Proposed Challenge Areas

1. Aging workforce

Summary of Challenge AreaCanada has a rapidly aging population with major implications for theworkforce, including labour shortages and recruitment and retention ofworkers in key areas such as healthcare and other labour-intensiveindustries. Supporting people to remain in the workforce as they ageis a major challenge to 21st century societies and economies.Recruiting and retaining senior workers will require age-friendlyworkplaces and practices, including retraining and re-skilling, healthpromotion and supportive working environments.

AGE-WELL Priorities• Drive organizational culture change to promote the

participation of senior workers.• Promote flexible workplace practices.• Conduct risk assessments that take into account age-related

factors.• Identify health assessment tools that could potentially assist in

monitoring the health and well-being of senior workers.• Promote active living, healthy eating, stress management, and

work-life balance initiatives.• Develop solutions to support senior workers in the workplace• Provide training and development programs that would help

senior workers to remain productive.• Identify possible strategies for reducing the generation gap in

the workforce.• Identify ways of promoting age-blind meritocracy and equal

opportunities.

Find out more • https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/pub/75-006-

x/2017001/article/14826-eng.htm• https://alis.alberta.ca/media/2894/agingworkforce.pdf• https://hbr.org/2014/04/four-ways-to-adapt-to-an-aging-

workforce• https://www.canada.ca/content/dam/esdc-

edsc/documents/corporate/seniors/forum/tool.pdf• http://www.asaging.org/blog/issues-impacts-and-implications-

aging-workforce• https://www.bls.gov/careeroutlook/2017/article/older-

workers.htm• https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/productiveaging/dataandstati

stics.html

2. Healthcare for seniors

Summary of Challenge AreaWhile most seniors enjoy active and healthy lives, declining health is areality for many Canadians as they get older, due to the onset ofchronic disease and frailty. Providing the best possible healthcare forseniors is major policy priority and everyone should receive care thatis appropriate to their needs. It is important to provide morepreventative and community-based alternatives to long-termresidential care to help people to manage their own health conditionsand live independently at home.

AGE-WELL PrioritiesHealthcare for seniors is very wide-ranging, with the following priorityareas:

• End-of-life care• Personalized care

• Control of infectious disease including HIV and STDs• Medication management• Mental health• Home care• Restorative care and rehabilitation• Long-term care• Falls and injury prevention• Long-term/Chronic disease management• Caring for frail people and those with complex needs• Preventative healthcare• Hearing and vision loss

(Note that dementia and cognitive health is a separate Challenge Area)

Find out more • Research Highlights on Health and

Aging: https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/pub/11-631-x/11-631-x2016001-eng.htm

• The State of seniors Health Care inCanada: https://www.cma.ca/En/Lists/Medias/the-state-of-seniors-health-care-in-canada-september-2016.pdf

• National SeniorsStrategy: http://nationalseniorsstrategy.ca/five-principles-new/

3. Health service organization and delivery

Summary of Challenge AreaHealth services are about the way we organize and provide care andsupport to meet the health needs of the older population. One of themajor challenges facing countries across the world is how we cancreate sustainable services in the face of increasing numbers of olderpeople. In many ways the problem is more about making better use

of the financial resources and human capital that are already in place, ensuring equitable access and delivering care that is responsive to individual needs and preferences to age at home in their familiar communities.

AGE-WELL Priorities • Develop sustainable and innovative policy and service

initiatives that are aligned with the challenges andopportunities of the longevity revolution

• Move from reactive to proactive services where there is abetter balance between restorative, preventative andcommunity-based care and acute and long-term residentialcare.

• Ensure age-friendly services that are inclusive and accessibleto all, irrespective of ethnicity, location, education and income

• Create better mechanisms for seniors and caregivers toparticipate in service planning and decision-making

• Promote person-centred, integrated services and a continuumof care that is responsive to the changing needs andpreferences of people as they age

• Support research, information and data to underpin evidence-based policy and decision-making

• Work towards the adoption of eHealth and telecare solutionsacross the health services

• Ensure best practice in healthcare and high levels ofprofessionalism, skills and training across the caring services

• Ensure that formal healthcare sector, family caregivers, thenon-profit sector and the direct-to-consumer market workinterdependently

• Improve care coordination and access to information regardinghealthcare services

Find out more • WHO Towards a Decade of Healthy

Ageing: http://www.who.int/ageing/WHO-ALC-10-priorities.pdf• National Seniors Strategy for

Canadians: http://nationalseniorsstrategy.ca• The State of Seniors Health Care in

Canada: https://www.cma.ca/En/Lists/Medias/the-state-of-seniors-health-care-in-canada-september-2016.pdf

4. Caregiving

Summary of Challenge AreaCare for older adults is provided by both family members and by paidprofessional care workers. Providing care has become increasinglydemanding due to the increased level and complexity of healthconditions. Family caregivers often face a challenge of juggling paid-work, care giving, and other family responsibilities, and need support,resources, and tools to provide care to ensure quality of life of theirloved ones as well as themselves. Key issues in paid caregiving arerecruitment and retention of care staff and the delivery of high qualitycare and support.

AGE-WELL Priorities• Provide family caregivers with adequate support for ensuring

their physical, financial, and psychosocial well-being• Provide family caregivers with ongoing, practical education

and information to support their day-to-day caregiving practice• Support paid caregivers for integrating a person-centered

approach to care by providing them ongoing training andeducation

• Develop and provide adequate working condition andremuneration for paid caregivers to recognize the value of theirwork and reinforce their dedication to the profession

• Shift a societal and cultural expectation imposing women to bea caregiver in order to promote culture of sharing care givingacross gender and generations

• Develop policy around caregiving that integrates needs ofdiverse family types

Find out more • Ageing2.0: https://www.aging2.com/• International Longevity Centre Brazil: http://ilcbrazil.org/• Carers Canada: http://www.carerscanada.ca/• Canadian Home Care

Association: http://www.cdnhomecare.ca/content.php?doc=223

5. Autonomy and independence

Summary of Challenge AreaMost people want to continue to live independently in their own homesand communities as they grow older. Age-related physical andcognitive changes can undermine a person’s ability to liveindependently and carry out everyday activities and tasks.Developing solutions and supports to help people to liveindependently has major benefits for their well-being and self-esteemand reduces demands on the caring services

AGE-WELL Priorities• Promote healthy lifestyles to help seniors live independently

and actively for as long as possible• Providing resources and supports on self-care and self-

management of health conditions

• Creating inclusive age-friendly environments and communitiesthat reduce barriers

• Providing seniors and caregivers with the tools and resourcesto manage and regulate their daily lives

• Create supportive homes and living arrangements• Developing assistive technologies to remain independent

throughout life• Provide accessible information on health and social services

and community supports• Provide assistance across basic and instrumental activities of

daily living

Find out more • International Federation on Ageing. (2012). Revera report on

ageism. Retrieved from https://www.ifa-fiv.org/publication/demographics/revera-report-on-ageism/

• International Longevity Centre Brazil. (2015). Active ageing: apolicy framework in response to the longevity revolution.Retrieved from http://ilcbrazil.org/portugues/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2015/12/Active-Ageing-A-Policy-Framework-ILC-Brazil_web.pdf

• http://seniorsfirstbc.ca/for-professionals/autonomy-vs-dependence-elders/

• https://thesocietypages.org/ccf/2014/08/04/how-do-older-people-retain-autonomy/

• https://www.nextavenue.org/older-adults-balance-autonomy-risk/

6. Overcoming the digital divide

Summary of Challenge AreaThe digital revolution has seen rapid technology development leadingto new ways of accessing information, products, services, and newways to connect. Although technologies can have a substantial role inassisting older individuals with managing age-related challenges, notall older members of society have equitable access due to factorssuch education, income, and gender. A person's experience, skills,and attitudes also play a part while the design and operation oftechnologies are typically not age-friendly. An inclusive societyrequires us to address the "Digital Divide" and promote equitableaccess and use of technologies.

AGE-WELL Priorities• Invest in cost-effective technologies that improve the lives of

people with physical and/or cognitive limitations• Provide better and more equitable access to the digital

infrastructure• Provide training and support for people to engage or re-

engage with technologies and the digital economy• Investigate the impacts of technologies on the lives of seniors• Improve usability of everyday technologies• Provide better integration of currently existing technologies

Find out more • International Longevity Centre Brazil. (2015). Active ageing: a

policy framework in response to the longevity revolution.Retrieved from http://ilcbrazil.org/portugues/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2015/12/Active-Ageing-A-Policy-Framework-ILC-Brazil_web.pdf

• The Joint Programming Initiative More Years Better Lives.(2014). More years, better lives: strategic research agenda ondemographic change. Retrieved from http://www.jp-

demographic.eu/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/full-version-of-sra.pdf

• Cresci, M. K., & Jarosz, P. A. (2010). Bridging the digital dividefor urban seniors: Community partnership. Geriatric Nursing,31(6), 455-463. doi:10.1016/j.gerinurse.2010.10.006

• https://www.gearbrain.com/seniors-jumping-online-the-internet-2473036324.html

• https://msutoday.msu.edu/news/2016/what-digital-divide-seniors-embrace-social-technology/

• https://www.toronto.com/news-story/7061562-what-digital-divide-seniors-youth-embrace-technology/

7. Financial wellness

Summary of Challenge AreaFinancial wellness in later life is crucial for both seniors as individualsand society as a whole. Despite the image of wealthy baby-boomers,many older people are live in poor circumstance, or asset-rich/income-poor. Income and financial status has implications forhealth and social engagement and increases risk for major problemssuch as homelessness. Population aging has financial and socialimplications for the sustainability of public welfare systems throughoutthe world. How can governments make best use of the availablefinancial resources to ensure that seniors continue to have a decentincome and quality of life?

AGE-WELL Priorities• Identify methodologies that would reduce income inequalities

among the senior population.• Provide income, family, and community support so that seniors

have their basic needs met (food, water, shelter, clothing, andhealth care).

• Define a strategy to assist in eradicating poverty and materialdeprivation among seniors.

• Recommend financial consulting services for senior to helpthem manage their income and wealth efficiently.

• Provide realistic, cost-of-living-appropriate pensions to allowseniors to meet their daily needs and preferences.

• Commit to providing sufficient social protection benefits tomeet seniors’ basic needs.

• Ensure pensions are sufficient to see them through their senioryears.

• Have in place sufficient social protection benefits to reduce therisk of periods of poverty.

• Promote opportunities to continue working as a way tomaintain financial security.

• Provide affordable accommodation to counteracthomelessness among seniors.

Find out more • https://www.caatpension.on.ca/en/news/members/5-

components-sustainable-pension-plan• http://www.acpm.com/ACPM/The-Observer/Fall-2016/Industry-

Insider/ISSUES-ANSWERS/Longevity-and-pension-plan-sustainability.aspx

• https://www.canada.ca/en/employment-social-development/corporate/seniors/forum/plan-finance.html

• https://www.agingcare.com/elderly-financial-planning

8. Safety, security, and abuse

Summary of Challenge AreaEveryone should be able to feel safe and secure and free from abuseand discrimination. Seniors may be in a vulnerable population due to

cognitive and physical weaknesses. Training workers on elder abuse, while also providing easily accessible resources on how to identify and report violence, can help seniors feel comfortable and safe, and avoid being taken advantage of in the future. Being safe and secure at home and in local communities can be improved by age-friendly design to reduce risks for accidents and injury and to provide rapid responses when a person needs help

AGE-WELL Priorities • Provide resources to people so they could identify and report

discrimination, violence, and abuse• Help people to feel secure, confident, and safe in their homes

and neighborhoods as they age• Protect the right to basic security• Raise awareness of elder abuse• Provide proper support to people who suffer from

discrimination, violence, and/or abuse through developingsystems

• Ensure that people have access to accurate information abouttheir rights

Find out more • International Longevity Centre Brazil. (2015). Active ageing: a

policy framework in response to the longevity revolution.Retrieved from http://ilcbrazil.org/portugues/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2015/12/Active-Ageing-A-Policy-Framework-ILC-Brazil_web.pdf

• http://www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/ccaps-spcca/elder-aine-eng.htm• https://www.ontario.ca/page/information-about-elder-abuse• https://www.canada.ca/en/employment-social-

development/campaigns/elder-abuse/reality.html• https://www2.gov.bc.ca/assets/gov/people/seniors/health-

safety/pdf/trea_strategy.pdf

• Government of Ireland. (2014). National positive ageingstrategy. Retrieved from http://health.gov.ie/wp- content/uploads/2014/03/National_Positive_Ageing_Strategy_English.pdf

9. Transport and mobility

Summary of Challenge AreaSeniors require convenient and appropriate options to meet theirmobility and transport needs. The main means of transportation formost adults is driving. While most seniors continue to drive safely,many have to stop due to declining physical, mental or sensoryabilities. Very frail seniors and those with physical and mentaldisabilities can also face significant challenges in moving around theirhomes and neighborhoods. Improving transport and mobility isessential for seniors’ continued health, social participation and qualityof life.

AGE-WELL Priorities• Better access to convenient and affordable public transport• Developing alternative transportation options, such as

bicycling, walking, ridesharing• Understand the impact of autonomous vehicles on older adults• Making driving and mobility aids safer• Managing driving cessation and restrictions• Maintaining and restoring mobility in aging• Enhancing mobility aids.• Supportive designs for mobility in aging: housing,

communities, and transportation

Find out more • Managing mobility- Transportation in an aging

society: https://www.conferenceboard.ca/temp/c44c3f2c-db91-4bf1-8ace-dba3929a024a/8293_ManagingMobility_BR.pdf

• CIHR Mobility in Aging Initiative, Priorities forResearch: http://www.cihr-irsc.gc.ca/e/33610.html

• StatCan Profile of seniors’ TransportationHabits: https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/pub/11-008-x/2012001/article/11619-eng.pdf

10. Healthy lifestyles

Summary of Challenge AreaBeing healthy is about making positive and conscious lifestyle choicesthat promote and sustain physical and mental health, includingnutrition, substance use (e.g., smoking, alcohol), exercise and self-management of health issues. More generally, social engagementand being active are important for developing and maintaining optimalhealth across the lifespan. Having a healthy lifestyle is often seen interms of individual actions, but there are important contextual factorsthat contribute to health outcomes including social isolation, physicalenvironment, socio-economic status, education, access to informationand culture.

AGE-WELL Priorities• Support access to physical activities that are affordable

regardless of their age and physical and mental functioninglevels

• Inform and support people to have healthy, balanced diet andensure their access to affordable and nutritious foods

• Educate people about safe practice of substance consumptionand abuse

• Support healthy living across the lifespan to cultivate positiveattitudes and behaviors to enhance health and well-being

• Create and sustain safe physical environments to minimizerisks of injury

• Prevent chronic disease and enhance health through positivechanges to living and working environments

• Advance people’s understanding of what it means to age well,what needs have to be met to age well, and what thetrajectories of aging well might be.

• Address social and economic factors that contribute tonegative health outcomes and disparities

Find out more • Aging2.0: https://www.aging2.com/• World Health Organization: http://www.who.int/ageing/WHO-

ALC-10-priorities.pdf?ua=1• Joint Programming Initiative More Years Better Lives (JPI

MYBL): http://www.jp-demographic.eu/• International Longevity Centre Brazil: http://ilcbrazil.org/

11. The Silver Economy

Summary of Challenge AreaThe Silver Economy overlaps with many of the other Challenge Areas,but with a focus on older people as consumers and developingbusiness opportunities in key areas, such as consumer goods,housing, employment, financial services, leisure, tourism and traveland direct-to-consumer healthcare products and services. The SilverMarket will be the growth market of the future and the baby boomgeneration will have different expectations and aspirations about theirlifestyle and care options.

AGE-WELL Priorities • Understanding changing consumer attitudes, needs and

preferences• How do we create sustainable healthcare services where there

is a effective balance between formal state-provided care anddirect-to-consumer care?

• Universal design, regulations, standards and guidelines needto be in place to make sure products and services areappropriate to the Silver Market.

• We have to be better prepared for lives that may last 25-30years longer than the traditional retirement age.

Find out more There are a number of Silver Economy sources and initiatives:

• World Economic Forum https://www.weforum.org/reports/how-21st-century-longevity-can-create-markets-and-drive-economic-growth

• Silver Economy Awards http://silvereconomyawards.eu• ISO- https://www.iso.org/news/Ref2168.htm• Silver Economy Portal http://www.silvereco.org/en/what-is-

silver-economy/• Smart Silver

Economy http://www.smartsilvereconomy.eu/silver-economy

12. Equity, diversity, and inclusion

Summary of Challenge AreaEquity, diversity and inclusion are about fairness in the way allmembers of the community are treated and ensuring that everyonehas the same opportunities, irrespective of race, ethnicity, gender,sexual orientation, age, religious and political beliefs and socio-economic status. However, services and supports often excludesignificant parts of the population, even when the interventions and

products are specifically aimed at helping people. Making products and services inclusive and culturally appropriate is crucial if these are going to be accessed and used by everyone who needs them.

AGE-WELL Priorities • Ensure diversity and participation in policy-making and

decision-making• Ensure that an equity, diversity and inclusion agenda is part of

all policies, services and programs in order to reduceinequalities.

• Involve all stakeholders (older people, their families, theircaregivers) when developing products and services

• Improve access of services and support within Indigenous andnorthern communities

• Improve access of services and support among vulnerablepopulations

• Improving research and data collection by making it moreinclusive of diversity

• Equal access to persons of all age to affordable, effective,timely information, resources, and healthcare for all needs

• Raise awareness about discrimination, especially with theaging populations

• Educate professionals and citizens to identify and addressdisparities

• Provide opportunities for civic engagement and include under-represented groups

Find out more • International Longevity Centre Brazil. (2015). Active ageing: a

policy framework in response to the longevity revolution.Retrieved from http://ilcbrazil.org/portugues/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2015/12/Active-Ageing-A-Policy-Framework-ILC-Brazil_web.pdf

• HelpAge International. (2015). Strategy to 2020. Retrievedfrom http://www.helpage.org/who-we-are/our-values-and-ambitions/

• https://www.ryerson.ca/equity/• https://diversity.ucsf.edu/resources/state-science-unconscious-

bias

13. Lifelong learning

Summary of Challenge AreaLifelong learning has been shown to help seniors sustain or improvephysical and mental health, and overcome or avoid social isolation.Learning and education is also a great opportunity for personaldevelopment, civic engagement and leisure. Training and education ofaging workers also has major economic and social benefits by helpingpeople to remain in the workforce and for companies andorganisations to recruit and retain workers. Learning and education inlater life is also a major opportunity for businesses and the educationsector.

AGE-WELL Priorities• Promote social, educational, and leisure activities for seniors

and retirees.• Promote education about the value of mutual support and care

within families and between generations from an early age.• Improve the quality of recreation and creative arts programs

offered by community centres, seniors’ centres, and publiclibraries.

• Promote language courses for senior immigrants andrefugees.

• Create better mechanisms for seniors and young people toparticipate in educational programs together.

• Identify suitable ICT training programs for seniors to developtheir knowledge about technology.

• Support education and training programs for senior workers tohelp them remain active in the labour market.

• Support in-house training and re-skilling to help companiesretain and support aging workers.

Find out more • https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/family-social-

supports/seniors/health-safety/active-aging/education-and-lifelong-learning

• https://extendedlearning.ubc.ca/seniors• http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/seniors-

courses-sfu-vancouver-1.3534634• https://www.aplaceformom.com/blog/1-11-16-making-

education-accessible-to-seniors/

14. Cognitive health

Summary of Challenge AreaCognitive health is about the ability to perform cognitive mentalprocesses, such as learning, intuition, judgment, language, andremembering. It is important to seniors because it is greatly affectedby age-related disorders, such as dementia and Alzheimer’s. Thesedisorders can lead to symptoms that are debilitating and significantlyreduce the quality of life. Providing more resources for those affectedby cognitive disorders (seniors, formal caregivers, and informalcaregivers) while also growing the research field can lead to areduced stigma, better preparation and prevention, and overallimproved health.

AGE-WELL Priorities • Raise awareness of health problems associated with dementia

to reduce the stigma that prevents people from seeking aid• Develop evidence-based care standards for the prevention

and management of diseases• Develop tools that can support older adults with cognitive

impairment (e.g. dementia) through common activities of dailyliving

• Develop tools that can provide faster diagnoses andmonitoring of cognitive impairments and neurodegenerativediseases (e.g. Alzheimer Disease)

• Support the role informal caregivers play and provideassistance through financial assistance

• Provide access to resources and tools that can help preventthe onset of cognitive impairment among older adults

Find out more • Alzheimer Society. (2017). The Canadian Alzheimer’s Disease

and Dementia Partnership. Retrievedfrom http://alzheimer.ca/sites/default/files/files/national/advocacy/caddp_strategic_objectives_e.pdf

• https://www.cdc.gov/aging/pdf/Perceptions_of_Cog_Hlth_factsheet.pdf

• https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/cognitive-health• https://consumer.healthday.com/cognitive-and-neurological-

health-information-26/alzheimer-s-news-20/

15. Social participation

Summary of Challenge AreaSocial participation is about being able to remain actively engagedwithin society, the economy and within our families and communities

as one ages. Being involved in volunteering, work, leisure, religious and cultural activities and civic engagement may improve the well-being of seniors and increase the social and human capacity of their communities. However, social participation often decreases with age due to illness and disability, loss of social contacts or fear of rejection or discrimination.

AGE-WELL Priorities • Actively involve seniors in the development of policies,

programs, and services and express appreciation for theircontribution.

• Advocate for local communities to establish volunteerprograms to strengthen people’s connections acrossgenerations, genders, and cultures, and encourage digitalinclusion.

• Invest in community-based groups organized by seniors.• Support seniors associations and promote self-help groups.• Develop programs to encourage senior immigrant and

refugees to participate in the community.

Find out more • https://www.un.org/development/desa/ageing/resources/intern

ational-year-of-older-persons-1999/principles.html• http://www.un.org/esa/socdev/documents/ageing/Integration_p

articipation.pdf• http://www.un.org/esa/socdev/ageing/documents/publications/

current-status-older-persons.pdf

16. Social isolation and loneliness

Summary of Challenge AreaSocial isolation and loneliness at all ages is a key issue in modernsociety. Older people are particularly at risk due to living alone, healthproblems and disability, sensory impairment, and significant lifeevents, such as death of a spouse. Reduced contact with family orfriends may lead to various adverse physical and emotionaloutcomes. Developing initiatives to counteract social isolation will helpseniors to enjoy a healthier lifestyle and remain active participants insociety.

AGE-WELL Priorities• Increase awareness of and access to community services and

programs.• Promote social connectedness by creating age-friendly

communities.• Support volunteer programs specifically aimed at

strengthening people’s connections across generations,genders, and cultures.

• Identify ways to use new tools and approaches to improvesocial connectedness.

• Advocate for affordable transportation options to encouragemobility among the older population.

• Focusing on promoting active and healthy aging so thatseniors can overcome social isolation.

Find out more • https://www.canada.ca/en/national-seniors-

council/programs/publications-reports/2014/social-isolation-seniors/page05.html

• https://www.aplaceformom.com/blog/10-17-14-facts-about-senior-isolation/

• https://www.mcmasteroptimalaging.org/blog/detail/professionals-blog/2016/04/08/loneliness-and-social-isolation-are-important-health-risks-in-the-elderly

• https://mylumin.org/the-effects-of-loneliness-and-isolation-to-the-elderly/

17. Aging in place and supportive homes and communities

Summary of Challenge AreaAging in place is about being able to live independently in one’s homeand community. Helping older people to ‘age in place’ at homebenefits their quality of life and also provides a more appropriate andcost-effective alternative to residential long-term care. While aging inplace may bring social, psychological and health benefits, there canalso be a significant downside on an everyday level. Living at home inold age can be a place of negative experiences, such as neglect,isolation and loneliness. There is often a lack of culturally appropriatecommunity care, appropriate and affordable housing and familysupport.

AGE-WELL Priorities• Offer flexible, supportive and affordable housing options (e.g.,

care-ready design)• Develop and provide community services to enable older

adults to live at home and socially engage in their communityas long as possible (e.g., home adaptations, alternativehousing options, transportation, meal services, and personalcare)

• Support developing and sustaining age-friendly environments

• Involve older adults in determining priorities for policy andservices

• Provide older adults with chronic health conditions and theirinformal caregivers with tools and support needed to managethe conditions (e.g., social assistance, home and communityservices)

• Assist health care professionals to design and implement age-friendly care services

• Improve access to information about community care optionsand support

• Provide culturally appropriate community services andsupports

• Address the particular needs of rural and remote communities

Find out more • Active and Assisted Living Joint Program (AAL-

JP): http://www.aal-europe.eu/get-involved/calls/• World Health Organization: http://www.who.int/ageing/WHO-

ALC-10-priorities.pdf?ua=1• Horizon 2020: https://ec.europa.eu/programmes/horizon2020/• Joint Programming Initiative More Years Better Lives (JPI

MYBL): http://www.jp-demographic.eu/• International Longevity Centre Brazil: http://ilcbrazil.org/• Yukon Territorial

Profile: http://www.hss.gov.yk.ca/pdf/ycoaprogramsandservcies.pdf

18. Global issues

Summary of Challenge AreaPopulation aging is a global issue and most seniors live in mediumand low-income countries with developing economies. Major globaltrends such a population growth, rapid urbanization, changes family

social and cultural structures have a major impact on the health and well-being of older people worldwide. Decision makers have limited access to information crucial to identify solutions for promoting and sustaining health and well-being of older adults. A lack of information is a major barrier to developing and evaluating policy and solutions at a global level.

AGE-WELL Priorities • Work towards sustainable health services for everyone• Involve older adults in decision making process for developing

and adopting age-inclusive policies and programs• Respond to global-level challenges such as disaster

management and preparedness, climate change mitigation,war and displacement

• Enhance global network for creating age-friendly cities andcommunities (e.g., support age-friendly research andevaluation)

• Develop and provide a range of education and training onaging and health for policy makers and other key stakeholders

• Examine different welfare models across countries in terms ofsustainability, strengths, and weaknesses

• Develop and implement better methods of collecting globaldata on health and aging

• Combat ageism through awareness-raising and training.

Find out more • World Health Organization: http://www.who.int/ageing/WHO-

ALC-10-priorities.pdf?ua=1• Horizon 2020: https://ec.europa.eu/programmes/horizon2020/• Joint Programming Initiative More Years Better Lives (JPI

MYBL): http://www.jp-demographic.eu/• International Longevity Centre Brazil: http://ilcbrazil.org/

• HelpAge International: http://www.helpage.org/who-we-are/our-values-and-ambitions/