WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION’S AGE-FRIENDLY CITY CHECKLIST

Examples from the World Health Organization’s checklist of essential features of age-friendly cities”:

Outdoor spaces and buildings

■ Green spaces and outdoor seating are sufficient in number, well-maintained and safe.

■ Pavement is well-maintained, free of obstructions, non-slip, wide enough for wheelchairs and has curb ramps.

■ Special customer service arrangements, such as separate queues or service counters for seniors.

■ Pedestrian crossings are sufficient in number and safe for people with reduced mobility, with non-slip markings and visual and audio cues and adequate crossing times.

■ Buildings have sufficient seating and toilets, accessible elevators, ramps, railings, non-slip floors.

Transportation

■ Public transit vehicles are clean, accessible, not overcrowded and have priority seating; drivers wait for passengers to be seated before driving off.

■ Adequate seating and shelter at public transit stops.

Housing

■ Sufficient, affordable housing in areas that are safe and close to services and the community.

■ Sufficient and affordable home maintenance and support services.

Social participation

■ Venues for events and activities are accessible, well-lit and easily reached by public transit.

■ Events are held at times convenient for older people.

Respect and social inclusion

■ Activities and events accommodate age-specific needs and preferences.

■ Older people are specifically included in activities for “families.”

Civic participation and employment

■ Encourage older volunteers, with training, recognition, guidance, compensation for personal costs.

Communication and information

■ Promote oral communication accessible to older people.

■ Access to computers and Internet at no or minimal charge in public places.

Community and health services

■ Such services are accessible by all means of transport.

■ Emergency planning takes into account vulnerabilities and capacities of older people.