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Is Your City Age-Friendly?

BY: | Nation | August 31, 2012



 

Explore the topic of aging in America through in-depth stories, data and interactive content at governing.com/generations.

What features are essential for an age-friendly community? The World Health Organization studied 33 cities in 22 countries across the globe, and it published a checklist of the elements a city needs in order to be a place where residents can age comfortably. The full checklist appears below.

Outdoor spaces and buildings

Public areas are clean and pleasant.
Green spaces and outdoor seating are sufficient in number, well-maintained and safe.
Pavements are well-maintained, free of obstructions and reserved for pedestrians.

Pavements are non-slip, are wide enough for wheelchairs and have dropped curbs to road level.

Pedestrian crossings are suffi cient in number and safe for people with different levels and types of disability, with non-slip markings, visual and audio cues and adequate crossing times.
Drivers give way to pedestrians at intersections and pedestrian crossings.
Cycle paths are separate from pavements and other pedestrian walkways.
Outdoor safety is promoted by good street lighting, police patrols and community education.
Services are situated together and are accessible.
Special customer service arrangements are provided, such as separate queues or service counters for older people.
Buildings are well-signed outside and inside, with sufficient seating and toilets, accessible elevators, ramps, railings and stairs, and non-slip floors.
Public toilets outdoors and indoors are sufficient in number, clean, well-maintained and accessible.

Transportation

Public transportation costs are consistent, clearly displayed and affordable.
Public transportation is reliable and frequent, including at night and on weekends and holidays.
All city areas and services are accessible by public transport, with good connections and well-marked routes and vehicles.
Vehicles are clean, well-maintained, accessible, not overcrowded and have priority seating that is respected.
Specialized transportation is available for disabled people.
Drivers stop at designated stops and beside the curb to facilitate boarding and wait for passengers to be seated before driving off.
Transport stops and stations are conveniently located, accessible, safe, clean, well-lit and well-marked, with adequate seating and shelter.
Complete and accessible information is provided to users about routes, schedules and special needs facilities.
A voluntary transport service is available where public transportation is too limited.
Taxis are accessible and affordable, and drivers are courteous and helpful.
Roads are well-maintained, with covered drains and good lighting.
Traffic flow is well-regulated.
Roadways are free of obstructions that block drivers’ vision.
Traffic signs and intersections are visible and well-placed.
Driver education and refresher courses are promoted for all drivers.
Parking and drop-off areas are safe, sufficient in number and conveniently located.
Priority parking and drop-off spots for people with special needs are available and respected.

Housing

Sufficient, affordable housing is available in areas that are safe and close to services and the rest of the community.
Sufficient and affordable home maintenance and support services are available.
Housing is well-constructed and provides safe and comfortable shelter from the weather.
Interior spaces and level surfaces allow freedom of movement in all rooms and passageways.
Home modification options and supplies are available and affordable, and providers understand the needs of older people.
Public and commercial rental housing is clean, well-maintained and safe.
Sufficient and affordable housing for frail and disabled older people, with appropriate services, is provided locally.

Social participation  

Venues for events and activities are conveniently located, accessible, well-lit and easily reached by public transport.
Events are held at times convenient for older people.
Activities and events can be attended alone or with a companion.
Activities and attractions are affordable, with no hidden or additional participation costs.
Good information about activities and events is provided, including details about accessibility of facilities and transportation options for older people.
A wide variety of activities is offered to appeal to a diverse population of older people.
Gatherings including older people are held in various local community spots, such as recreation centres, schools, libraries, community centres and parks.
There is consistent outreach to include people at risk of social isolation.

Respect and social inclusion

Older people are regularly consulted by public, voluntary and commercial services on how to serve them better.
Services and products to suit varying needs and preferences are provided by public and commercial services.
Service staff are courteous and helpful.
Older people are visible in the media, and are depicted positively and without stereotyping.
Community-wide settings, activities and events attract all generations by accommodating age-specific needs and preferences.
Older people are specifically included in community activities for “families.”
Schools provide opportunities to learn about ageing and older people, and involve older people in school activities.
Older people are recognized by the community for their past as well as their present contributions.
Older people who are less well-off have good access to public, voluntary and private services.

Civic participation and employment

A range of flexible options for older volunteers is available, with training, recognition, guidance and compensation for personal costs.
The qualities of older employees are well-promoted.
A range of flexible and appropriately paid opportunities for older people to work is promoted.
Discrimination on the basis of age alone is forbidden in the hiring, retention, promotion and training of employees.
Workplaces are adapted to meet the needs of disabled people.
Self-employment options for older people are promoted and supported.
Training in post-retirement options is provided for older workers.
Decision-making bodies in public, private and voluntary sectors encourage and facilitate membership of older people.

Communication and information

A basic, effective communication system reaches community residents of all ages.
Regular and widespread distribution of information is assured and a coordinated, centralized access is provided.
Regular information and broadcasts of interest to older people are offered.
Oral communication accessible to older people is promoted.
People at risk of social isolation get one-to one information from trusted individuals.
Public and commercial services provide friendly, person-to-person service on request.
Printed information -- including official forms, television captions and text on visual displays --has large lettering and the main ideas are shown by clear headings and bold-face type.
Print and spoken communication uses simple, familiar words in short, straightforward sentences.
Telephone answering services give instructions slowly and clearly and tell callers how to repeat the message at any time.
Electronic equipment, such as mobile telephones, radios, televisions, and bank and ticket machines, has large buttons and big lettering.
There is wide public access to computers and the Internet, at no or minimal charge, in public places such as government offices, community centres and libraries.

 Community and health services

An adequate range of health and community support services is offered for promoting, maintaining and restoring health.
Home care services include health and personal care and housekeeping.
Health and social services are conveniently located and accessible by all means of transport.
Residential care facilities and designated older people’s housing are located close to services and the rest of the community.
Health and community service facilities are safely constructed and fully accessible.
Clear and accessible information is provided about health and social services for older people.
Delivery of services is coordinated and administratively simple.
All staff are respectful, helpful and trained to serve older people.
Economic barriers impeding access to health and community support services are minimized.
Voluntary services by people of all ages are encouraged and supported.
There are sufficient and accessible burial sites.
Community emergency planning takes into account the vulnerabilities and capacities of older people.

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