on
unteering (Observatory for Sociopolitical Developments domain 4: social participation). This can include flexi-
in Europe, 2011). Those who have engaged in volun- ble activities and workshops where people can either
teering before retirement are more likely also to become learn or teach. To make co-production more sustain-
engaged in later life. able, community-driven non-profit initiatives with legal
and administrative advice and supportive frameworks
“Volunteering is unremunerated work that older play an important role.
people do for people outside their own household
and for the wider community.” Voluntary work has become an important way 89
WHO (2015b:189)
of promoting social inclusion of older people.
National laws on volunteering have spread in
The balance of evidence suggests that there is a link recent years but vary widely in scope and con-
between engaging in volunteering and positive health tent (Observatory for Sociopolitical Developments
benefits (Heaven et al., 2013; Jenkinson et al., 2013; in Europe, 2011). Such laws can regulate important
Archibald, 2014). The physical and intellectual activi- aspects that protect volunteering; for example, obli-
ties associated with volunteering exercise a protective gations for social and health insurance.
function against functional decline in older age (WHO,
2015b: 189). Traditionally, word of mouth and informal channels (rel-
atives and friends) have been central to creating aware-
Moreover, evidence is growing that the volunteering ness of the opportunities and benefits of volunteering. A
movement among older people benefits from sound trend is being seen, however, in a number of countries
organization and representation in associations (such and local authorities of putting more formal structures
as pensioners’ or seniors’ associations and local clubs in place to provide information about volunteering and
for older people). These can provide crucial support recruit volunteers. Formal structures support volunteer-
and be important partners in negotiations with other ing by covering expenses and providing other recog-
stakeholders, such as providers of formal services. nition of efforts. In addition, they can provide essential
services such as help with getting adequate insurance
Involving older people in the design and delivery coverage for volunteers and providing training. Older
of services that affect their lives is an important people themselves usually manage these information
part of co-creation/co-production of age-friendly platforms, which reach out to seniors. In some coun-
environments. tries, including Denmark and Sweden, the needs for
Co-creation or co-production (terms that are often volunteering are analysed and monitored in cooperation
used synonymously (NDTI, 2009)) that involves older with public service providers that are also engaged in
people in designing age-friendly environments has developing new forms of voluntary activities (see Box 17
been high on the policy agendas of the 2011 European for an example from the city of Horsens).

An increasing number of programmes in European platforms and volunteer job banks. The question of
countries are also organized or co-funded at the national how best to design volunteering activities has recently
level to support volunteering and to provide help with been the subject of more systematic research at the
research and analysis (Observatory for Sociopolitical local, national and European levels. An example is the
Developments in Europe, 2011). New forms of net- “Let us be active!” project implemented in three Baltic
working and information technology support ways of countries (Box 18).
volunteering such as time banks, online information
Box 17. Actively recruiting volunteers in the city of Horsens, Denmark
The Nordic countries have well developed voluntary sectors that engage in their communities in various roles.
In the Danish city of Horsens, the social care sector has managed to build up an important infrastructure of
volunteers. Since 2000, the Municipality of Horsens has had a volunteer policy that sets out goals and frame-
works for cooperation with associations of volunteers. As of 2016, some 1000 volunteers were engaged in
support of older people, many of them seniors themselves.
Coordinated by the Horsens Healthy City Shop, volunteers are engaged in a range of activities. Examples
include the following.
• Volunteers support the work of activity centres for older people and of nursing homes – for example, by
visiting seniors in nursing homes to join them at lunch time.
• Volunteers act as “Hospital Friends” in cooperation with the biggest local association for senior citizens.
• Other network groups support senior citizens with weak social networks and those at risk of experiencing
loneliness.
90 • Volunteers staff 14 ICT clubs for older people, offering ICT support for senior citizens.
• in the employment
A mentoring system has been set up in which older people help younger citizens who experience difficulties
sector.
Source: Horsens Healthy City (2016).
Box 18. Let us be active! Social inclusion of older people through volunteering in three Baltic
cities
Initiatives under the project entitled “Let us be active! Social inclusion of older people through volunteering in
Estonia, Latvia and Finland” promote social activity and inclusion among older adults, with the participation
of seniors as volunteers. These address social exclusion and loneliness through volunteering opportunities in
three Baltic cities: Pärnu (Estonia), Riga (Latvia) and Turku (Finland).
Older people in each of the cities were invited by health care professionals and social workers and through
other relevant organizations to participate in the project. It developed volunteer activities for older adults,
applying a number of participatory approaches, including:
• surveys and interviews of older people to find out how they could be involved in volunteering actions;
• development of workshops and training courses with older adults and social workers;
• providing comprehensive
consulting with relatives of older adults;
• systems for older adults. information on existing volunteering activities by creating information and support
Examples are a call centre in Riga and online platforms in Pärnu and Turku. The volunteer activities were
shared between cities to better develop support systems for older adults.
Source: EU Central Baltic Programme (2014).

Policy interventions and initiatives by examples from existing age-friendly strategies, action
action area and objective plans and case studies. Interventions and initiatives
mentioned may be projects already implemented in
Table 6 follows the structure of this chapter’s proposed local contexts or those designed for implementation in
directions for interventions and objectives and adds an age-friendly action plan.
Table 6. Practice examples for civic engagement and employment from local age-friendly action
plans and assessments

Engagement in Empowering citizens to • Changing structures and institutionalizing older peo-
political life and have a voice and take ple’s voices and legal powers
decision-making an active role in local • Special interdisciplinary working groups (professionally
decision-making facilitated) involving older people to jointly plan, lead
(cross-cutting with domain and implement actions in neighbourhoods (such as a
4: social participation and
neighbourhood motor group)
domain 5: social inclusion
and non-discrimination) • Senior councils with executive powers to be consulted
on any decisions that concern the lives of older people
in the local authority
• Involvement of older people and their representatives
(NGOs and associations) in the city council or neigh-
bourhood councils
• Commissions/councils established as advisory and
initiative bodies representing the interests of spe-
cial groups in the local authorities (such as women,
older people, children, young people or people with 91
disabilities)
Other forms of partici- • Organization of participatory events: leadership work-
patory mechanisms shops looking at challenges and developing solutions;
community forums to influence planning and prioritiza-
tion of interventions
• Roundtables, panels and public discussions to present
findings from assessments and enable participation in
planning
• Pilot testing of interventions with community involve-
ment in steering groups and participatory evaluation
Consultation of older • Participatory age-friendly assessments and needs
people in the definition assessments, e.g. via focus groups, community
of problems and actions forums, participatory research (such as on-street
needed conversations)
• Qualitative research, needs assessments, community
diagnosis, e.g. interviews, street audits, questionnaires
and surveys
• Public information and local consultations about plans
and decisions and opportunities to get involved,
oppose or comment for people who want to

Table 6 contd

Economic life and Employers providing • Initiatives to support local employers in planning sup-
employment better opportunities port for older workers to remain in work as long as they
for an age-diverse wish
(cross-cutting with domain workforce • Making use of intergenerational work teams
•
5: social inclusion and
More flexible arrangements and employment opportu-
non-discrimination)
nities for older people (temporary and part-time work;
working from home; technological support)
• Adult vocational training or reorientation programmes
(support to people aged over 50 years to get back into
work; working according to abilities)
• Changing employment practice to enable people to
stay in employment despite reaching retirement age
• Development and use of guidelines for age-friendly
workplaces
Creating new busi- • Special career guidance services and job search work-
ness or entrepreneurial shops for seniors in local employment agencies
opportunities • Creation of specific small job profiles for older people
and opportunities for professional development and
training (grandparent babysitters, companions, home
helps, information officers)
• Provision of training courses for start-up and self-em-
ployment to encourage continuation of professional
92 activity after retirement
• Age-friendly trade fairs/business forums
Engagement in public Promoting co-creation: • Apleprotocol, charter or act on how to involve older peo-
life: co-creation and involving older people in to be followed by agencies
volunteering the design and delivery • Reviewing mechanisms of procurement, commission-
of services that affect ing and grants to enable asset-based practice and
(cross-cutting with domain their lives social enterprises guided by social impact
•
4: social participation)
Involving older people in quality control and evaluation
of services targeted at them
• Improving feedback following complaints and after
public meetings
• Community grants for small projects with the aim of
social integration of seniors
• Opportunities for training and capacity-building, e.g.
training for trainers to become leaders of activities, col-
laboration with universities of the third age
• Flexible activities and workshops where people can
either learn or teach
• Facilitating community-driven non-profit initiatives
with legal and administrative advice and supportive
frameworks
• Involving senior advisors and older people as experts
and in mentoring opportunities
• Mutual reciprocal support among older people (“not a
one-way street”)

Table 6 contd

Promoting social inclu- • Creating awareness of the benefits of volunteering
sion of older people • Local volunteer bank and centre for support
though voluntary work • Increasing recognition of existing well functioning pro-
Time banks
• grammes and volunteers (e.g. awards, compensations)
• Information platforms to reach out to seniors (managed
by older people themselves)
• Online information platforms and volunteer job banks
• support for neighbourhood support and family
Incentives
• Covering expenses and recognition of efforts

Resources and toolkits Federal/Provincial/Territorial Ministers Responsible
for Seniors (2012). Age-friendly workplaces: promot-
AFE-INNOVNET (2015). Guidelines for co-producing ing older worker participation. Quebec: Government
age-friendly environments with older people. [web- of Canada (http://www.seniors.gc.ca/eng/working/fptf/
site]. Brussels: Thematic Network on Innovation for promoting.shtml, accessed 8 June 2016).
Age-Friendly Environments (http://afeinnovnet.eu/
content/guidelines-co-producing-age-friendly-environ- Harbers MM, Achterberg PW, editors (2012). Europeans
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Further reading Löffler E (2009). A future research agenda for co-pro-

duction: overview paper. Swindon: Local Authorities
AARP (2012). Civic engagement among mid-life and Research Council Initiative.
older adults. Findings from the 2012 Survey on Civic
Engagement. Washington DC: AARP (http://www.aarp. Mathies AL, editor (2006). Nordic civil society orga-
org/politics-society/advocacy/info-12-2012/civic-en- nizations and the future of welfare states: a model for
gagement-adults.html, accessed 8 June 2016). Europe? Copenhagen: Nordic Council of Ministers.
AGE Platform Europe (2011). Guide for civil dialogue on Morrow-Howell N (2010). Volunteering in later life:
promoting older people’s social inclusion. Brussels: AGE research frontiers. J Gerontol B Psychol Sci Soc Sci.
Platform Europe (http://www.age-platform.eu/news- 65B(4): 461–9. doi:10.1093/geronb/gbq024.
press/age-publications-and-other-resources/age-publi-
cations, accessed 2 October 2015). Pettigrew S, Jongenelis M, Newton RU, Warburton J,
94 Jackson B (2015). Research protocol for a randomized
AGE Platform Europe (2014). Guidelines on involving controlled trial of the health effects of volunteering for
older people in social innovation development. Sheffield: seniors. Health Qual Life Outcomes. 13:74.
INNOVAGE (http://www.age-platform.eu/age-work/
age-projects/social-innovation-and-research/1628-in- Small M (2000). Understanding the older entrepreneur.
novage, accessed 8 June 2016). London: International Longevity Centre (http://www.
ilcuk.org.uk/index.php/publications/publication_details/
AGE UK (2009). Engaging with older peo- understanding_the_older_entrepreneur, accessed 8
ple: evidence review. London: Age UK (http:// June 2016).
w w w. a g e u k . o r g . u k / p r o f e s s i o n a l - r e s o u r c -
es-home/research/reports/communities/ World Café Europe (2013). European Voices
archive/, accessed 8 June 2016). for Active Ageing (EVAA) [website]. Munich:
World Café Europe (http://www.worldcafe.eu/
Buffel T, editor (2015). Researching age- frontend/index.php?page_id=142&ses_id=
friendly communities: stories from older peo- 83b81538b8feef5ba3a1aef5b247182f, accessed 8
ple as co-investigators. Manchester: University June 2016).
of Manchester (https://extranet.who.int/

96
Domain 7:
communication
and information

Domain 7:
communication and
information
Introduction Among the topics addressed in this chapter, a focus is
placed on initiatives that aim to bridge what has been
Activities to improve communication and information called the “digital gap” (Mason, Sinclair & Berry, 2011)
aimed at all groups of older people play a key role in and to foster health literacy among older people, which
closing the gaps in access to services, activities and is crucial for older people to make informed decisions
events, and in reaching out to more vulnerable parts and to manage their health (IROHLA, 2015a; 2015b).
of the population. Domain 7 covers a diverse set of Both topics are related: the transfer of health resources
aspects of communication and information: issues of and health care by electronic means (eHealth) and
accessibility, technology and the contribution of infor- health information from the Internet are specific aspects
mation to preventing the risk of social exclusion, to for health literacy of older people (CDC, 2009).
name the most important. It recognizes that a reliable 97
flow of information on community news, activities and Strategic directions for policy
opportunities that is adapted to the needs and prefer- interventions
ences of older people is vital – in particular for those liv-
ing alone in the community and who may have reduced
connections to formal or informal networks. The goal of interventions in this domain is to assist
older adults in accessing timely, reliable, relevant
Communication and information is the first of two and understandable information about their com-
domains of the AFEE framework that address the munity, ways of engagement, available services
dimension of municipal services for age-friendly com- and health topics through word of mouth, general
munities. Activities in this domain include many events press or the use of information technology.
organized by the third sector and supported by volun-
teering, so it has strong interconnections with domain
6: civic engagement and employment. This domain To reach these goals, age-friendly action plans identify
corresponds to that of the same title in the original special groups of older people at risk of exclusion from
WHO global guide (WHO, 2007a). information that can be important for them. Among
these are people who live with a limited network of
Community activities for healthy ageing are often family or friends, who are homebound or who are living
attended by groups of relatively healthy older people with dementia. Different interventions and information
– they tend to be part of social and family networks channels are needed to address these different needs.
that help them to stay connected with community life For example, information provided by formal or infor-
and informed about the range of activities and services mal caregivers can help people living with dementia
available for them, including their rights and how to remember scheduled activities and events and main-
access public services. Opportunities to access infor- tain their active participation in the community. The
mation are therefore not equally spread among older right information can have a protective function and
people. contribute to a feeling of being safe and connected.
Communication and information

Tailored information can also protect older people from that older people find health information on the web
abuse, such as financial abuse. that is accurate and safe (Moore, 2005).
Seniors’ NGOs play a key role in many cases, reaching Moreover, this domain has links to domain 8: commu-
out and talking directly to older people in the community and health services, as those providing home help
nity who would not easily be reached by other means or other services, for example, can also act as sources
of communication. This is the case both for relatively of reliable information for older people. The same is
wealthy communities and for resource-constrained the case for day care and other community centres for
settings. older people.
Modern information technology is seen as a promis- The following sections describe the range of inter-
ing way to help older people to stay connected and ventions that communities have developed for better
provide them a range of support, including when they reaching out with information and communication to
are living with reduced mobility. Access to technology is older people, families and other stakeholders in order
currently very uneven, however, including basic access to create more age-friendly environments. A table at
to the Internet. Rates of Internet use are relatively low the end of the chapter provides practical examples
for the highest age groups. This fact and the special that show how local governments have operationalized
challenges posed by the spread of the Internet as gen- areas for action into their action plans.
eral portal for accessing services – such as eGovern-
ment systems – are discussed in this chapter. Age-friendly information
Communication and information are indispensable for Examples of deficits of formats and design of informa-
staying socially connected. It is vital for accessing ser- tion and communication that are not age-friendly are
vices covered under other domains, such as domain still widespread. Listening to older people, such as in
2: transport and mobility. This domain also has links the context of focus groups has helped to reveal them.
98 to training and lifelong learning (see the chapter on
domain 4: social inclusion and non-discrimination), Awareness is growing that communities and local
which contribute to helping older people adapt to new authorities have an important role in ensuring that infor-
technologies and ways of communication. The oppor- mation about local activities and services reaches older
tunities and challenges for older people to access infor- people. This is increasingly seen as a cross-sectoral
mation and to benefit from advances in modern com- concern and has led to the development of communi-
munication technology receive special attention. This is cation strategies tailored to the needs of older people.
an area that is currently actively researched but many These include a broad range of communication media
challenges remain, not least the issue of how to ensure – such as free local newspapers for pensioners – but
Key facts
• Regular information events or “fairs” where older people can get involved and receive information about
the broad spectrum of community activities available to them have in many cases become celebrations of
healthy ageing (such as “senior days” or “positive ageing weeks”).
• Health literacy – the ability to access and comprehend health-related information – is limited in every sec-
ond older person (Sørensen et al., 2015). This presents a challenge for healthy ageing.
• Internet use among those aged 55–74 years has been growing quickly over the last 10 years in most EU
countries. Changes over time have favoured those with middle and higher education more than those with
lower formal education in most countries (Eurostat, 2011; Rodrigues, Huber & Lamura, 2012).
• There remain large differences between countries in Internet use among those aged 55–74 years, rang-
ing from just over 5% in Turkey to over 70% in Iceland and Norway (Eurostat, 2011; Rodrigues, Huber &
Lamura, 2012).
• Regular Internet use is much lower among people aged 75 years and over compared to other age groups.

also points of contact, where older people receive sup- include public lectures, seminars and discussions on
port with information they need. This requires work gerontological topics or conferences on healthy age-
across service providers and cooperation between ing issues.
public services, private providers and volunteering
activities. A clearing house for health- and ageing-
related information
Age-friendly information ensures quality and
accessibility of information for older people. For older people it can be challenging to access the
The use of more age-friendly formats is now sup- information that is needed to stay healthy and active.
ported in a growing number of countries by national When information is fragmented or inaccessible for
or subnational guidelines on accessible information to older people they might miss existing opportunities to
ensure quality and accessibility of information for older stay actively connected with the community and may
people. Among the common elements are clear, con- simply not be aware of the range of publicly or privately
cise formats and use of easy language; large print ver- available services and activities (such as volunteering).
sions (for example, of forms, manuals and directories); The Internet is increasingly the main hub for publicly
and better legibility of LED signs and displays. Where available information: while this offers good opportuni-
communities use automated telephone information ties, it also creates a barrier for many older people who
systems or call routing systems, it is worth testing do not use the Internet.
their user-friendliness with older users, including in
pilot schemes. Many communities have responded to the needs
of older people for comprehensive and reliable
Local authorities can make use of a variety of information by establishing single entry-point
dissemination channels. information services.
Local authorities and communities have direct infor- Single entry-points for comprehensive information
mation channels that they can use to disseminate come in different forms, such as walk-in information
information that reaches out to older people and their centres and telephone hotlines linked to call centres. 99
families and friends. These include broadcasts on Such services provide a “one-stop shop” for older peo-
local television and radio; tailored information material ple to receive reliable core information and answers to
produced as leaflets, brochures or maps; newsletters; frequently asked questions, together with guidance on
poster campaigns; and message boards (for exam- how to access further information if needed.
ple, in libraries, churches, public meeting places and
neighbourhoods). An accessible way of informing a Comprehensive information refers to both publicly
broad public about age-friendly initiatives is the pub- organized services and information and guidance on
lication of illustrative personal stories of older people broader community activities, as well as opportunities
(see, for example, Manchester City Council, 2016). for social participation and volunteering. Among core
More investment, however, may be needed in some information frequently requested is:
cases to make existing municipal websites more
accessible, both for structure and easy navigation and • information on health and social services;
by making use of web content accessibility guidelines • of older people; (other) entitlements and rights
information regarding
(W3C, 2008).
• financial advice, including age-friendly banking
Public events are important information sources services;
for older people. • information on community life and activities.
Those communities with longer traditions of age-
friendly initiatives often make use of senior weeks or One-stop shops have, for example, been linked to
days: these are given various titles, such as “posi- senior day centres, in the form of information desks
tive ageing weeks” or annual “festivals of the third or rooms. In addition, 24-hour telephone services are
age”. These events provide opportunities to share available in many cases – a strategy that can be used
information between activities and initiatives, and to for communities at all income levels (Box 19).
learn about and try out the broad range of existing
and new activities and services available in the com- Besides their information function, walk-in centres have
munity. Other publicly organized information sources been designed in ways that offer basic services, such

Box 19. Silver Line helpline for older people in the United Kingdom
The Silver Line is a free confidential helpline in the United Kingdom. It provides information, friendship and
advice to older people and is open on a 24/7 basis throughout the year. The helpline disseminates information
about services and activities that people can access in their communities.
The Silver Line supports vulnerable older people, including those who want to remain anonymous. Information
is offered on both services and community actions and projects. Callers can, however, also get help by
addressing loneliness and isolation, and in situations of abuse and neglect. Moreover, the helpline can orga-
nize regular friendship calls. Around two thirds of the calls are received at night and during weekends. The
majority of callers live alone and say they have no one else to speak to. The Silver Line works with volunteers
(around 3000 in 2016) that are trained to act as “telephone friends” (or “letter friends”).
Source: The Silver Line (2017).
as initial sociomedical assessments (see the chapter levels, with risks for their health outcomes and cost of
on domain 8: community and health services). They services (Cutilli, 2007). Older people with less edu-
can also provide help with intersectoral services, such cation, lower incomes or poor mental and physical
as filling in administrative forms and service requests or health can be at higher risk of marginal or inadequate
accessing eGovernment services (see the section on health literacy. Those older people with poor health,
addressing the digital gap below), by allowing assisted who are therefore most in need of health literacy, have
access to computers and online content. been found to have lower health literacy levels than
other groups of older people (Oldfield & Dreher, 2010).
Information can also be provided on volunteering orga- Numerous national health promotion and disease pre-
100 nizations that can help with these issues or offer related vention programmes therefore specify older people as
support. One-stop shops can build up expertise over special target group and aim at promoting and sup-
time on the range of information that older people need. porting implementation at all levels of government,
Focus groups or other means of participatory research including cities and communities (Box 20).
with older people as participants can help in evaluating
and improving the quality of services rendered in this Health literacy is “the degree to which an individual
way. has the capacity to obtain, communicate, process
and understand basic health-related information
and services to make appropriate health
Improving health literacy
decisions.”
Health literacy is one of the success factors for healthy IROHLA (2015a: 5)
ageing, enabling people to cope with the demands of

different health situations and maintain quality of life. Enhancing the competencies of health
Understanding age-related changes in health, the role professionals and care providers is an
of good nutrition and sufficient physical activity can important component towards achieving better
make a difference for health trajectories in older age health literacy.
(WHO, 2015b). Knowing how to communicate effec- To address gaps in health literacy capacity and com-
tively with health and social care professionals is critical munication, training is required for health and social
in order to navigate complex health and social systems. care staff to improve their knowledge and awareness
of how to communicate better about health and age-
Health literacy levels vary greatly in the population; they ing topics with older clients. Special translation ser-
are lower among older age groups (Swedish National vices for people from ethnic minority groups among
Institute for Public Health, 2006; Zamora & Clingerman, health and social service users also become more
2011). This is a special concern in regard to geriatric urgent when people with migrant backgrounds enter
patients, who often have only marginal health literacy higher age groups.

Box 20. Local initiatives in Germany to implement the national action plan IN FORM
In German, a national action plan for 2008–2020 is called “IN FORM: Germany’s initiative to promote healthy
diets and increased physical activity”. It has led to the development of a range of information brochures on
nutrition tailored to older people and disseminated in various ways, including over the website Fit im Alter [Fit
in old age].
As well as guidelines to increase awareness and health literacy among older people and their families, quality
standards and nutritional guidelines were developed and published for nursing homes and homes for older
people, meals on wheels, hospitals and rehabilitation facilities.
IN FORM is a joint initiative between the federal Ministry of Health and Ministry of Nutrition and Agriculture. It
is implemented in close cooperation and coordination with federal states and local governments, including
those of cities and communities, many of which use the nationally developed guidelines and brochures for
local distribution, health education and promotion activities at the community level. For this purpose, guides
for cities and communities have been developed on how to use and disseminate the national guidance in local
initiatives with older people.
Sources: German Association for Nutrition (2017); Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture (2017).
Empowering older people, their families, social Older people may need support with eHealth
networks and communities by increasing literacy interventions in order to improve their
general communication skills and knowledge health in new ways.
of ageing and health-related issues can be eHealth literacy has been defined as the ability to seek,
effective. find, understand and appraise health information from 101
Better information and training for older people and electronic sources and apply the knowledge gained
their families is needed. Increasing general awareness to addressing or solving a health problem (Norman &
of ageing-related health issues can be beneficial, in Skinnner, 2006). eHealth and mobile health (mHealth)
particular, to people with low health literacy and those provide new opportunities for older people to find health
suffering from multiple diseases (IROHLA, 2015b). information over the Internet or the mobile phone and
to engage in an exchange with others to communicate
Capacity-building to support self-management is on health interests and challenges. Specific interven-
important to increase health literacy in a broader tions may be needed to assist older people to access,
sense (Findley, 2015). This is a central goal of many find their way around and use new technologies to
interventions organized for older people at the local their full benefit (Watkins & Xie, 2014). Among those
level. These comprise lecture series and talks on most in need of such interventions are older people in
health-related topics; workshops and skills training; poorer households and other vulnerable older adults –
training to use assistive technologies; and training to in particular, those that are homebound (Choi & Dinitto,
monitor information (from the use of step counters 2013).
to the monitoring of blood pressure or blood sugar
levels). Addressing the digital gap
eHealth refers to the use of information and Improving computer literacy and access to the Internet
communication technologies in support of health allows older people to access a range of information
and health-related fields. sources on healthy ageing in their communities. Among
these are:
mHealth is a subdomain within eHealth. It refers
to the use of mobile and wireless technologies to
support the achievement of health objectives. • Internet portals and platforms on activities and sup-
port services;
(WHO, 2015e)

• publications on “healthy ageing profiles” and healthy ensure that older people are not excluded. Social net-
ageing observatories for cities, communities or works and face-to-face contacts are among the means
regions; of support for older people to foster their adoption of
• access to age-friendly strategies and action plans; eGovernment services (Righi, Sayago & Blat, 2011).
• online expert forums and consultations (such as “Ask
your geriatrician”); Action at the community level is crucial to help older
• websites for family caregivers with information on people both become computer literate and learn how
available support and opportunities for an exchange to use modern technology for their own communica-
with peers. tion, such as for staying connected with family and
friends. Intergenerational activities where younger peo-
Not all information available from these sources may be ple help older people to overcome this barrier have
easily accessible, however, and its quality can vary. It is become popular models in some cities; they are also
often posted without professional quality checks, such popular in the context of more resource-constrained
as those into whether information is adequate or safe, in settings, such as in eastern European countries. Where
particular in the case of online health communities. electronic devices such as computers or tablets are still
too costly for older people, community centres or clubs
In order to address a digital gap among older people, can be hubs to provide access.
information technology and computer courses can aim
specifically at learning how to access information rele- Computer literacy is, however, only one precondition to
vant to older people (and those in rural areas). These overcoming barriers of access to information. Finding
courses therefore need to be tailored to the diverse one’s way around the Internet can be challenging for a
needs – for example, for those who want to use social number of other reasons. Webpages are too often not
media, communication technology (such as Skype) or designed with older people in mind. Even where fol-
email, or for those who want to find information online or lowing web standards of accessibility has become the
search for employment. Publicly accessible computers norm, the way information is presented and the navi-
102 with Internet access in libraries or senior centres support gation between pages can still be confusing, and older
those without equipment and connections at home. people may still need help from families or volunteers to
access and navigate online information.
In order to navigate eGovernment systems, some
older people need special guidance and support. Policy interventions and initiatives by
In societies where more and more information is dissem- action area and objective
inated electronically and the Internet has become a key
gateway to the world, many older people are at risk of Table 7 follows the structure of this chapter’s proposed
being left behind if they are computer illiterate. Among directions for interventions and objectives and adds
United Nations regions, the European has the highest examples from existing age-friendly strategies, action
development of eGovernment (UN DESA, 2012:29). plans and case studies. Interventions and initiatives
Where eGovernment legislation aims at fully switching to mentioned may be projects already implemented in
electronic forms for communication with public adminis- local contexts or those designed for implementation in
tration, however, special attention needs to be paid to an age-friendly action plan.

Table 7. Practice examples for communication and information from local age-friendly action plans
and assessments

Age-friendly Increasing accessibility • Better information on activities and services, particularly
information of information in rural areas
• Free local newspapers for pensioners
(cross-cutting with domain
• Making existing municipal websites age-friendly
• service counters
4: social participation and
Ensuring maintenance of face-to-face services and
and non-discrimination)
• Senior citizens’ centres at the neighbourhood level (see

the chapter on domain 4: social participation)
• Working across service providers to agree on guide-
lines for accessible information to ensure quality and
accessibility of information for older people
• Developing communication strategies and making sure
that older people are not excluded through web-only
services
Ensure effective
dissemination of
• Regular information broadcasts for older people on
local television and radio
information • Tailored information material: leaflets, brochures and
maps
• Sections on healthy ageing in local newspapers
• (in libraries, churches,
Newsletters, poster campaigns and message boards
public meeting places and 103
neighbourhoods)
• Avoiding automated telephone information systems or
call routing systems, or testing their usability with older
people
• Encouraging word of mouth among older people
• Regular information on home care and home service
providers and general practitioners
• Reliable information points for all issues concerning
older people
Age-friendly formats • Pilot testing of promotional materials with older people
• World Wide
Use of the web content accessibility guidelines of the
Web Consortium (W3C)
• Clear, concise formats
Better readability of LED signs and displays
• Large print versions (e.g.andofuse of easy language
• directories) forms and manuals and
• “Browse aloud”: reading aloud services of web content

and documents

Table 7 contd

Clearing house One-stop shops for • Creation of information centres: single entry-points for
for health-related information for older comprehensive information about ageing, matching of
information people, their families opportunities for social participation and volunteering,
and carers switchboard for local age-friendly services
(cross-cutting with domain
4: social participation and • Reception for first orientation and sociomedical
assessments
and non-discrimination) • Intersectoral special consultation services, including
help with filling in forms and applications
• Telephone hotline and call centre
• Places to allow assisted access to computers and
online content
• Places of reflection and laboratories for ideas
Capacity-building • Lecture series and talks on health-related topics
to support • Workshops and skills training
self-management • tion (e.g. step counters)and training to monitor informa-
Assistive technologies
• Articles and reports concerning older people’s health

and well-being in local media
• Information leaflets distributed through health and med-
ical centres
• Library and media/video library for ageing topics
104 Providing the range of • Information regarding entitlements and rights of older
information that older people
people need • Financial advice, including age-friendly banking
services
• Information regarding community life and activities
• Clear information on health and social services
• friendly businesses
Register of reliable and trusted services and age-
Health literacy Making sure that • Surveys of health literacy in the local population and
information provided analysis of barriers to access information
(cross-cutting with domain reaches older people • Simplified bureaucracy and administration procedures
• Capacity-building
4: social participation,
and communication training for
domain 5: social inclu-
sion and non-discrim- health care and service providers
ination and domain 6:
• Talk and translation services for ethical minority groups
using health services
• Training
employment)
and campaigns to increase capacity to under-
stand health-related information
• Cross-agency coordination of information provision
through a network of service providers to assist in con-
tacting harder-to-reach older people
• Training for trusted community and home care workers
to give reliable information on support services

Table 7 contd

Public events Providing opportunities • Senior weeks/positive ageing weeks
to learn about and try • Public lectures, seminars and discussions on geronto-
out existing and new logical topics
activities and services • Annual festival of the third age as an information-shar-
ing platform for older people at the national level
• Conferences on healthy ageing issues
Digital gap Providing websites • Centralized indicator and monitoring system: data-
/Internet platforms for base and profile of healthy ageing/healthy ageing
(cross-cutting with domain older people observatory
•
4: social participation,
Making age-friendly strategies and plans accessible
domain 5: social inclu-
sion and non-discrim- • Online expert forum and consultation (“Ask your
ination and domain 6: geriatrician”)
employment) • Internet portal and platform on activities and support
services
• Website for carers: information, available support and
forum to exchange with peers
• Development of more user-friendly smart phone appli-
cations to improve information and security of seniors
(but with awareness that access is not universal)
Decreasing the digital • Information technology and computer courses that aim
gap specifically at accessing information relevant to older
people (particularly those in rural areas) 105
• Tailoring courses to diverse needs, e.g. for those who
want to use social media, communication technology
(such as Skype) or email, or for those who want to find
information online or search for employment
• Providing publicly accessible computers with Internet
access (at libraries or senior centres)
• Building digital connectivity in cities that can be used
for good access to assistive technologies in the home
Resources and toolkits Handler S (2014). A research and evaluation framework

for age-friendly cities. Manchester: UK Urban Ageing
Age UK (2013) Information and advice for Consortium.
older people: evidence review. London: Age
UK (http://www.ageuk.org.uk/professional-re- IROHLA (2015). 20 ways to improve health literacy in
sources-home/research/reports/communities/ Europe [website]. Groningen: Intervention Research on
archive/, accessed 9 June 2016). Health Literacy among Ageing Population (http://www.
irohla.eu/news/article/20-ways-to-improve-health-liter-
CARDI (2013). Online government – offline older peo- acy-in-europe/, accessed 9 June 2016).
ple? A summary of e-government and older people
in Ireland north and south. Dublin: Centre for Ageing Public Health Agency of Canada (2010). Age-
Research and Development in Ireland (http://www. Friendly communication: facts, tips and ideas.
cardi.ie/publications/onlinegovernmentofflineolderpeo- Ottawa: Public Health Agency of Canada
plecardisummary, accessed 9 June 2016). ( h t t p : / / w w w. p h a c - a s p c . g c . c a / s e n i o r s - a i n e s /

publications/public/various-varies/afcomm-commave- Kobayashi LC, Wardle J, Wolf MS, von Wagner C
caines/index-eng.php, accessed 9 June 2016). (2014). Aging and functional health literacy: a system-
atic review and meta-analysis. J Gerontol B Psychol Sci
W3C (2008). Web content accessibility guidelines Soc Sci. 71(3):445–57. doi: 10.1093/geronb/gbu161.
(WCAG) 2.0 [website]. Cambridge MA: World Wide
Web Consortium (http://www.w3.org/TR/WCAG20/, Manafo E, Wong S (2012). Health literacy programs for
accessed 02 October 2015). older adults: a systematic literature review. Health Educ
Res. 27(6):947–60. doi: 10.1093/her/cys067.
Further reading
Tan CC, Cheng KK, Wang W (2015). Self-care man-
Car J, Lang B, Colledge A, Ung C, Majeed A (2011). agement programme for older adults with diabetes: an
Interventions for enhancing consumers’ online health integrative literature review. Int J Nurs Pract. 21(Suppl
literacy. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 6:CD007092. 2_:115–24. doi: 10.1111/ijn.12388.
doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD007092.pub2.
Ubaldi B (2010). Denmark.: efficient e-government for
DG CONNECT (2010). Digitizing public services smarter public service delivery. Paris: OECD Publishing
in Europe: putting ambition into action. Brussels: (http://www.oecd.org/gov/digital-government/den-
European Commission Directorate-General for mark-efficiente-governmentforsmarterpublicservicede-
Information Society and Media (https://www.capgem- livery.htm, accessed 9 June 2016).
ini.com/resources/2010-egovernment-benchmark,
accessed 9 June 2016). Virkar S, Dutton WH, Margetts H, Eynon R, Hicks
T, Guimarães MTM (2007). Breaking barriers to
106

e-government: overcoming obstacles to improv-
ing European public services. Brussels: European
Commission.
Zickuhr K, Madden M (2012). Older adults and Internet

use. Washington DC: Pew Research Centre (http://
www.pewinternet.org/2012/06/06/older-adults-and-
internet-use/, accessed 9 June 2016).
108
Domain 8:
community and
health services

Domain 8:
community and
health services
Introduction causes rather than the health and functional status
of older people (Leichsenring, Billings & Nies, 2013).
This chapter presents the eighth domain – community Introducing or expanding respite care services and dis-
and health services – of the AFEE framework. This is cussing with hospital managers ways to improve dis-
the second of two domains that address the dimen- charge procedures for older people can contribute to a
sion of municipal services for age-friendly communi- more seamless continuity of services (Colombo et al.,
ties. Following the example of the original WHO global 2011).
guide (WHO, 2007a), this domain brings together a
broad range of services.
The goal of interventions in this domain is to pro-
Countries in Europe differ widely in the degree to mote and provide older adults with a broad range 109
which local authorities are responsible for financing, of well located, easily accessible health and
organizing and providing health and social services community services. These include preventive,
– services for which older people are often major, if nutritional guidance and mental health services,
not the main, users. To decide on the roles of com- affordable meals and help with everyday activi-
munities and other local authorities in providing and ties, home care arrangements and person-cen-
improving health, social and community services, it is tred health services and residential care facilities.
therefore essential to consider the division of labour
and different responsibilities across levels or tiers of
governments in Europe. This calls for strategies and In most countries a divide (financial, legal, organiza-
action plans to be adapted to the situation of the tional, professional and in responsibilities) between
community or region in question. In general, however, health and social care leads to inefficient allocation
communities have an important role in empowering of resources and is particularly felt by older people
patients, older people in need of social support and in need of different types of care (and their carers).
their formal and informal caregivers, in a number of It can lead to delays, uncoordinated service delivery,
ways outlined in this chapter. lack of information, financial burdens, long waiting
times and reactive – rather than preventive – service
Strategic directions for policy approaches.
interventions
Older people prefer to stay at home as long as possi-
Communities can contribute greatly to increasing the ble, in many cases with their partner or another fam-
well-being of older people and the quality and effi- ily member caring for them. Nevertheless, such care
ciency of health and social services by acting on some arrangements need to be facilitated by professional
of the broader social determinants of health-seeking health and social care services, and sometimes also by
behaviour and inefficiencies. For example, there is evi- residential care facilities and primary care structures,
dence of “bed-blocking” in hospitals and unnecessary for which local governments often have an important
admissions to residential care that result from social coordinating role. The development of community care
Community and health services

Key facts
• Public spending on long-term care differs widely across Europe, ranging from more than 2.5% of GDP in a
few countries to less than 0.5% of GDP in many countries (OECD, 2015).
• Private contributions in the form of out-of-pocket spending for long-term care are usually large, especially
for those living in residential care, requiring older people to use a large share of their pension income to
cover costs. Public expenditure may also be means-tested, and there are filial obligations for shared fund-
ing in some cases. Local communities may have to contribute out of social assistance budgets for those
not able to cover their private share (OECD, 2011).
• In all countries informal care, often given by family members, supplies a large share of the support and
care needed by older people with disabilities. Most informal caregivers are women, many still of working
age, but up 10% are both men and women aged 75 years and older (Rodrigues, Huber & Lamura, 2012).
• Older people are disproportionally affected by disasters. For example, 56% of those who died during the
Japanese tsunami in 2011 were aged 65 years or over, while older people accounted for 23% of the local
population (HelpAge International, 2015).
has been a great success in many countries, reducing local services, including volunteer action (see also
the proportion of older people having to move to care the chapters on domain 4: social participation and
homes; however, reform of long-term care is ongoing, domain 6: civic engagement and employment).
with new methods of quality assurance, integrated
delivery and funding, posing challenges to communi- Better coordination and integration of services, in par-
ties in charge of these services. ticular at the boundary between health and social ser-
vices for older people (including long-term care), has
110 The uptake of modern eHealth support for older peo- been identified as critical to improving the efficiency
ple is one of the emerging policy areas in Europe and and effectiveness of these services (WHO Regional
there are still gaps in knowledge about its success fac- Office for Europe, 2015c; 2016c). Deficits in the coor-
tors and outcomes. Addressing these gaps is a major dination of services are still widespread in Europe,
concern of recent initiatives in the EU and is covered although much has been learnt in recent years from
in a separate section at the end of this chapter. practice examples of improving coordination of care,
or moving more fully to integration (Osborn et al.,
The following sections describe a range of interven- 2014). While some evidence from successful exam-
tions that communities have developed to provide ples shows improved care, less evidence is available
better adapted, affordable and accessible community on whether this can lead to overall cost savings (see,
and health services as part of more age-friendly envi- for example, Øvretveit, 2011).
ronments. These ensure more seamless provision and
coordination of the core health and social services that Among core strategies and notable practice examples
many older people need, in particular the oldest age for local government initiatives are the following (see
groups. A table at the end of the chapter provides prac- also WHO Regional Office for Europe, 2012a: 13):
tical examples that show how local governments have
operationalized areas for action into their action plans. • public information systems to monitor and eval-
uate the living situation, health and well-being of
Community action for coordination and older people living in the community – these can
integrated care provision be supported by a number of existing and emerg-
ing technologies (see also the chapter on domain
Communities and other local authorities can play an 7: communication and information and the section
important role in the coordination of services across on ambient assisted living and “ICT for ageing well”
providers and branches of social protection. This may services below);
include, for example, providing information services • one-stop shops of information and empowerment
to older people, their families and carers on service for older people and their families (see the chapter
availability, rights and responsibilities and supportive on domain 7: communication and information);

• day care and respite care facilities (the former early identification of people at risk of functional decline
services can be an integrated part of residential and the provision of support for independent living at
facilities); home (see Box 21).
• information systems at the community level to mon-
itor and control adverse events in care institutions; Health and social care settings themselves can pose
• local adaptations/development of quality stan- important, but often preventable, health risks for older
dards for geriatric concerns across all types of people (Benjamin et al., 2014). Among these are hos-
provider; pital-acquired infections, malnutrition and falls, and
• initiatives to improve health literacy and empower- people living with dementia are often most at risk
ment of older people, their relatives and voluntary (OECD, 2015; WHO, 2012b). Older people in residen-
support networks, as well as self-management tial care often have inadequate access to essential ser-
programmes such as “expert patients” or “patients vices, such as dental care or foot care (Huber et al.,
like me” (see the chapter on domain 7: communi- 2008). The primary care sector is often not adequately
cation and information). equipped or trained to coordinate care for older people
across providers, in order to prevent adverse effects,
Providing a seamless continuum of support such as from harmful over-medication.
for people with dementia remains a challenge
in many instances, and in particular for People living with dementia have special needs of
community services. enhanced community-based services and support
Issues include raising awareness and understanding to continue to age in place. Similarly, service provid-
of the needs of people with dementia, both for families ers need to be adequately trained to care for people
providing informal care and among health and social with cognitive impairments (WHO, 2012b; Alzheimer’s
care providers, and informing and educating a broader Disease International, 2015). Moreover, when peo-
public, including front-line staff of local businesses ple face high co-payment or out-of-pocket payments
and services (WHO, 2015b: Chapter 5; OECD, 2015). they may forgo essential preventive services, such as
monitoring and control of high blood pressure or reg- 111
People with dementia need access to a full range of ular control of visual health, with the risk of potentially
risk reduction strategies that include, for example, unnecessary or early health and functional decline.
maintaining social interaction, nutrition and physical
activity. Broader use should be advocated for demen- Among notable practice examples of interventions at
tia care pathways, with a focus on primary health the community or local authority level are the following
care and early screening and diagnosis (WHO, 2012b; (see WHO Regional Office for Europe, 2012a; WHO,
Alzheimer’s Disease International, 2015). 2015b: Chapter 4):
Health services, including health • focusing community- and population-based public

promotion and prevention services health services on the issues of older people;
• supporting community supplies (such as on a rental
Barriers to access to affordable, high-quality health and basis) of assistive advices, including modern tech-
social services are still a reality for too many older peo- nology for mobility;
ple in Europe. This includes cases of age discrimina- • preventive health services, including vaccinations
tion and age rationing (see Huber et al., 2008; WHO and home visits;
Regional Office for Europe, 2012a: 11–12; WHO, • improved access to mental health services for older
2014b). Inequalities in health care utilization are com- people in the community;
mon in many countries: those with better education and • addressing gaps in rehabilitation and palliative care
those in the higher income groups tend to be less likely for older people.
to be excluded from needed care (Terraneo, 2015).
Home care and support for informal care
More could also be done in many cases to prevent
further functional decline and the onset of frailty (see Where communities are in charge of home care they
the action group on frailty prevention under the EIP on have an important responsibility for monitoring it and
AHA). Examples of proactive approaches aim at the improving access and quality, as well as for providing

Box 21. Services of early support to promote independent living in Kuopio, Finland
The city of Kuopio, Finland, developed proactive measures and early support to promote independent living at
home for older people. To this end, collaboration was cultivated between primary health care staff, specialists
and other stakeholders (including NGOs) and geriatric and gerontological expertise of staff was fostered.
As a result, the Early Support of Older People in their Daily Lives (VAMU) project developed a care model that
provides tools for early identification of risks, assessment of service needs and follow-up planning. A team of
experts trained and supported project staff in early observation to promote proactive skills of staff in geriatric
and gerontological care.
The project helped to improve practices across administrative and professional boundaries. This has become
part of jointly agreed annual personal development plans for all service providers involved. As a result, the
available resources are better able to meet the service needs of older people. In addition, older people’s own
active involvement was fostered, as well as empowerment of their families and friends.
Source: European Commission (2015).
support for informal care (OECD, 2013). Communities and the person who takes over the primary care role.
can provide these services with a focus on a continuum The unpaid care role can result in significant physical,
of care choices. emotional and economic strain for the care provider
and can even put the carer at risk of ill health (WHO,
A basic package of publicly funded support for informal 2015b: Chapter 5). Carers need to be supported to
caregiving (including self-care) is vital in order to make enable them to continue this role. Support includes
112 informal care offered by family members and friends sus- adequate information, skills to assist caring, finan-
tainable. This public support can be provided in coor- cial support and respite to enable some freedom to
dination with and supported by volunteer action (see engage in other activities (WHO, 2012b).
also the chapter on domain 6: civic engagement and
employment). It both contributes to improving the health A range of programmes have been developed to
and well-being of those in need of care and protects the assist informal carers, many of which have well proven
health and well-being of informal caregivers. This public effects for both the carer and the care recipient. Carer
support includes the training of older adults in self-care respite services and home-based support for carers
and the training of informal caregivers. are important interventions and can help reduce the
burden of caring (Colombo et al., 2011).
Where communities are responsible for home care, they
also have an important role and mandate to improve For carers for people with dementia, psychoeduca-
quality and access to care provided by professional ser- tional interventions should be offered to family and
vices. This includes attracting appropriate skill mixes of other informal caregivers at the time the diagno-
staff with sufficient general knowledge and awareness of sis is made. Training of carers involving active carer
gerontological and geriatric issues. Quality issues in the participation can support carers who are coping
care of people with dementia are particularly severe and with behavioural symptoms in people with dementia
widespread in many cases; awareness is growing of the (OECD, 2015). Furthermore, psychological strain of
need to address these (WHO, 2012b). carers should be addressed with support, counselling
and cognitive-behaviour interventions, with particular
Carers or families with dependent older people attention to carers who develop depression, which
are the largest source of care and support in should be managed according to depression guide-
the WHO European Region; they need to be lines (WHO, 2012b). The WHO iSupport website is an
supported to continue playing this important role. online training programme to support caregivers for
Caring for an older family member, spouse or friend people living with dementia (WHO, 2017b).
can have an important impact on the lives of families

Residential care facilities Ambient assisted living and “ICT for
ageing well” services
A number of trends in good practice within residen-
tial care have emerged in Europe and can be used This section reviews the roles that ICT, ambient
as checklists for communities that are in charge of assisted living (AAL) and e/mHealth and care tech-
providing residential care (OECD, 2013; Leichsenring, nologies can play in creating more age-friendly envi-
Billings & Nies, 2013). They include the following ronments, with a focus on their applications for AAL
strategies: and “ICT for ageing well” services. These are seen as
important for the future development of efficient long-
• providing a continuum of choices between inde- term care systems in Europe (European Commission,
pendent living in one’s own home and living in 2013b; Carretero, 2015), as well as for the integra-
homes (or departments within homes) that care for tion/better coordination of services (see WHO, 2015b:
those with intensive long-term care needs; Chapter 5).
• de-institutionalization of residential care by provid-
ing an “everyday” living environment for as long as Compared to the topics covered in the other parts of
possible, with individualized living space, including this chapter, this area of interventions is more exper-
(and in particular) for those with dementia – this imental in many instances. Moreover, few European
can include shared apartments with integrated overviews are currently available that comprehensively
care services, embedded in community life (much review the lessons learnt in order to support munic-
has been learnt in this respect about the impor- ipalities to identify and implement ICT/AAL policy
tance of integrating residential facilities in the com- solutions that can enhance older people’s quality of
munity and avoiding placing homes at the outskirts life while simultaneously strengthening municipal ser-
of cities – examples are flat-living communities in vice accessibility, effectiveness and sustainability. This
Austria, Germany and the Netherlands (OECD, remains the case, despite the fact that ICT and AAL
2015: 44)); solutions and services are making an ever-increasing
113
• supporting the creation of health-promoting resi- contribution to how older people experience their lives
dential care facilities that provide a comprehensive in cities and communities throughout Europe. While
range of services, including for health promotion the technology market is growing and changing rap-
and disease prevention (such as adequate physi- idly, these developments are often fragmented and
cal activity, high-quality nutrition and improved falls unequally distributed across countries and between
prevention) – examples include “health-promot- population segments within countries (European
ing nursing homes” in Vienna (see the chapter on Commission, 2007; 2014c; 2014d).
domain 3: housing, Box 8);
• creating incentives for training and retaining staff Although ICT/AAL solutions are often cross-cutting
with sufficient skills in gerontological and geriatric and support applications and services across all eight
issues and reducing staff turnover (WHO, 2015b: domains of the AFEE framework, they play a par-
Chapter 5); ticularly important role within the cluster of domains
• fostering cooperation with the health care sec- addressing municipal services: domain 7: communi-
tor to avoid preventable admissions to residential cation and information and domain 8: community and
care – for example, by providing adequate nutrition health services.
and care to prevent the onset of pressure ulcers in
hospitals that may result in the need for intensive To foster discussion of this complex topic, this section
long-term care; presents a three-dimensional conceptual model (Fig.
• putting in place quality-of-care strategies and con- 6) that helps with visualizing the application landscape
tinuously monitoring their implementation, includ- for many ICT/AAL solutions, to provide insight into rel-
ing with the participation of local organizations evant questions of ICT/AAL policy development and
of older people, and giving more attention to the implementation. This conceptual model aims to pro-
psychological and well-being aspects of those liv- vide an overview of ICT/AAL applications, for which a
ing in residential care (WHO, 2015b: Chapter 5; common taxonomy is still broadly lacking in the litera-
Willemse et al., 2015). ture (AALA, 2015).

In line with widespread policy and service design prin- Extending along this continuum are social connectivity
ciples, the citizen/service user is situated at the centre support services; these may include websites for ser-
(or origin) of Fig. 6, and the areas of application expand vice/event awareness, senior helplines (such as “good
outward and around, in three axes or dimensions. morning call services”) and social networks around areas
Rather than explicit gradients, each axis represents a of common interest. Many of these types of service are
continuum of support to enhance older people’s func- directed at combating social isolation; promoting aware-
tioning in a city’s social and environmental ecosystem. ness of services and entitlements; encouraging physical,
social and cognitive activity; and connecting and engag-
The red axis is characterized as a continuum where ICT/ ing with social groups and activities.
AAL provides applications and services that incremen-
tally strengthen older people’s social and informal con- Further along this axis of informal community connec-
nection to their community. This is generally the municipal tivity are proactive services that encourage and support
policy area of social care and community development. greater participation of older people in the civic and eco-
At the most immediate level, this addresses application nomic life of the city or community – whether through
areas such as those that reinforce older people’s sense formal employment (full time or part time) or volunteer-
of safety and security at home. These tend to be ori- ing. Applications in this area range from portals providing
ented towards alarm and emergency response – where seek/search services for work engagement, opportuni-
sensors trigger alarms for breaches of property (intruder ties to contribute for limited amounts of time, time-bank-
alarms, door and window closures), personal accident ing/social credits, mentoring services, intergenerational
pendant alarms (for incidents such as falls) and warn- activities, online skills development and lifelong learning.
ings of environmental risks (smoke detectors, gas leaks
and water overflows). Sensors usually trigger a voice The blue axis is characterized as a continuum where ICT/
call connection to a call centre, where an adverse event AAL provides applications and services that incremen-
can be managed, including direct connection to relevant tally strengthen connectivity with the health system. This
emergency service providers (see Box 22). is generally the municipal policy area of health, primary
114
Fig. 6. A conceptual model for ICT/AAL applications
Predictive Remote consultation

yst em
Context awareness
t h s
eal
th h
Self-management
i t y wi
i v
Preventive Vital signs
nn ect
nin g co
n g the
Str e
Reactive
Stren
gthen
ing so
Safety/security cial/in
forma
l conn
Social connection ectivi
ty
Civic/social participation
Source: Rodd Bond, personal communication, 2016.

Box 22. Telesupport at home: improving access to services and combating social isolation in
Maltepe municipality, Turkey
To increase access to health care services for older people who live alone in their own homes and to support
those at risk of isolation, Maltepe municipality in Turkey has introduced a telesupport system in the form of a
wireless device with a call button to wear or place in the home. The call button is linked to a call centre run
in partnership with a private provider. Pressing the button connects older people directly to someone they
can talk to. This can be used as emergency call system, but it is also used by older people who miss having
someone to talk to or who have questions about health concerns, for which they can receive basic information
on prevention and healthy living and be referred to services including home care, health and psychological
counselling services.
In the case of emergency, or if the person calling for support does not respond, an alarm is triggered and the
location from which the call was placed is registered and sent to the emergency and ambulance services. This
service is part of a reorganization of community services in Maltepe that was finalized in 2013, with the aim of
increasing quality of life of older people.
This telesupport service is part of a package of home-based care interventions that aim to increase quality of
life, offer support to families and improve access to health care. Services include support for leading healthy
lives for those over the age of 65 years, including dietitian advice and psychological counselling, and are avail-
able free of charge around the clock.
Source: Marmara Ambulans (2013).
and long-term care services. A broad range of technol- A natural extension of these devices is to provide a
ogy area definitions are used along this axis including richer range of services around these regular home- 115
telehealth, eHealth, mHealth, connected health, eCare based data gathering and upload activities to support
and telemedicine. With its more clinical/medical data greater individual empowerment to self-manage health
focus, health professional involvement, public health and well-being. These self-management enhance-
system orientation and procurement models, the area ments involve applications on interactive devices such
of eHealth is sometimes differentiated from ICT/AAL as as iPads and smartphones, which can record addi-
a market segment. From an older person’s perspective, tional qualitative health assessment inputs; locally anal-
however, living at home and using ICT both to interact yse and display trends in symptoms, behaviours and
within the social and environment milieu and to manage condition management knowledge; provide motiva-
health conditions presents significant overlaps in terms tional messages; and channel multimedia educational,
of technology acceptance, usefulness and costs. learning and training material.
The most immediate level along this continuum is Additional sensors to monitor movement, gait, sleep
home-based vital signs monitoring, where older people quality and activity levels are augmenting the range of
use a range of devices to gather personal physiological devices and services now on the market. While some
information about chronic conditions at home. Typical of these additional services have evolved from a health
devices include scales, blood pressure cuffs, heart rate and clinical service perspective (such as sleep quality
monitors, respiratory and breath analysis flow meters monitoring) there is now a growing range of pervasive
and blood glucose-level analysers. At a minimum, health monitoring devices (such as fit-bit wrist bands,
these data are recorded manually and shared with a activity physiology monitoring watches and similar
doctor or nurse at scheduled meetings/visits. More devices). These are directly aimed at the personal con-
automated processes support the transfer of these sumer-oriented health and wellness market and will
data to remote telehealth call services via phone, text increasing become available to older people.
message or Internet services, where they are monitored
and where alarms can be triggered and responses ini- Applications and services further along this axis of
tiated if values transgress thresholds agreed between strengthened connectivity to the health system can be
service recipients and providers. characterized by ICT/AAL that can significantly improve

patient-centred screening and assessment, consulta- conditions. They can encourage and empower preven-
tions and clinical decision-making in terms of diagnos- tive actions, proactively managing risks at home and
tic information quality, timeliness and multidisciplinary reducing pressures on health systems. While there are
team participation. Applications in this area build upon some early commercial implementations of solutions
data gathered through monitoring and call centres but with these ambitions, considerable ongoing research
bring the client into direct online contact with their clin- and innovation activity is continuing into these types
ical team, who may be distributed in multiple locations. of system. Evidence of their efficacy and impact on
health and well-being outcomes is still underdevel-
The green axis is characterized as a continuum where oped, however.
ICT/AAL provides applications and services that are
incrementally more sensitive to and aware of a person’s Emergency planning and disaster
individual, social and environmental context. This axis preparedness
is oriented towards the current and future quality and
ambition of ICT/AAL applications. It is closely linked to Older people are among the most vulnerable groups
innovation and design advances in the components during disasters and conflicts, but their special needs
and systems architecture of ICT/AAL platforms, as well and roles have often not been addressed sufficiently
as the ability of organizations – both individually and by emergency programmes or planners (Hutton, 2008;
operating in cooperative ecosystems – to exploit these WHO, 2015b; Dodman et al., 2012). A number of guid-
advances effectively and ethically. ance documents and case studies have been published
in recent years that propose awareness-raising strate-
This axis has some similarities with the “three gener- gies about older people in disasters and emergencies,
ations” model of telecare systems, where higher gen- analyse factors that affect them and provide exam-
erations involve more advanced systems with larger ples of policies and practices to address vulnerability
amounts of data to support proactive care service inter- and health concerns for older people in emergencies
ventions (Kubtischke & Cullen, 2009). ICT/AAL devel- (Box 23). The need to protect older people in emer-
116 opments along this axis are characterized by their abil- gencies is illustrated by the experience with (natural)
ity to manage risk better in the “orange zone” – where disasters and emergency situations in Europe in recent
older people, carers and health and social care profes- years, which points to gaps in current emergency
sionals can jointly mediate and negotiate risk – through planning at the local level (Vandentorren et al., 2006;
greater insight, awareness and responsiveness. Åstrøm, Forsberg & Rockløv, 2011).
The starting-point of this axis is ICT/AAL systems that Governments in Europe usually have emergency and
are very reactive to events and that trigger alarms and disaster plans in place, with detailed planning for the
emergency responses based on predefined protocols. case of emergencies or (natural) disasters, including at
First and second generation telecare systems are of the regional and local levels. Cities and communities
this type. They are primarily designed to reduce anx- differ in the ways they have adapted them to their local
iety among older people and their carers, and they contexts, however, and in how they pay special atten-
may reduce the use of primary health care services tion to the risks to which vulnerable older people might
(Department of Health, 2009; Beale et al., 2010). be exposed. This has to take into account that some
risks – for example, from extreme weather conditions
Further along this continuum are systems that gather (extreme high or low temperatures) – pose substantially
and analyse additional information in many formats from greater health risks for older people than for the popu-
older people and their surrounding social and physical lation at large.
environments. These data can be stored over time in
order to analyse changes in health status, behaviour A special challenge of emergency situations is how
and levels of activity. Trends can be displayed and to reach out to vulnerable older people who may live
insights into changes can be extracted by looking at alone, without family or community support, and who
patterns in the information over time. are thus more difficult to reach to inform about ade-
quate measures or provide rescue. In this respect a
An objective of these systems is that the additional number of lessons can be learnt from recent emergen-
“contextual data” and feedback that are part of these cies in Europe, with a focus on natural disasters such as
solutions can improve awareness and understanding of earthquakes, flooding and extreme weather conditions

Box 23. Guidance on helping older people in emergencies
Recognition of the importance of planning for disaster preparedness with a special focus on older people is
growing. The topic of older people in emergencies has therefore received increasing attention over the last 10
years, as documented by a number of guides and studies (Hutton, 2008; WHO, 2008; Pan American Health
Organization, 2012; WHO, 2013). WHO’s World report on ageing and health gives a list of topics and exam-
ples for action (WHO 2015b: Table 6.1).
Moreover, HelpAge International has developed a number of guides with a focus on resource-constrained
settings and for humanitarian aid (HelpAge International, 2015). These can also serve as resources for design-
ing emergency plans with the specific vulnerabilities of groups of older people in Europe in mind (see also the
reviews of the Inter-Agency Standing Committee (IASC) Working Group on the inclusion of older people in
humanitarian action) (IASC, 2015).

and the current state of play of contingency plans for
action area and objective
heatwaves and cold weather (see, for example, Kovats
& Ebi, 2006). A final aspect to consider in emergency Table 8 follows the structure of this chapter’s proposed
preparedness is the role older people can play them- directions for interventions and objectives and adds
selves in sharing information in times of emergency. examples from existing age-friendly strategies, action
Again, older people should be seen not only as a vul- plans and case studies. Interventions and initiatives
nerable population but also potentially as contributors mentioned may be projects already implemented in
and helpers in an emergency situation. local contexts or those designed for implementation
in an age-friendly action plan.
117
Table 8. Practice examples for community and health services from local age-friendly action plans
and assessments

Coordination Facilitating access to • Doctors’ referrals to physical or social activities for older
of care and seamless service deliv- people (gentle fitness, walking groups, theatre etc.)
integrated care ery for those in need of • Health and social care workers with the task of improving
provision health, social and long- the integration of health and social care for patients with
term care complex and multiple needs
(cross-cutting with
domain 4: social • Multiservice centres for older people and case workers
that connect the different services available
participation, domain
6: civic engagement • Local information and coordination centres
and employment and
domain 7: communica-
• Developing a local service providers forum to enhance
collaboration between different agencies
tion and information)
Health services, Including prevention • Health checks and effective interventions to control and
including health and health promotion in manage chronic diseases and follow-up care
promotion and health services • Tobacco cessation advice and counselling
prevention • Mental health promotion and memory training in health
services centres and community centres
• Promotion of physical activity in group setting or at home
(cross-cutting with
• Screening and
Information and activities to promote healthy diet
• service campaigns
domain 4: social
vaccination services (e.g. mobile screening
participation)
in neighbourhoods)

Table 8 contd

Home care and Provide home care • Home improvement agencies tasked to provide services
support to infor- services that enable people to remain independent at home as
mal care long as possible
(cross-cutting with
• Improvement of availability and accessibility of in-home
medical and social help
•
domain 4: social par-
Cleaning and personal hygiene services at home
ticipation and domain
6: civic engagement • Food services
• Differential
and employment)
Support to carers and financial aid and support programmes for fami-
families lies with dependent elders
• Family assistance at home: ability to get help with main-
tenance, personal hygiene, household help for the older
person in the family
• Providing day care services
• Online information platforms for carers
• Psychological support services also for carers
• Funeral support services
• Emergency services
• Telephone assistance services
• Temporary loan of technical equipment (walking frames,
wheel chairs etc.)
Residential care Ensure long-term care • Increasing the availability and affordability of sheltered
118 facilities services of good quality housing for those in need
for those in need • Improving and monitoring quality of care
(cross-cutting with
domain 4: social par- • hospital seamless continuum of care after release from
Ensuring a
ticipation and domain
6: civic engagement • Health promotion and prevention services in residential
and employment) care setting
AAL and “ICT for • Remote security alarms
ageing well” • Technological solutions for communication from home to
nurse, doctor or hospital
• Remote sensors of activity
• home project)to develop new services (e.g. Hospital at
Virtual ward
Emergency plan- • Designing protocols and programmes to reach out to vul-

ning and disaster nerable old people in case of an emergency
preparedness • Making emergency plans for extreme weather events and
emergencies
• Monitoring system through a registry of vulnerable and frail
older people
• Ensuring arrangements are in place locally to respond
effectively to infectious outbreaks
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120

122
Glossary and references

Glossary and enabling greater functional ability in someone with
a given level of capacity (WHO, 2015b).
This glossary contains definitions of key terminology
and concepts in active/healthy ageing. The definitions Ageism
are primarily drawn from existing international docu- This refers to stereotyping and discrimination against
ments. They are quoted verbatim from these sources individuals or groups on the basis of their age. Ageism
and detailed references are provided to enable the can take many forms, including prejudicial attitudes,
reader to refer to the complete source document to discriminatory practices or institutional policies and
obtain further information or context. The citation pro- practices that perpetuate stereotypical beliefs (WHO,
vided relates to the source from which the definition 2015b).
was extracted for inclusion in this glossary; it should
be noted that this may not necessarily be the source Ambient assisted living (AAL)
in which the definition was first coined. Where a more This is a combination of intelligent systems of assistive
recent source confirms a prominent earlier one, in some products and services, integrated in the preferred living
cases both have been listed. environment, to constitute “intelligent environments”
to compensate predominantly age-related functional
Accessibility limitations and support an independent, active and
This describes the degree to which an environment, healthy course of life (European Commission, 2013).
service or product allows access by as many people
as possible, in particular people with disabilities (WHO, Assistive technology (or assistive devices)
2011; 2015b). This refers to any device designed, made or adapted
to help a person perform a particular task; products
Accessibility standards may be generally available or specially designed for
A standard is a level of quality accepted as the norm. people with specific losses of capacity. Assistive health
The principle of accessibility may be mandated in law technology is a subset of assistive technologies, the
or treaty, and then specified in detail according to inter- primary purpose of which is to maintain or improve an 123
national or national regulations, standards or codes, individual’s functioning and well-being (WHO, 2015b).
which may be compulsory or voluntary (WHO, 2011).
Communication
Activity limitations This includes languages, display of text, Braille, tactile
In the International Classification of Functioning, communication, large print and accessible multimedia,
Disability and Health, these are the difficulties an indi- as well as written, audio, plain-language, human-reader
vidual may have in executing activities. They may range and augmentative and alternative modes, means and
from a slight to a severe deviation in terms of quality formats of communication, including accessible ICT
or quantity in executing the activity in a manner or to (United Nations, 2006).
the extent that is expected of people without the health
condition (WHO, 2011). Determinants of health
These are the conditions in which people are born,
Active ageing grow, live, work and age, including the health system.
This is the process of optimizing opportunities for The circumstances are shaped by the distribution of
health, participation and security in order to enhance money, power and resources at global, national and
quality of life as people age WHO (2002b; 2015b). local levels, which are themselves influenced by pol-
icy choices. The social determinants of health are
Age-friendly cities and communities mostly responsible for health inequities – the unfair and
These are cities or communities that foster healthy and avoidable differences in health status seen within and
active ageing (WHO, 2015b). between countries (WHO Regional Office for Europe,
2013a).
Age-friendly environments
These are environments (such as in the home or com- Digital divide
munity) that foster healthy and active ageing by building This refers to the gap between individuals, households,
and maintaining intrinsic capacity across the life-course businesses and geographical areas at different socio-
economic levels with regard to both their opportunities

to access information and communication technolo- Institutional care setting
gies and their use of the Internet for a wide variety of This refers to institutions in which long-term care is
activities (WHO, 2011). provided. These may include community centres,
assisted living facilities, nursing homes, hospitals and
Disability other health facilities; institutional care settings are not
This is an umbrella term for impairments, activity limita- defined only by their size (WHO, 2015b).
tions and participation restrictions, denoting the neg-
ative aspects of the interaction between an individual International Classification of Functioning,
(with a health condition) and that individual’s contextual Disability and Health (ICF)
factors (environmental and personal factors) (WHO, This is the classification that provides a unified and
2001; WHO, 2015b). standard language and framework for the description
of health and health-related states. ICF is part of the
Functional ability “family” of inter
national classifications developed by
This refers to the health-related attributes that enable WHO (WHO, 2001).
people to be and to do what they have reason to value.
It is made up of the intrinsic capacity of the individual, Life-course approach
relevant environmental characteristics and the interac- This suggests that the health outcomes of individuals
tions between the individual and these characteristics and the community depend on the interaction of mul-
(WHO, 2015b). tiple protective and risk factors throughout people’s
lives. The life-course approach provides a more com-
Functioning prehensive vision of health and its determinants and a
This is an umbrella term for body functions, body struc- focus on interventions in each stage of their lives (WHO
tures, activities and participation. It denotes the pos- Regional Office for Europe, 2013a).
itive aspects of the interaction between an individual
(with a health condition) and that individual’s contextual Long-term care
124 factors (WHO, 2001, WHO, 2015b). This consists of a range of medical and personal care
services that are consumed with the primary goal of
Health literacy alleviating pain and suffering and reducing or manag-
This refers to the cognitive and social skills that deter- ing the deterioration in health status in patients with
mine the motivation and ability of individuals to gain a degree of long-term dependency (OECD, 2011). It
access to, understand and use information in ways refers to the activities undertaken by others to ensure
that promote and maintain good health (WHO Regional that people with a significant ongoing loss of intrinsic
Office for Europe, 2013a). capacity can maintain a level of functional ability con-
sistent with their basic rights, fundamental freedoms
Health equity and human dignity (WHO, 2015b).
Equity is the absence of avoidable, unfair or remedia-
ble differences among groups of people, whether those Quality of life
groups are defined socially, economically, demograph- This is individuals’ perceptions of their position in life
ically or geographically. “Health equity” or “equity in in the context of the culture and value system in which
health” implies that ideally everyone should have a fair they live, and in relation to their goals, expectations,
opportunity to attain their full health potential and, more standards and concerns. It is a broad-ranging con-
pragmatically, that no one should be disadvantaged cept, incorporating in a complex way a person’s phys-
from achieving this potential (WHO Regional Office for ical health, psychological state, level of independence,
Europe, 2013a). social relationships, personal beliefs and relationship
to salient features in the environment. As people age,
Healthy ageing their quality of life is largely determined by their ability to
This is the process of developing and maintaining the maintain autonomy and independence (WHO, 2002b).
functional ability that enables well-being in older age Supportive environments for health
(WHO, 2015b). These offer protection from threats to health and
Informal care enable people to expand their capabilities and develop
This refers to unpaid care provided by a family member, self-reliance in health. They encompass where people
friend, neighbour or volunteer (WHO, 2015b). live, their local community, their home and where they

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146

The WHO Regional Office for Europe
The World Health Organization (WHO) is a specialized

agency of the United Nations created in 1948 with the
primary responsibility for international health matters
and public health. The WHO Regional Office for Europe
is one of six regional offices throughout the world,
each with its own programme geared to the particular
health conditions of the countries it serves.
Member States
Albania
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Republic of Macedonia
Turkey
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United Kingdom World Health Organization Regional Office for Europe
Uzbekistan UN City, Marmorvej 51, DK-2100 Copenhagen Ø, Denmark
Tel.: +45 45 33 70 00 Fax: +45 45 33 70 01
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.euro.who.int

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PHYSICAL

Age-friendly environments in Europe

ISBN 978 92 890 5288 7

© World Health Organization 2017

Domain 1: outdoor environments................................................................................................ 14

Domain 2: transport and mobility................................................................................................ 26

Domain 4: social participation...................................................................................................... 54

Domain 5: social inclusion and non-discrimination................................................................... 68

Domain 6: civic engagement and employment.......................................................................... 84

Domain 7: communication and information................................................................................ 96

Domain 8: community and health services............................................................................... 108

Glossary and references............................................................................................................. 122

Age-friendly environments in Europe. A handbook of domains for policy action

highest median age in the world. People in many M

expectancies in the world… However, trends in

longevity gains are uneven, and gaps between and

within countries of the European Region continue to

vides guidance on the policy process and management i c at l

cycle of putting in place and sustaining age-friendly Civ em n

action (WHO Regional Office for Europe, 2016a). A

complementary paper sets out how local governments

Age-friendly environments in Europe. A handbook of domains for policy action

• engage with older people and other stakeholders across sectors;

Environments (AFE-INNOVNET) has spurred this • toareas

Age-friendly environments in Europe. A handbook of domains for policy action

Fig. 2. Pathways to health and well-being for older people

c. Attributes and qualities

e. Health status f. Well-being

Source: WHO (2015b).

Age-friendly environments in Europe. A handbook of domains for policy action

Age-friendly environments in Europe. A handbook of domains for policy action

Behavioural risk factors

Environmental risk factors Biological risk factors

Socioeconomic risk factors

Source: WHO (2007b).

Age-friendly environments in Europe. A handbook of domains for policy action

Age-friendly environments in Europe. A handbook of domains for policy action

Change of population, all ages, 2000–2015

Age-friendly environments in Europe. A handbook of domains for policy action

Barrier-free public spaces and buildings

Age-friendly environments in Europe. A handbook of domains for policy action

Older people with dementia tend to prefer:

• mixed-use, compact local neighbourhoods;

Age-friendly environments in Europe. A handbook of domains for policy action

Age-friendly environments in Europe. A handbook of domains for policy action

Action area Objective Examples of policy interventions and initiatives

Age-friendly environments in Europe. A handbook of domains for policy action

Action area Objective Examples of policy interventions and initiatives

Action area Objective Examples of policy interventions and initiatives

Age-friendly environments in Europe. A handbook of domains for policy action

Age-friendly environments in Europe. A handbook of domains for policy action

Transport and mobility

Age-friendly environments in Europe. A handbook of domains for policy action

Transport and mobility

Box 5. Perspectives from the public transport sector

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

fully implemented partly implemented planned not considered no answer

Source: Fiedler (2007).

Age-friendly environments in Europe. A handbook of domains for policy action