MPA Major Research Papers
Date of Award
7-1-2020
Degree Type
Major Research Paper
Degree Name
Master of Public Administration
Program
Political Science
Supervisor
Kane Faucher
Geographical Areas
Sudbury, Langley, Montreal, Ontario, British Columbia, Quebec
Abstract
The heterogeneous nature of aging has led policymakers to reconsider how seniors are impacted by localized decision-making and implementation efforts (Remillard-Boilard, 2018). Forecasted by the World Health Organization (WHO), the population of seniors (60+) is expected to reach over two billion worldwide, surpassing the number of children being born across the world for the first time in human history (United Nations, 2006). To better address the local challenges faced by the aging population, WHO devised an Age-Friendly Communities (AFC) framework to guide urban communities into redesigning policy and intervention models to better reflect the needs of seniors while also allowing them to independently ‘age in place.’ Shifting social, health, and economic barriers towards implementing age-friendly policies help sustain, expand, and champion aging-related policy initiatives. Municipalities are well-equipped to address aging issues, given the ease in access this particular level of government has to its communities. The resiliency and success of age-friendly communities is a product of collaboration between various levels of government and community stakeholders. Prioritizing the need for neighborhood-level initiatives requires innovation, harnessing knowledge, and partnerships with various community actors to demonstrate the impact of successful implementation. Devising innovative solutions works best through collaboration. Recognizing how aging, and urbanization work in tandem requires an integrative decision-making model to drive positive outcomes for effectively developing age-friendly communities for seniors.
Recommended Citation
Darubra, Shivi, "Preparing Communities for the Golden Years: Approaches for Developing Age-Friendly Communities for Seniors" (2020). MPA Major Research Papers. 201.
https://ir.lib.uwo.ca/lgp-mrps/201