Age-Friendly Voices in the Pursuit of an Age-Friendly Ecosystem

Without the advances over the past century in the increased lifespan of humans, there may have been little need for advancements in policy, practice, and research related to age-friendly communities, health systems, or universities. However, given the trends in the global aging of the population, there is a need to understand the facilitators and barriers to the development and sustainability of age-friendly neighborhoods, health systems, and campuses. These age-friendly sites have the potential to support communities to not only age well but also to thrive in later life. In recent years, the rapid growth of several age-friendly initiatives on a global scale, including but not limited to Age-Friendly Health Systems and Age-Friendly Universities, underscores the increased recognition of these sites’ importance. This chapter shares insights from participants of a virtual World Café workshop who shared their perceptions of key stakeholders in the development, implementation, and sustainment of age-friendly neighborhoods, health systems, and campuses in the US Intermountain West. By including these diverse community voices in the planning and decision-making processes for neighborhoods, health systems, and campuses, there are increased opportunities to support the development of age-friendly spaces for all. In regions attempting to achieve age-friendliness across these diverse sectors, areas of overlap and synergy should be identified so that efforts complement and support shared goals rather than compete and complicate. Understanding how key stakeholders in age-friendly initiatives are identified and connected within specific regional contexts is significant within the age-friendly ecosystem model because it advances our ability to extend the reach of age-friendly efforts; address gaps that disproportionately impact historically marginalized and underserved populations; and increase the impact of engagement with age-friendly work.