In 2005, the World Health Organization (WHO) introduced the idea of “Age-Friendly Cities” which later became a global initiative called “WHO Global Network of Age-Friendly Cities and Communities”. The goal is to make cities and towns better for older people through community programs and environmental improvements.

Age-friendly communities focus on eight areas to improve older adults’ quality of life: outdoor spaces and buildings, transportation, housing, social participation, respect and social inclusion, civic participation and employment, communication and information, and community support and health services.

Surveys are a valuable tool for assessing the quality of life of older adults in these communities. However, people from different backgrounds, such as different ages, genders, and cultures, may understand and respond to survey questions in different ways.

Goal: Improving how we measure older adults’ quality of life in age-friendly communities.

The project will include 2 phases:

1. To understand and adjust for differences in how older adults respond to questions about their quality of life.
   → Currently recruiting participants. Please see more information below.


2. To understand how equitable measurements of quality of life can inform age-friendly projects in British Columbia.
   → More information to come.