By Marianne Lyons Delorey, Ph.D.
“The world is waiting for you, ready to be changed.” – Barack Obama
Cities may not technically be alive, but they grow and change with the times and with what is asked of them. Some cities die because they cannot evolve. Some cities thrive because they learn how to remake themselves with every passing century.
I recently visited Spain and toured Toledo. Toledo was founded where nature created a natural fortress. The city itself is nestled high up on a hill, and the area is surrounded on three sides by a bend in the Tagus River. The prized geography allowed the city to lean into its strengths, but every strength has a weakness, and Toledo is no different.
The huge hill that makes Toledo hard to conquer keeps its citizens prisoner. People with limited mobility have a harder time leaving the city, and if they dare to leave, returning to the city. The long escalators from the train station do help (they rise several levels in sections) but are not perfect. I did not see any ramps or elevators.
I wonder now, as our society ages, if Toledo will become less central to life in Spain because it is limited in its ability to become more age friendly. The cobblestone streets can be paved, handrails can be added, but the high walls and inability to expand (the very things that made it so valuable for centuries) make it less appealing for an aging population.
There is a growing push for communities and the institutions that serve them to become “age friendly.” This idea is largely attributed to the World Health Organization’s push, starting in 2006, to examine our world through the lens of making it compatible with an aging population. Age friendliness is not all about elevators and ramps, but includes improving:
- Outdoor spaces and buildings
- Transportation
- Housing
- Social participation
- Respect and social inclusion
- Civic participation and employment
- Communication and information
- Community and health service
Interestingly, Toledo joined the age friendly movement this year. As 23% of their population is over 60, they are incentivized. While I applaud the steps they are taking (increasing facilities for seniors and paying attention to cultural issues, computer skills, and mental health) they will have a more difficult time adapting their environment.
After visiting Spain, I thought warmly about our own country and our commitment to access. The landmark legislation of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 addressed all sorts of barriers for people with differing abilities such as:
- Communication
- Parking
- Employment
- Housing
- Building codes
I am most impressed by, and grateful for, the changes we have added to our built environment. Flat access, where we have that option, ramps, elevators, grab bars, and walk-in bathroom facilities have all helped most of us at some point.
Interestingly, despite all the advancements mandated by the ADA, when I looked on the WHO’s website, only 17 communities in Massachusetts are listed as age friendly.
It is time to demand better. With such a head start, our citizens deserve the commitment that even Toledo is making to meet the needs of our older population.
Let’s do better, Massachusetts.
Marianne Lyons Delorey, Ph.D. is the executive director of Colony Retirement Homes. She can be reached at 508-755-0444 or [email protected] and www.colonyretirementhomes.com.
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