Facilitators and Barriers to Becoming Age-Friendly: A Review

ABSTRACT

This interpretive review examined the empirical evidence of the factors that facilitate or hinder the implementation of age-friendly community and city (AFCC) initiatives. Thirteen studies were included in the review. Findings show three themes: enablers (consisting of the subthemes of multilevel leadership and a common vision, effective governance and management, and diverse partnerships); process-related factors (e.g., linking to other strategies); and contextual factors (e.g., rural/urban). Moreover, several underlying influencers intersect with these themes, such as how age-friendliness is conceptualized. This review shows that there is a need for more process evaluations. The AFCC movement would also benefit from drawing on other relevant work, such as literature in the areas of coalitions, public administration, and political studies.

KEYWORDS:

• Age-friendly communities
• age-friendly cities
• literature review

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.