| Popis: |
In 2007, the World Health Organization released the Age-Friendly Cities Guide with an accompanying checklist of essential features of age-friendly cities reflecting eight dimensions of the physical, social, and service environments. The checklist captured the characteristics that had been identified mainly by older persons in a focus group methodology known as the Vancouver Protocol. The Vancouver Protocol and the checklist have since then been used by municipalities, states/provinces, and countries as a basis to develop age-friendly initiatives. The World Health Organization approach has undergone adaptation and refinements and has received critical scrutiny. Specifically, it has been criticized for presenting a fixed and ideal model of age-friendliness that is not sufficiently sensitive to the diversity of older persons and communities; that is too inclusive; and that may undermine engagement by older persons in community development. The authors review the implementation of the Vancouver Protocol and the checklist in initiatives in North America, South America, Europe, and Australia to assess how the Vancouver Protocol and the checklist have been received and used, and how local initiatives have dealt with the issues raised by critics. Adaptations include refinement of the original dimensions, with emphasis on informal social support and on safety and security. The checklist has been used in different ways, but not without a complementary consultation process. Respecting diversity and ensuring engagement have been key considerations in many, although not all, initiatives. |
