Every day that passes we age, that is why it is important that we can adapt
our environment to our needs, but how to achieve it? Well he
Government of Zapopan in Jalisco, has done it gradually and now
distinguished for being an Elderly Friendly City since the
year 2016.
This distinction is given by the World Health Organization and means that
The city encourages active aging by optimizing
opportunities for health, participation and safety in order to improve the quality of
people's lives as they age. That is, the city works to
improve their structures and services, so that they can adapt to
the needs and abilities of older adults.
The changes to be a Friendly City must be transformations in
outdoor spaces and buildings, transportation, housing, respect and social inclusion,
social participation, communication and information, civic participation and employment,
community assistance and health services.
These adaptations are part of an active aging process, in this,
It is vitally important that we all participate, because only in this way
way we can know what our older adults need and
What can we change to make their aging more autonomous?
Furthermore, these changes have an intergenerational focus since they are the most
young people who must listen to what is needed to make their future brighter
bearable and can live more peacefully, so that when they reach
At an advanced age the city will be completely adapted to them.
The success story of Zapopan is due to the fact that the main source of production
of its Municipal Development Plan was the opinion and perception of its
citizens, in this way the Government knew what it was that its
older adults needed and how they could adapt the city to cover
those needs. Take into account our older adults for the
transformation of the country is of utmost importance, since in this way
will be able to have a safe and happy aging, we will also be able to contribute to
make them feel that they are an important part of their community, without forgetting that they
will guarantee respect for their human rights. We must not forget that the
Older adults have many more needs, because as they progress
Over time, the body loses physical and cognitive abilities, so
adapting the spaces and the ease with which you can access the services will be
of vital importance to make your aging process happier.
Without a doubt, Zapopan is a clear example of inclusion of this vulnerable sector,
because they have known how to listen and change to improve the quality of life of
those that form an important part of our history. Make them feel part
and functional is important, since it is our older adults who have
life experience and know perfectly what they need to improve their
quality of life.
which is granted by the
INAPAM. (2019). Age-friendly cities. National Institute of
Older Adults. Mexico. Obtained from the web:
https://www.gob.mx/inapam/es/articulos/ciudades-amigables-con-las-personas-
older?idiom=es
Government of Guadalajara. (2019). Guadalajara, one of the Cities and Communities
WHO Age-Friendly. Government of Guadalajara. Mexico.
Obtained from the web: https://guadalajara.gob.mx/noticias/guadalajara-ciudades-
friendly-communities-senior-people-who
WHO. (2007). Age-Friendly Global Cities: A Guide. Geneva,
Swiss. World Health Organization. Obtained from the web:
https://www.who.int/ageing/AFCSpanishfinal.pdf?ua=1
