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The 8 Domains of Livability

The availability and quality of these community features impact the well-being of older adults

  • The Good Life, Elderly Couple Sits On Bench, Smiling, Happy, Livable Communities, 8 Features Of An Age Friendly Community
    Robert Deutschman/Getty Images

    The Good Life

    En español | The World Health Organization’s Global Age-Friendly Cities and Communities project has identified eight domains of livability that influence the quality of life of older adults. Herewith, a pictorial tour through the domains.

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  • Outdoor Spaces And Buildings, An Asian Family Walks And Holds Hands In The Park, Livable Communities, 8 Features Of An Age Friendly Community
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    1. Outdoor Spaces and Buildings

    Driving shouldn't be the only way to get around. Public transit options can be as expansive and as infrastructure dependent as a train system or as targeted as a taxi service that provides non-drivers with rides to and from a doctor's office. 

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  • Transportation, Train, Passengers, Livable Communities, 8 Features Of An Age Friendly Community
    Ulrik Tofte/Getty Images

    2. Transportation

    Regardless of a person's age, loneliness is often as debilitating a health condition as having a chronic illness or disease. Sadness and isolation can be combatted by the availability of accessible, affordable and fun social activities.

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  • Mature Couple Stands Outside Of Their Home, Livable Communities, 8 Features Of An Age Friendly Community
    Beyond Fotomedia/Alamy

    3. Housing

    Why does work need to be an all or nothing experience? An age-friendly community provides ways older people can (if they choose) continue to work for pay, volunteer their skills and be actively engaged in community life.

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  • Mature African American Woman Laughs While Doing The Hula Hoop With Others Cheering Her On In The Background, Livable Communities, 8 Features Of An Age Friendly Community
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    4. Social Participation

    At some point, every person of every age gets hurt, becomes ill or simply needs some help. While it's important that care be available nearby, it's essential that residents are able to access and afford the services required.

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  • Social Inclusion And Respect, Mature Adult Woman Helping Young Girl Read In Library, Livable Communities, 8 Features Of An Age Friendly Community
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    5. Respect and Social Inclusion

    The World Health Organization’s Global Age-Friendly Cities and Communities project has identified eight domains of livability that influence the quality of life of older adults. Herewith, a pictorial tour through the domains.

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  • Female Shopkeeper Smiles, Bakery, Work, Livable Communities, 8 Features Of An Age Friendly Community
    Kondolos Ava Katalin/Getty Images

    6. Work & Civic Engagement

    En español | The World Health Organization’s Global Age-Friendly Cities and Communities project has identified eight domains of livability that influence the quality of life of older adults. Herewith, a pictorial tour through the domains.

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  • Computers, Information, Mature Woman Looks At Computer Screen, Livable Communities, 8 Features Of An Age Friendly Community
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    7. Communication and Information

    En español | The World Health Organization’s Global Age-Friendly Cities and Communities project has identified eight domains of livability that influence the quality of life of older adults. Herewith, a pictorial tour through the domains.

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  • Pharmacy, Health Services, Shots, Mature Adult, Livable Communities, 8 Features Of An Age Friendly Community
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    8. Community and Health Services

    En español | The World Health Organization’s Global Age-Friendly Cities and Communities project has identified eight domains of livability that influence the quality of life of older adults. Herewith, a pictorial tour through the domains.

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  • Multi-Generational Family Poses And Smiles, Park, Livable Communities, 8 Features Of An Age Friendly Community
    Getty Images

    Age-Friendly for All Ages

    En español | The World Health Organization’s Global Age-Friendly Cities and Communities project has identified eight domains of livability that influence the quality of life of older adults. Herewith, a pictorial tour through the domains.

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