Active Ageing: An Indicator System for Age-Friendly Built Environment in Taiwan Oliver F. Shyr

Associate Professor, National Cheng Kung University 19 January 2015 NCKU 1

Ageing as a Global Phenomenon

• • • Ageing Society: ageing population > 7% of total population Aged Society: ageing population > 14% of total population Super-aged Society: ageing population > 20% of total population Population aged over 65 Japan China Taiwan S. Korea German France UK USA NCKU 2

Ageing society as a global trend

Taiwan(2011) Taiwan(2010) 9 cities WHO(2009) United Nations Population Division (2008) Taiwan Steps up

The “Global Age-friendly Cities Network” has officially operated and started to admit applications from candidate cities.

WHO(2007)

Population ageing and urbanization will be the key agenda in the 21st Century.

WHO(2002)

Published “Global Age Friendly Cities: A Guide” Initiated a series of programs for promoting “health and ageing” and “active ageing”.

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• The Core concept of Age-Friendly cities (AFC) Active ageing is “the process of optimizing opportunities for health, participation and security in order to enhance the quality of life as people age”

(Active Ageing: A Policy Framework, WHO, 2002).

Early Life

Growth and development

Adult Life

Maintaining highest possible level of function

Older Age

Maintaining independence and preventing disability Source:Kalache and Kickbusch, 1997

Disability threshold

Rehabilitation and ensuring the quality of life 4

AMERICAS Argentina, La Plata Brazil, Rio de Janeiro Canada, Halifax Canada, Portage La Prairie Canada, Saanich Canada, Sherbrooke Costa Rica, San Jose Jamaica, Kingston Jamaica, Montego Bay Mexico, Cancun Mexico, Mexico City Puerto Rico, Mayaguez Puerto Rico, Ponce USA, New York USA, Portland 2007 EUROPE Germany, Ruhr Ireland, Dundalk Italy, Udine Russia, Moscow Russia, Tuymazy Switzerland, Geneva Turkey, Istanbul UK, Edinburgh UK, London AFRICA Kenya, Nairobi EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN Jordan, Amman Lebanon, Tripoli Pakistan, Islamabad Credit: BC Ministry of Health SOUTH-EAST ASIA India, New Delhi India, Udaipur WESTERN PACIFIC Australia, Melbourne Australia, Melville China, Shanghai Japan, Himeji Japan, Tokyo

The Age-Friendly City Project of WHO Goal

To create a living environment that implementing the idea of active ageing.

Eight Domains

Housing Transportation Civic Participation & Employment Outdoor Spaces & Buildings Age Friendl y city Social Participation Respect & Social Inclusion Community Support & Health Services Communication & Information 6 NCKU

Current Census Data in Taiwan Taiwan Ageing Map (2011.07) Aged Society>14% Ageing Society>7% Source: Ministry of Internal Affair, Taiwan NCKU super-aged society > 20% 7

Age-Friendly City project in Taiwan

2010(Year 1):primary research & establish general indicator NCKU 2011(Year 2):Local Implementation 8

Year 1 satisfaction survey

Overall satisfaction level Best area: eastern Taiwan Least satisfied area: central and southern Taiwan Sample size: 1600 Aspects with least satisfaction: Employment (2.8) & communication and information (3.03) &Transportation (3.06) NCKU 9

Gender Male Female Total Sample size amount 1101 1369 2470 percentage 44.6% 55.4% 100.0% Taoyuan HsinChu Chiayi Tainan Kaohsiun g Year 2: satisfaction survey Taipei city New Taipei City NanTou TaiTung NCKU Alone w/Spouse 2gen. 3gen. w/rel. nursing home Living status 10

Primary Findings

• • • • • Huge difference between cities and counties Urbanization does not necessary mean better physical environment for older people Employment support and service is the domain with least satisfaction.

Overall satisfaction towards transportation is low. (including road, Public transports..) older scooter riders NCKU 11

• • • • •

Issues: Urban Environment

Poor walking environment High scooter ridership Poor public transportation system: low service, few routes Lack of open spaces Lack of facilities (i.e. toilet, bench) car scooter Car & scooter NCKU 12

Issues: Housing

• • • Increasing trend of living alone Housing style is very different in city and rural area Prefer living in general housing (ageing-in place) w/ grand children w/ children bungalow house Alone or w/ spouse High-rise apartment Apartment/ flat NCKU 13

Issues: Social Inclusion & Respect

• • • Lack of communication between generations Ageism Mental isolation NCKU 14

Issues: Communications & Information

• • • Older population is easily to be the victim of telephone fraud Illegal radio station: selling illegal supplements to older people Difficult to receive prompt information from modern equipments (PC or smart phone) NCKU 15

YEAR 2 : Local Implementation

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The Pilot City: Chia-Yi City

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3-Year Action Plan Outdoor spaces and buildings

• Continuing Installation of Countdown Pedestrian Signals at Intersections • Erecting Access-for-All Buildings

Housing

• Installing Emergency Rescue Equipment at Home • Improving Elderly Access to Blood Pressure Monitors and Blood Sugar Machines

Social participation

• Encouraging Elderly Participation by Holding Diverse Events • Providing Affordable Vehicles for Senior Drop Off/Pick Up Service to Events

Respect and social inclusion

• Organizing Activities to “Promote Respect for the Elderly” • Improving Senior-Friendly Services

Communication and information

• Providing Internet Use • Providing Inexpensive or Free Computer Courses

Community support and health services

• Enhancing End-of-Life Counseling Service • Providing Training Courses for Community Service Workers NCKU 18

Promoting People Participation

Promote & Establish Mechanisms The Most Important Instructor Guidance & Action

Local Gov’t & Experts Central Gov’t & Experts Elderly People NGOs & Private sector

The Important Supportive Groups NCKU 19

Process of People Participation

Seminars Collaboration with Local Government Staff People Participation Focus Group Interviews Expert Meeting Community Meetings NCKU Administration & Coordination Conference 20

• • •

Strategies

Low-cost, big-impact Facilities upgrade based on the need of older people Work in partnerships with private sector: age-friendly shops & pharmacy NCKU 21

Future Tasks & Expectations

Impleme ntations 8 cities establishing their own AFC models and local indicators Policy Taoyuan HsinChu Visions and Strategic Policy for Taiwan AFC Chiayi Tainan Kaohsiung Monitoring the action plans and Joining the WHO AFC Network International Cooperation Book & Journal Articles & Keynote Speeches Research NCKU Taipei city New Taipei City NanTou TaiTung Aim: 2013 full implementation in all 22 cities 23

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