Estudios realizados sobre el consumo de miel

Aging in place of choice is the ability of individuals to choose to live in their own communities for as long as possible, and to have access to home and community services that will support this ability.8, 315-317

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some of these issues, programs such as the CMHC’s Home Adaptations for Seniors’ Independence Program have helped homeowners and landlords pay for home adaptations to extend the amount of time low-income seniors (those with an income below the specifi ed regional lower limits) can live independently and in their own homes.62 _{Adaptations, such as adding handrails,}

installing reachable cupboards, storage and door handles, and undertaking bathroom modifi cations such as grab bars are intended to meet age-related disabilities. Another CMHC program that has benefi ted seniors is the Residential Rehabilitation Assistance Program for Persons with Disabilities, which offers fi nancial assistance to homeowners and landlords to modify dwellings for disabled low-income Canadians.63 _{To further address}

barriers associated with affordability, the Government of Canada has invested in the construction of social housing units for low-income seniors as part of its Economic Action Plan.319 _{Provinces and territories match federal}

funds for affordable housing through federal-provincial- territorial agreements.

Broader community and environmental practices can also contribute to aging in place of choice by making homes and communities age-friendly. For example, community and neighbourhood development plans should include consideration of an aging population. Widespread

standards can also make a difference. The current National

Building Code of Canada includes provisions for safety

standards such as barrier-free exits and the installation of railings. However, accessibility requirements in the Code do not apply to detached and semi-detached dwellings or to duplexes and triplexes.61 _{Greater awareness and}

implementation of these barrier-free design standards by planners, builders and inspectors is needed. So too is the adaptation of barrier-free design within the broader community – a concept that is embodied into the age-friendly design approach. Projects that involve age-friendly communities aim to address standards by creating environments that are inclusive, supportive, accessible and promote all aspects of active aging.10

Given the growing need for age-friendly design, it may be of interest to housing developers to introduce and incorporate modifi cations within new buildings.

Age-friendly communities and universal design

The WHO’s Global Age-Friendly Cities Guide identifi es key built, social and service environments necessary for age-friendly communities.177, 320 _{An age-friendly city}

includes factors that benefi t all age groups: accessible indoor and outdoor spaces, available/accessible transportation and housing, a variety of social and economic opportunities, and community support and access to appropriate health services.8, 83, 177, 321, 322 _These

factors allow individuals to age in place and are accessible to all regardless of level of mobility or state of health. Canada has played a leading role in creating age-friendly environments through involvement in the development of the WHO’s Guide, as well as through an Age-Friendly Communities Initiative. The initiative is engaging senior Canadians in planning and design within their own communities to create healthier and safer places for seniors to live and thrive. As well, a guide for rural and remote communities, similar to the WHO’s Guide on cities, has been developed in Canada, acknowledging the need for all environments to be age-friendly (see Textbox 4.2

Age-friendly cities and communities).82, 83

Universal design is an important component of age-friendly communities. Universal design involves the design of products and environments that can be used by all people to their greatest extent.327 _{The concept of barrier free and}

universal design has evolved since the 1950s as a result of a demographically changing and growing population that is living longer (some with disabilities), changes in legislation regarding human rights (right to access for all), as well as growing public acknowledgement of the benefi ts of barrier-free design and assistive technologies.328 _There

are seven principles of universal design, including:

• equitable use for people with diverse abilities;

• fl exible use that accommodates a range of preferences and abilities;

• simple/intuitive use that is easy to understand;

• perceptible use that communicates information to a range of sensory abilities;

• minimal hazards and adverse consequences of accidental/unintended actions;

• effi cient and comfortable use that requires low physical effort; and

• size and space that is appropriate for a variety of abilities.327

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4

Setting Conditions for Healthy Aging

Many seniors live in environments that have not been designed for aging well. In response to these inadequate living conditions, an international movement has evolved to identify community-based factors, such as land use and urban design, that can improve the health status of seniors living in various communities.177, 323 _{To address these types of issues and}

identify concrete indicators of an age-friendly city, the WHO launched an age-friendly cities project in 2005.177

The project encourages communities to create physical and social urban environments that will better support older citizens in: making choices that will enhance their health; allowing them to participate more fully in their communities; and encouraging them to contribute their skills, knowledge and experience.7 _The

project seeks to increase awareness of local needs and gaps, and recommends improvements to participating communities in order to catalyze development of more age-friendly, supportive environments.177

The WHO’s Age-Friendly Cities Project advocates specifi c and practical community development and policy change in order to create age-friendly communities.177 _{As part of this process, focus groups}

of older citizens and their caregivers/service providers identifi ed age-friendly assets and barriers. This research was conducted in 22 countries and involved 33 participating cities (including four Canadian cities).82, 177, 322 _{The resulting tool, the Global Age-}

Friendly Cities Guide, was launched in 2007.

Seniors, municipalities and their partners can use this assessment tool to improve age-friendly features of their community with:

• clean, quiet and peaceful environments; • adequate, well-lit and well-maintained streets

and sidewalks to reduce the risk of falling (e.g. snow-clearing in winter; a smooth, level, non-slip surface);

• walking paths that are safe from users on wheels (bicycles, rollerblades, skateboards) with nearby accessible toilets;

• accessible and affordable public transportation with priority seating;

• streets and buildings that are hazard-free (e.g. suitable stairs – not too high or steep – with railings; non-slip fl ooring);

• housing designs that integrate older people into the community; and

• opportunities for seniors to participate in civic, cultural, educational and voluntary activities, by making these activities accessible and affordable.177, 322

In September 2006, in conjunction with this initiative and recognizing Canada’s diverse needs across communities, the Canadian Federal/Provincial/ Territorial Ministers Responsible for Seniors endorsed the Age-Friendly Rural/Remote Communities Initiative. In 2007, PHAC and the provinces and territories also launched the Age-Friendly Rural and Remote Communities Guide (for communities with a population size of 5,000 or less). To date, there are about 100 communities in British Columbia, Manitoba, Quebec and Nova Scotia that have implemented these strategies to benefi t their communities.322 A Canadian example: Age-Friendly communities in Quebec

In 2008, Quebec launched a program to support municipalities in their efforts to create age-friendly communities.324 _{Within its fi rst year, there were pilot}

projects running in six provincial municipalities and one regional county municipality. A fi rst assessment of Sherbrooke, one of the six participating municipalities, has shown that the city has increased the number of public areas accessible to people with reduced mobility and purchased several buses with lower fl oors.324, 325

In Drummondville, they have launched a code of conduct for users of motorized mobility aids – the fi rst in Quebec. The city has also changed municipal regulations to make it easier for citizens to construct or modify their current homes into intergenerational housing.326

In document MERCADO Y COMERCIALIZACIÓN DE LA MIEL: UN ACERCAMIENTO A OAXACA (página 63-66)