Jaén—A City Friendly to Seniors?

To address the needs of an increasingly ageing population, the World Health Organisation (WHO) has established the Age-Friendly Cities and Communities network. This initiative aims to support interested municipalities in promoting active ageing by improving environments and services from a municipal perspective. A notable example is the city of Jaén (Spain), a municipality in southern Spain with just over 100,000 inhabitants that is working to join this network. As part of this process, an assessment was carried out to identify the specific needs and demands of older people. The methodology used follows the recommendations of the WHO, using the guidelines of the Vancouver Protocol, which is based on a participatory approach and shared diagnosis. The study involved 132 informants, including older people, service providers, and carers of older people. Based on the Age-Friendly Cities (AFC), this study analyses the needs and demands of older people across its eight domains. While particular attention is given to social relationships and participation, the findings also highlight significant challenges related to the physical and built environment, especially public spaces and transportation. In terms of social relations, older people in Jaén show a strong sense of belonging, valuing the closeness of their social environment, especially their neighbourhood and family members. However, there are differences between districts, as well as some concern that this closeness may weaken in the future. In terms of participation in leisure activities, there is a demand for more attractive and accessible options. With regard to participation in associations or politics, the former is more common, although older people still consider it to be insufficient.