Building Age-Friendly Communities
Principles of Age-Friendly Communities
Respect and Support of All Citizens
Recognizes that all citizens are vital members of a community and have the right to self-determination, to fully engage in life across the life span, and to be treated with dignity and respectAccess and Inclusion for All
Responds to the needs of all citizens ensuring fair access to flexible resources and responds to the needs across the life spanCommunity Engagement in Decision Making
Values relationships that actively include older adults in all aspects of decision making and program development relevant to them and based upon mutual respect and inclusion of multiple, diverse and equally valuable perspectives and experiencesLivability
Promotes and recognizes that health and well-being includes the built environment, public spaces, community identity and choices in transportation, housing options and other social programsAccountability
Demonstrates that programs, services and the overall planning of communities are delivered in a manner that respects these principles, is effective and efficient, and considers the voices of all citizens
Building Blocks of Age-Friendly Communities
An Informed Society
- continually learns about the needs and interests of older adults by asking and involving them directly, rather than assuming needs are already being met
- ensures all older adults are provided with the information they need to be engaged and included
- shares information and provides appropriate training for staff members, volunteers and decision makers at all levels within an organization
- shares information with the greater community in a way that respects the real lives of older adults
An Enabling and Supportive Environment
- ensures the physical environment is built in accordance with legally mandated accessibility standards and enables older adults to navigate within the environment in a way that is inclusive
- provides programs, services and supports necessary for residents to remain engaged in community; promotes meaningful participation by all citizens, including older adults and those who are isolated; and instills feelings of safety and security and protects older adults from mistreatment, abuse and neglect
Personal, Social and System Connectedness
- provides opportunity for older adults to be engaged in their community through programs, services and spaces
- encourages meaningful partnerships between older adults and service providers through means such as collaboration, consultation or advisory roles
- knowing and connecting those within and outside of your organization/community to break down the silos that often exist
The Path to Becoming an Age-Friendly Community
