The IFA and the WHO Division of Healthier Populations were pleased to host the latest in a series of webinars connecting knowledge, new ideas and innovation around age-friendly environments (AFE).
The webinar The Boom of Age-Friendly Cities and Communities in the LAC Region will be presented by
Mrs Vanessa Victoria, External Relations Consultant
Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization (PAHO/WHO)
The concept of Age-friendly environments is not a novelty in the LAC Region. In fact, the Americas have become the fastest growing region within WHO's Global Network for Age-Friendly Cities and Communities (GNAFCC) and is quickly becoming one of the leading regions in empowering cities and communities through a multi-sectorial and intersectoral approach to ensure better places for all age groups in which to grow, live, work, play and age.
This webinar will include an overview of:
- The What, Where, and Who of the GNAFCC.
- The evolution and growth in the adoption of age-friendly cities and communities in the Americas Region in the last couple years.
- Case studies/examples from countries in LAC in their experience of adopting age-friendly initiatives (their experiences, challenges, outcomes, insights).
- Snapshot of the Lessons Learned of Age-Friendly Cities and Communities in the Region during the COVID-19 pandemic and key messages learned.
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Where are we now and where are we heading? The regional activities and initiatives led by the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) in the Region
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Missed a webinar in the WHO/IFA webinar series? Find all recordings at the link below. |
"Aged to Perfection/Old Enough to Know Better" is a 30 minute program airs once a month on CJSW Radio 90.9 in Calgary, Canada on the 4th Monday of each month at 11:30am and 8:30pm MST.
It can also be listened to at any time on Apple Podcasts.
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WHOs Age-friendly Cities and Communities Program is rapidly growing around the world and the 15th Global Conference on Ageing will be a point of connection of learning and exchanging of cultures, generations, and places. |
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The Age-Friendly Communities Summit is an event designed to showcase the importance of the development and adaption of environments resilient to the needs of people at all stages of life, inclusive of older people, which will allow sustainable social and economic advancement for cities, communities, and the global community. |
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Four action areas of The Decade of Healthy Ageing 2020-2030: ageism, age-friendly cities and communities, primary health care, and long-term care alongside older people and pandemics constitute the structural pillars of the IFA Global Conference. Submit an abstract now to the Age-friendly cities and communities under one of three subthemes.
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Adult Vaccination Mentorship Program at IFA Project ECHO
IFA is proud to announce the first ever Project ECHO Adult Vaccination mentorship program. This multi-session learning cycle will help improve skills to educate, promote and talk about adult immunization, through the lens of prevention, access and equity, with the end goal of improving adult vaccination uptake rates.
This safe environment creates the opportunity to share knowledge and be part of an online learning community through guided practice, peer learning and collaborative problem solving. The program seeks to build the capacity and capability of patient and ageing organizations as champions of adult immunization.
IFA is interested in understanding which topics would best respond to gaps in knowledge and practice in your organization, needed to prioritize adult vaccination. IFA invites your participation in a short survey on proposed session topics.
To express interest in the program, register here or for more information, please contact Ms. Katrina Bouzanis, Project Officer (kbouzanis@ifa.ngo).
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The Platform: A New Collaborative Space for Knowledge on Ageing
The UN Decade of Healthy Ageing (2021-2030) was welcomed by the UN General Assembly on 14 December 2020 as a global collaboration that aims to improve the lives of older people, their families, and the communities in which they live.
However, catalysing this collaboration and generating change will only be possible if:
- we can make visible and mobilise a fuller range of stakeholders across sectors and regions;
- we have broad access to ways of forging new connections and engagements with each other; and
- we can access, share, and produce the wide diversity of knowledge that we each need in our work to generate the impact envisioned by the Decade.
The Decade Platform is designed to support the Decade’s implementation by faciliating all three requirements as inclusively and equitably as possible. The Platform is a digital space built to help Decade stakeholders access and exchange diverse knowledge and expertise with the global community towards creating a world for all ages:
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For example, do you have a personal story about your experiences of ageing that you would like to share? Or, are you looking for organizations and people working on a particular topic but don’t quite know where to find them? The Platform is a one-stop-shop for knowledge and connectivity that can support you do all these and more. It will also continue to be developed over the Decade in response to stakeholder needs and contexts.
The first version of the Platform is now available for public access – we’re excited for you to join us and let us know what you think!
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EngAGED Communities | Community of Innovation Podcast, Episode 20
On this episode of CABHI’s Community of Innovation podcast, our guests Dr. Jane Barratt (Secretary General, International Federation on Ageing) and Marcia Weisbrot (Art Therapist and Educator at City College of San Francisco) challenge us to think of age-friendly communities as more than a physical space.
We’ll learn that age-friendly communities are environments where residents, especially older adults, are equipped to thrive. As Dr. Barratt puts it, “It’s not what age-friendly communities look like, but what they feel like.” A member of the San Francisco Village, a thriving community organization led by older adults, Marcia Weisbrot shares how age-friendly spaces can combat ageism by bringing everyone together in meaningful ways.
Together with hosts Drs. Allison Sekuler and Rosanne Aleong, our guests shed light on what it really means to build communities that support intergenerational learning, independence, and inclusivity. Throughout this conversation we also explore the role of technology and innovation in building age-friendly communities and how these tools can enhance accessibility for residents of all ages.
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Age-Friendly and the Built Environment |
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Enabling Design: The Missing Paradigm for Truly Age-Friendly Built Environments
Submitted By: Esther Greenhouse, M.S., CAPS
Increasing awareness of the role of the built environment on the well-being of older adults has led to programs for aging-in-place home modifications and built environment domains as part of the Age-Friendly framework. While these are positive steps forward there is a key missing paradigm that could have significant benefits to individuals and societies: Enabling Design.
The Enabling Design Paradigm was created as a response to:
- the aging of the population
- inappropriate design typologies
- the conflation of Universal Design with disability and frailty
- lack of knowledge of the true impact and costs of the status quo of the built environment
The key components of the Enabling Design approach are:
Theory
Environmental Fit & Press*: there is an optimal fit between a person and the Built Environment:
Good Fit = high functioning + independences
Poor Fit = struggle to adapt + forced frailty + dependence
Fact
The Status Quo is Dis-Abling + Discriminatory. Data and conventions have created built environments optimally designed for the average height male with high physical, cognitive, and sensory abilities requiring everyone else to adapt. As we age this can create forced frailty, functional eviction from one’s home, unnecessary expenditures, and impoverishment.
Solution
The Enabling Design Paradigm is a solution considering design, economics, policy, urban planning, and societal trends. It does not require radical changes in our built environments but an accurate understanding of the discriminatory and costly impacts of the status quo to create small, but significant changes in features, approaches, and policies. Zero-step entrances and a bathroom and bedroom on the ground floor of a home can enable independence, minimize caregiving demands, delay and/or prevent institutionalization, and preserve assets. Enabling Design is a vehicle for physical and financial independence as we age. Most importantly, it enables people to age with dignity and quality of life.
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Pedestrian Safety Audits for Age-Friendly Barrier–Free Light Rail Transit in Ottawa
Submitted by: Diane Breton and John Woodhouse, The Council on Aging of Ottawa’s Pedestrian Safety & Accessibility Committee
In the fall of 2019, Ottawa was ready to open the Confederation Line, Phase 1 of its new light rail system (LRT) replacing bus service through the centre of the city, connecting 13 new stations from the west to the east of the city.
The city accepted a request from The Council on Aging of Ottawa’s Pedestrian Safety & Accessibility Committee to audit three of the stations, in advance of the official opening. Their concern was especially for the safety and accessibility of seniors and those using mobility aids, from entry to the stations to finding their way easily on and off the trains.
A simple audit involving Yes or No questions was designed using age-friendly criteria. The audit was successfully carried out by committee members and staff from the City of Ottawa’s Transportation Services Department. A report of the findings commenting on the many safety and accessibility design features of the stations and trains, as well as priority recommendations involved increasing station interior and exterior way-finding signage, monitoring safety of train door closing timing, larger font on locator maps, more benches, clear information about AED – defibrillator locations and where to find help was sent to the city. Response from the city was positive and promised consideration of these recommendations.
After some early technical problems, the Confederation Line is running smoothly into its second year. The city is now into the middle stage of construction of Phase 2 of Ottawa’s LRT system, scheduled to open in 2024. It’s a larger project with 24 stations and connections to many parts of the city. Public consultation is online due to the pandemic with concerns being raised about connectivity. An age-friendly barrier-free, safe and accessible LRT will need future age-friendly audits and oversight.
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The Road to Age-Friendly Communities in Newfoundland and Labrador
Submitted By: Leo Bonnell, Vice-Chair Random Age-Friendly Communities Board
This article comes to you from Clarenville, NL, now considered the birthplace of the Age-Friendly Communities movement in the province of Newfoundland and Labrador.
In 2006, Canada’s Federal/Provincial/Territorial Ministers Responsible for Seniors endorsed the Age-Friendly Rural/Remote Communities Initiative. The Initiative had two main objectives: 1. to increase awareness of what seniors need to maintain active, healthy and productive lives within their communities by identifying key indicators of this need. 2. to produce a practical Guide that rural and remote communities across Canada could use to identify common barriers/challenges, to foster dialogue with community leaders and develop an action plan that supports the development and sustainability of age-friendly communities.
In 2007, the Town of Clarenville was awarded one of 10 pilot projects in Canada to develop an age-friendly model and best practices that could be used as a framework by other similar-size communities throughout the country.
The population of the town is approximately 6,500, but considered an urban centre and a hub for some 30 communities that feed into Clarenville daily for services not usually available in smaller rural communities. All major services such as a regional hospital, medical clinics, financial services, three shopping centres, affordable seniors’ housing and much more are readily available. The Town boasts of many unique features--boating, a ski resort, two golf courses, summer and winter recreation and close to two airports. Town officials were eager to support the pilot project initiative and were ready to explore the “age-friendly” concept, not only as the potential to better serve a growing older population, but to attract new residents to the community.
A Committee of community leaders that was formed at the beginning to lead the project later evolved into a board, now known as Random Age-Friendly Communities Board. Members come from a variety of backgrounds and experience acquired during their respective working careers.
The AFC project is now in its 14th year of operation contributing to make Clarenville an “age-friendly” town. Some of the direct contributions are: Enhanced street signage and sideways; an annual Age-Friendly Seniors’ Fair to bring seniors together with vendors of seniors’ products and services; Computer for Seniors education in partnership with the College of the North Atlantic--239 seniors graduated from the program; an Age-Friendly Park and Gardens;- the Park with walking trails, is located adjacent to seniors’ retirement housing area and the regional high school, allowing for students and seniors to engage in conversation during lunch breaks at the gazebo built by apprentice carpenters at the community college of trades. Another popular age-friendly program created is a Seniors’ drop-in centre. Older adults can gather at the centre for social events, receive presentations on a variety of topics such as elder abuse, seniors’ financial literacy etc. physical activities and engage with each other on healthy-aging conversations. The meeting space is provided free of cost by the Town.
Now, during Covid times these connections are sadly missed by the region’s older adults and their family members, who have often reported that their parents /grandparents’ mental well-being became greatly improved because of these social activities. They looked forward to their weekly get-together, which is being led by a retired social worker and a member of the Board. All Board members are volunteers. One of the Board’s major initiatives is CREST (Clarenville Region Extended Seniors’ Transportation), an Age-Friendly bus service for seniors age 60 years and older. Throughout its seven years of operation, the service has provided 16,000 rides for seniors to attend medical and other appointments, go shopping; go to the bank; outings or visit friends, etc.--all for a fee of just $2.00 each way. The service is made possible through community partners and some 80+ volunteers of drivers, assistants, and booking staff who have contributed nearly 69,000 volunteer hours.
Random Age-Friendly Communities Board continues to lead the way in the Age-Friendly Communities movement in the province by assisting and mentoring other communities on their journey to becoming “age-friendly”.
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New Book on Ageing in Place in the Western Asia-Pacific
Submitted By: Bruce Judd, Emeritus Professor, City Futures Research Centre, University of New South Wales
Edward Elgar Publishing have recently released a new book entitled ‘Ageing in Place: Design, Planning and Policy in the Western Asia-Pacific. Published in late 2020, it is edited by Emeritus Professor Bruce Judd of the City Futures Research Centre (CFRC) at the University of New South Wales, Australia; Professor Kenichi Tanoue of the Faculty of Design at Kyushu University in Fukuoka, Japan; and Dr Edgar Liu a Senior Research Fellow also of the CFRC. It includes sixteen chapters by researchers from China (PRC, Hongkong and Taiwan), Japan, Australia and New Zealand and focusses on the built environment responses in this diverse and dynamic region from the micro (room and dwelling design) to the macro (urban and national) level on the important challenges of dealing with ageing populations through ageing in place policies and practice. It is an important contribution to the literature on the international shifts from reliance on family and institutional care to maintaining older people in their own homes and communities for as long as possible with its potential benefits in health and wellbeing. It emphasises the critical role of the built environment at all scales in such transition.
An endorsement by Ann Forsyth, Ruth and Frank Stanton Professor of Urban Planning and Director of the Master in Urban Planning Program at Harvard University states: “Tackling an important and growing challenge for countries throughout the world Ageing in Place provides a much-needed multi-country dialogue on ageing with dignity. Chapters grounded in empirical work and project examples investigate how China, Japan, Australia, and New Zealand are addressing the crucial connections between older people, their homes, and quality of life. This is a valuable and timely book.”
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The Abbeyfield House is Moving Forward
Submitted By: Amber Colibaba, Coordinator, Trent Centre for Aging & Society, Rural Aging Research Program, Trent University
The Abbeyfield House Society of Lakefield (AHSL) has acquired a 4-acre property in the village of Lakefield, Ontario, and is moving forward with plans to build an Abbeyfield house for 10-16 independent seniors. The project started nearly six years ago when founding President Dewi Jones learned of Abbeyfield houses in the UK when his sister in their native Wales was at the point of making the transition from living alone.
Dewi has recently adopted an emeritus role (his next birthday will see him turn 90!) and Ron Black now leads AHSL. The board of eight community members includes people with expertise in local politics, the media, finance, education, architecture and design, and real estate. AHSL is currently working with the local municipality and its own planners, as well as conservation and indigenous peoples’ authorities, to formulate a plan for the development of the property.
Preliminary plans for the house show a two-story building with the main floor at ground level and an elevator for access to the upper floor. In keeping with the Abbeyfield model, the house will consist of resident rooms with their own baths and a common area for dining and recreation. The entire building will be accessible, with two or more suites designated for residents with mobility issues. Outside, there will be a large parking lot to accommodate residents’ and visitors’ vehicles, and abundant room for gardens and other areas to enjoy. One on-site staff member will handle communal meals and otherwise manage the building. Services including shops, banks, medical facilities, and a post office are within manageable walking distance. It is hoped that the house will be ready for occupancy in about two years. Follow Abbeyfield House Society of Lakefield on the internet or social media for more information.
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Age-Friendly and the Built Environment
The rapid increase of ageing populations around the whole world is presenting various challenges for societies, families and individuals in many ways. One of the challenges is the Built Environment, which although essential for all individuals, at all ages, is crucially important for older adults. As people age, challenges increase mainly due to non-communicable diseases in addition to the ageing process.
The built environment encompasses buildings, parks and open spaces, transport systems, health and healthcare services, communication services, fitness centres, walking paths, supermarkets and shopping malls, community social centres and neighhoods, which are essential for people of all ages.
Age-friendly communities with appropriate housing, transport, physical structures and social and civic frameworks can go a long way to enabling people to maintain participation in their communities, regardless of age. This is possible through planning, designing and adapting physical and social infrastructures as needs arise. There is therefore an urgent need to speed up research on Age-friendly Cities and Communities to promote good practices in the context of the built environment.
To enable people to live and age in their homes and maintain their independence, relations and connections with their local communities; policies, programs and resources must be put in place to facilitate continual adaptation of environments to meet the changing needs of an ageing population.
Although in Africa, most people usually live and age in the rural areas and are taken care of by their children and relatives, the movement of children to urban areas in search of employment is becoming an increasing challenge. Thus, the need to create Age-friendly Communities in Africa to counter this upcoming problem is urgent and essential.
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Homes4Life Vision for 2040
Submitted By: Hervé Duret, Responsable Domaine Qualité des cadres de vie, Direction Technique & Innovation
Imagine a society where your house is truly your home. A supportive, enabling environment that helps you realize your full personal and social potential. Imagine a society where houses are within reach for Europeans of all ages, regardless of income, gender, race or ethnic background, sexual orientation, health status, or disability. This is the Homes4Life Vision for 2040, which underpins a new European Certification Scheme for Ageing in Place.
Housing is relevant for all citizens as it impacts on our health and wellbeing, our social interactions and capacity to participate in community life, and it has to evolve to be able to adapt to our changing needs and situations as we grow older. The Homes4Life Certification Scheme implements an analysis of buildings according to an evaluation framework designed around 6 strategic clusters: Personal, Social, Economic, Physical, Outdoor Access and Management.
The Homes4Life certification scheme has already been tested on 11 pilot buildings across Europe, both in Design and Operational phase; in France in Nice, Dijon, and Busy; in Spain in Meruelo, and Bilbao; in Poland in Warsaw and Lodz; in Italy in Treviso; in Dublin, Ireland and in Weesp, the Netherlands.
Do you also want your building to be recognised as age-friendly housing supporting health and well-being? Do you want to invest with confidence into a certified age-friendly home? Are you interested to work with us to manage and deliver the Homes4Life certification? Then contact us herve.duret@certivea.fr
The Homes4Life project was run by a multidisciplinary group of 9 partners from 5 EU countries: Spain, Belgium, France, Italy and the Netherlands. It has received funding from the Horizon 2020 programme
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Relationship-Building, Strategic Assistance and Partnerships at the Local Level: Creating Age-Friendly Communities
Submitted By: Tanya Rohrbach, CFM, Community Planning Manager
In response to the growing needs of older adult populations, New Jersey Future’s community guide is helping towns and cities optimize the built environment to enhance the accessibility and affordability of their communities. No aging-friendly community is complete without the implementation of compact, mixed-use development and the cultivation of walkable centers. These elements, combined with the integration of public green spaces, allow for safe, efficient movement in communities that support inhabitants’ physical and mental health. Aging- friendly community members also benefit from a variety of housing options, such as shared- housing arrangements and accessory dwelling units, which accommodate the unique circumstances and budget constraints experienced by many older adults.
Capitalizing on the built environment’s potential impact requires an approach that leverages the resources and cooperation of local governments, while maintaining the core principles of participatory planning and grass-roots organizing. Such an approach will mutually benefit community groups, local officials, and—most importantly—older adult populations. Community stakeholders and local governments can collaborate and engage in each step of the community-building process. Indeed, local governments are community stakeholders, themselves. As residents, local officials will also benefit from the development of sustainable aging-friendly communities. We, as community planners and organizers, must utilize all available partnerships in order to make our cities and towns more accessible to all.
Ongoing cooperation between community members and local officials in the Borough of Pompton Lakes demonstrates the effectiveness of this synergy. Senior groups collaborated with the borough’s local government to develop an aging-friendly land-use assessment prepared by New Jersey Future. Pompton Lakes contains a compact, walkable downtown, as well as opportunities for the development of a diversity of housing options. This borough, along with other New Jersey communities actively engaged in aging-friendly community building, can serve as models for implementation in other locations.
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Urbanage: Enhanced Urban Planning for Age-Friendly Cities Through Disruptive Technologies
Submitted By: Silvia Urra Uriarte, Building and City, Building Technologies Division, TECNALIA
Adapting urban environments to current challenges requires a multidisciplinary understanding of interrelated and complex phenomena. In the context of digital-era massive data production and enhanced analytical capacities, there is still enormous untapped potential in the use of disruptive technologies to support evidence-based decision-making processes in the field of urban planning. Moreover, the impact that such technologies may have in the current urban planning practice is yet to be assessed.
Urban planning decision-making involves multiple stakeholders in complex governance settings. Such decisions should be evidence-based, and their results continuously evaluated to correct unwanted impacts, but this is not yet the prevalent paradigm.
Using disruptive technologies in the urban planning decision-making process bears the risk of excluding some parts of the population; in particular, older adults, who can be, in general, less digitally literate and some of whom might show distrust of decisions and engagement based on technology. At the same time, European cities are facing the challenge of adapting to an increasingly aging population, so it is crucial to engage this part of the population in decision making processes.
In this context, URBANAGE aims at assessing the potential benefits, risks and impact of implementing a long-term sustainable framework for data-driven decision-making in the field of urban planning for aging well in cities. This model will be developed through an inclusive co-creation strategy with relevant stakeholders (public servants) and users (older adults) and based on a decision-support Ecosystem that integrates multidimensional Big Data analysis; modelling and simulation with Artificial Intelligence algorithms, visualization through Urban Digital twins and gamification for enhanced engagement purposes. Based on a thorough understanding of users’ needs, it will be validated by piloting use-cases in three local planning systems in Europe (Helsinki, Santander and Flanders).
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Designing For Aging In Place
Submitted By: Susan Williams, Founder, Booming Encore
The majority of people are hoping to age in their own homes but in order to do this successfully some changes will likely be necessary. As much as people need a financial plan to support them in retirement, they also need to ensure they have a home environment that will support them too. Aging in place planning is not something meant for older people. It really should be considered by those in their 50's and 60's while they are still working and incorporated as part of their whole retirement planning exercise. In this interview, Booming Encore’s Founder, Susan Williams speaks with aging in place expert Scott Fulton who highlights some things for people to consider doing to their home before they actually need it so they will be able to successfully age in place.
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Assistive Technology – A Must for Care Environments
Submitted By: Orquidea Tamayo Mortera, Programme Lead, Diversional Therapy, Summerset Group Holdings Limited
The name Inmu stands for ‘interactive music’. Inmu is a mobile therapy tool of a very special kind. It is disguised as a cushion and responds to the individual needs of people. It uses multi-sensory stimulation based on Artificial Intelligence technology. It unfolds an interactive music universe of wellbeing, joy, and social contact – in co-creation with people's movements. It translates touch and movement into soft vibration and tactile stimulation – a key to improving the wellbeing of older people.
Inmu touch has demonstrated greater benefits regarding people’s quality of life. Areas that have been researched and where people are more likely to benefit include: Cognitive Impairment, Dementia – Early, intermediate, advance (e.g. Alzheimer's), Trauma, Insomnia or sleep disorders, Stress, Phobia related to appointments (e.g. GP, Dentist), Brain Injury / Neurological Rehabilitation), Mental Health, Depression, Loneliness, Social Isolation, Social Anxiety/Anxiety Disorders and many more. Research shows that Inmu helps to reduce agitated behavior, anxiety, apathy, and depression, as well as raising cognitive and social skills and willingness to cooperate and share with others – especially when used in multidisciplinary and/or interdisciplinary contexts in relation to care situations or other forms of activities or treatments.
Summerset Retirement Villages in Auckland, New Zealand ensures that every Care Home in which older citizens live has an Inmu available to be used. They understand the importance of this unique technology for current environments to enhance people’s quality of life.
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Dreamlike Neighbourhood: An Erasmus+ project supports older people in connecting in their communities
Submitted By: Ilenia Gheno, Research Project Manager, AGE Platform Europe
The Erasmus+ project Dreamlike Neighbourhood, wants to draw attention to the positive effect of supportive neighbourhoods and encourage togetherness in neighbourhoods. As numerous studies show, older people in particular benefit from local non-family networks with friends and neighbours. They help to improve the quality of life of older people, stay healthy, fight loneliness and live longer.
The main idea is to facilitate neighbourhood groups, where older people can meet regularly and support each other in (re-)detecting and bringing in their talents, fulfilling their dreams, facing challenges of everyday life and finding ways to actively contribute to their communities. Five Partner organisations (Queraum, cultural and social research, Austria; Slovenian Third Age University, Slovenia; Letokruh, z.ú., Czech Republic; AFEdemy, Academy on age-friendly environments in Europe BV, The Netherlands; AGE Platform Europe, Belgium/Europe) are developing and testing methods to promote mutual support and togetherness in neighbourhood groups. The project is aimed at associations, initiatives and senior citizens' groups that are concerned about these issues and would like to be inspired by innovative approaches.
Currently, partners are working on a Fact sheet to raise awareness of the issue and inspire older people, communities and relevant actors to contribute to the Dreamlike Neighbourhood project. Based on a Concept & Curriculum, partners are going to establish neighbourhood groups in their own countries. A Handbook and an Online Resource Kit will highlight experiences gained throughout the project and provide practical tools to build and run Dreamlike Neighbourhood groups around the world.
For further information please contact Anita Rappauer, queraum. cultural and social research, rappauer@queraum.org (European Coordinator)
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A Network for Older Adults Strengthening a Walkable Neighbourhood
Submitted By: Anthony Kupferschmidt, Executive Director, West End Seniors’ Network, Vancouver, BC, Canada
The West End neighbourhood of Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada is considered highly walkable (with a walkability score of 95), and this contributes to its reputation as an age-friendly community. This neighbourhood doesn’t have a higher proportion of older adults residents than any other in Vancouver, but older adults can regularly be seen out and about in this community moreso than in others across the city. All needed businesses and services are close at hand, and many older adult residents have willingly given up their cars as they no longer see a need to drive.
This neighbourhood also boasts the West End Seniors’ Network (WESN), one of the largest senior-serving agencies in Vancouver. WESN is a multi-site seniors’ centre, and our locations include a heritage building retrofitted for accessibility and a thrift boutique and drop-in centre in a local mall easily accessed by local transit. WESN sites are strategically located across the neighbourhood to help overcome transportation and mobility issues that older adults may face. WESN also offers its Close To Home program, which is working to bring social, recreational and educational programs into the lobbies and common rooms of local apartment buildings with a high proportion of older adult residents.
Early in 2020, the West End neighbourhood had the opportunity to pilot a participatory budgeting initiative. Local residents voted on how to spend $100,000 to improve the community. WESN played a key role in this pilot, and I am proud to have served as a co-chair of the impact team that led this initiative. The community submitted hundreds of ideas on how to improve the neighbourhood, and two of the three successful projects will directly enhance the lives of local older adults; sidewalk improvements, and an age-friendly calisthenics park close to a WESN location.
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