Resumo

Cities are described as engines of social capital, as well as, territories of social inequalities. Planning cities to provide people of all ages opportunities to lead an active and healthier life is a new trend for the 21st Century. Planning a livable community for all ages represents a significant challenge and an indisputable opportunity to cities and states around the world facing rapid population aging (Marston & Van Hoof, 2019).

New York was the first city to join the WHO Global Network of Age-friendly Cities and Communities and also the “first municipality in the world to meet the WHO’s criteria for an age-friendly city”. Age-friendly NYC initiatives began as a partnership between the Mayor’s Office, the New York City Council, and the New York Academy of Medicine. This project objective is to explore web sites that offer age-related guidelines, programs, services, and activities to improve the quality of life for older adults in New York City and New York State.

The need for government and community action with a focus on evidence-based programs and strategies ensuring healthy aging and the challenge to prepare a comprehensive Action Plan for the Decade of Healthy Ageing (2020-2030) will require an integrated effort around the world. Planning a livable community for all ages represents a significant challenge and an indisputable opportunity to cities and states around the world facing rapid population aging (Marston & Van Hoof, 2019).

A qualitative approach with an analysis of secondary database using Documentary Research Method after network meetings with NYC age specialists. A content analysis was used to treat qualitative data. The research is a cross-sectional, exploratory-descriptive study design where data were gathered using online searches and aging-related meetings to find out which websites develop age-related services and programs in New York City and State. A convenience sample of 449 websites of agencies and age-related organizations is distributed in 12 categories.

In general, the government and nonprofit sites aim to promote active aging, remove barriers to older adults’ social integration on society, and provide programs and activities to foster the continued involvement of people as they age in all aspects of social, cultural, and economics in the community where they live. Several state and city non-profit websites aim to support people as they age to maintain, improve, or manage their physical, social, financial, and mental health well-being. The education of older adults for sustainability is rarely an issue being addressed.

in order to achieve the maximum potential of older persons quality of life, it is essential to combat ageism and strengthen the social support systems, improve monitoring and evaluation of programs and services, and broad opportunities older adults to become co-designers of sustainable solutions in their own communities and participate in the planning of their cities. It is paramount to involve people of all ages to build a fairer and sustainable city. Older adults are capable and they have the right to be included in the city agenda to further promote friendly environments for all ages.

Van Hoof J., Kazak J.K., Perek-Bia?as J.M., Peek S.T.M. The challenges of urban aging: Making cities age-friendly in Europe. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health. 2018; 15:2473. WHO. Global strategy and action plan on ageing and health. Geneva: World Health Organization; 2017.