VOICES OF THE ELDERLY Consell Assessor de la Gent Gran de Barcelona BARCELONA AGE-FRIENDLY CITY Together we will build a city for all ages In agreement with: Preparation and drafting: Managed by Mercè Pérez Salanova The Autonomous University of Barcelona’s Institut d’Envelliment (Institute of Ageing) Published by: Barcelona City Council Quality of Life, Equality and Sport València, 344 08009 Barcelona www.bcn.cat/gentgran First edition; July 2011 English edition; September 2011 © Barcelona City Council VOICES OF THE ELDERLY BARCELONA AGE-FRIENDLY CITY Together we will build a city for all ages Introduction In 2009, Barcelona City Council, at the ing in the same direction, and to do this proposal of the Elderly Advisory Coun- within the context of a global network of cil, began the Barcelona, age-friendly cities that are seeking the same objective, city project, an initiative that is part of the namely, to create cities that will enable the Age-friendly Cities programme promoted elderly, in their diversity, to live with se- by the World Health Organisation (WHO), curity, maintain their health and to partici- which encourages health and well-being pate in society fully; ultimately, cities that for the elderly. will facilitate and encourage the daily lives of people of all ages. The elderly constitute one of the biggest, most dynamic and diverse groups in the This is a project from older people and city. The majority are active, independent for older people, which seeks to continue people with great potential to be involved building a city that considers the views and in citizen dynamics. Older men and wom- needs of the elderly, with the conviction en are working in the various participation that the proposals and ideas we put into councils to promote a better quality of life practice will benefit everyone. This project for the elderly, and also for everyone who seeks to cover all the spheres of life in the lives in the city. city, reflected in the eight dimensions that all the work is organised around: social The city of Barcelona has a long tradition of and civic participation; mobility and trans- building its own model of services, equip- port, accessibility and the use of public ment, transport and public spaces with a and private spaces; housing; social and view to enabling dignified ageing for every- health services, mutual support and aid one, in an accessible, welcoming and inclu- relations; respect, inequalities and condi- sive environment. A model that has always tions for inclusion and communication. taken participation from older people into account in building these strategies. This publication includes the results of the extensive participatory process carried Beginning with this participation and in- out in the forums for the elderly conduct- volvement from the elderly, the public ed in each district and in the 3rd Voices of policies being promoted by Barcelona City the Elderly Convention that took place in Council have been aimed at encouraging March 2011, where the World Health Or- active, healthy ageing for older people and ganisation awarded the city of Barcelona at improving the well-being of those older the accreditation recognising it as a mem- people who are vulnerable due to depend- ber of the Global Network of Age-friendly ency, isolation or very low levels of income. Cities, with the commitment to improving by continuing to build a city for all ages, The ‘Barcelona, age-friendly city’ project enabling greater participation and a better is a great opportunity to continue advanc- quality of life for the elderly. 5 BARCELONA, AGE-FRIENDLY CITY Contents 1 Active ageing and cities in the 21st century ...................... 9 Government willingness and public participation ...................... 10 Barcelona, member of the Global Network of Age-friendly Cities ................................................................... 11 2 The work process undertaken in Barcelona ...................15 Contributions from the elderly .................................................... 17 Contributions from municipal professionals and experts .......... 22 3 Building a city for all ages ................................................... 25 The city in the eight dimensions .................................................. 28 SOCIAL AND CIVIC PARTICIPATION .................................... 30 Public contributions: qualitative research results ..................................................... 30 The 3rd Convention: contributions and results ........................... 35 MOBILITY AND TRANSPORT ................................................ 42 Public contributions: qualitative research results ..................................................... 42 The 3rd Convention: contributions and results ........................... 47 ACCESSIBILITY AND THE USE OF SPACES AND BUILDINGS .. 52 Public contributions: qualitative research results ..................................................... 52 The 3rd Convention: contributions and results ........................... 55 HOUSING .............................................................................. 61 Public contributions: qualitative research results ..................................................... 61 The 3rd Convention: contributions and results ........................... 65 6 BARCELONA, AGE-FRIENDLY CITY SOCIAL AND HEALTH SERVICES ......................................... 71 Public contributions: qualitative research results ..................................................... 71 The 3rd Convention: contributions and results ........................... 78 MUTUAL SUPPORT AND AID RELATIONS ........................... 85 Public contributions: qualitative research results ..................................................... 85 The 3rd Convention: contributions and results ........................... 90 RESPECT, INEQUALITIES AND CONDITIONS FOR INCLUSION ............................................. 96 Public contributions: qualitative research results ..................................................... 96 The 3rd Convention: contributions and results ......................... 100 COMMUNICATION AND INFORMATION ............................ 107 Public contributions: qualitative research results ................................................... 107 The 3rd Convention: contributions and results ......................... 111 4 A future project for Barcelona ........................................... 117 Continuing the project ‘Barcelona, age-friendly city’ .................................................... 117 Project participants ............................................................ 123 References ............................................................................ 129 7 BARCELONA, AGE-FRIENDLY CITY 8 BARCELONA, AGE-FRIENDLY CITY Age-friendly Cities is an initiative being How is an age-friendly city defined? It is a promoted by the World Health Organisa- city that enables older people, in their di- tion (WHO). The WHO started the Global versity, to live with security, maintain their Network of Age-friendly Cities in 2005, health and to participate in society fully. The ideal city for the elderly places more incorporating cities from all five con- emphasis on opportunities than barriers, tinents. It is an initiative at the crux of and favours daily life for people of all ages. two key aspects of the 21st century: the ageing of the population and the process The Age-friendly Cities project is aimed at of urbanisation. It is estimated that by promoting active ageing through actions 2030, two-thirds of the world’s popula- that are defined within the different areas tion will live in cities, and the population and situations of everyday life in the city. The active ageing paradigm, presented by over the age 60 will surpass 25% of the the WHO in the Second World Assembly total in the main urban areas of the de- on Ageing held in Madrid in 2002, sets out veloped world that faced with the challenge of adapting societies to the ageing population, there 1 Active ageing and cities in the 21st centuryBARCELONA AGE-FRIENDLY CITY must be collective action that includes older people in their diversity of life histo- ries, conditions and interests. What does remaining active in old age mean? In the active ageing paradigm, it means that people continue to participate in social, economic, cultural, spiritual and civic matters; therefore, ageing actively is not limited to the ability to stay physically active or to participate in the labour mar- ket. The chances of remaining active are strongly conditioned by the environment in which the people live: the environment, both natural and constructed, such as the relational environment and the services available as well, shape circumstances that can encourage or discourage the daily 9 BARCELONA, AGE-FRIENDLY CITY life of the elderly and their involvement in ent units involved, in addition to involving a the city. Consequently, involvement that large number of agents. Because support promotes active ageing must focus on for ageing actively increases when the ac- both the people and the systems. tivities in different areas are united, linked to each other. Government willingness In terms of participation, the elderly con- and public participation tribute their experiences in the city’s day- to-day and the reflections they make in Friendly Cities is an initiative that is based various ways. They describe the situations, on two foundations: the willingness of the the spaces, the interactions, anything city’s government to identify and develop that is comfortable for them and anything improvements in the different areas of that has become an obstacle, at the same municipal activity, and community partici- time thinking about the reasons for this pation, primarily led by older people. and coming up with suggestions. In other words, they undertake the role of active In terms of municipal activities, this in- citizens, very much removed from the ster- cludes developing a design concept for a eotypes of the elderly as a passive group city open to diversity, to the idea that the that only generates costs. But it is not just needs of its inhabitants evolve over the older people that should participate. In de- course of their lives, and that they also scribing daily life, there must also be par- change throughout the ageing process. A ticipation by other people who have daily design concept that gives highest priority activities that allow them to advise about to people’s daily lives, emphasising spaces, what is comfortable and what is an obsta- movement, relationships, outlining daily cle. As professionals, family or volunteers, life by combining something specific from these people contribute suggestions that a certain neighbourhood with what has are generated at very different times and become common in different parts of the situations within the day-to-day. city. Activities committed to involving sys- tems must also be planned in line with this In the Age-friendly Cities project, the WHO open concept of design. In consequence, establishes a working route for the cities this requires adopting an approach that who wish to form part of the global net- both cuts across and connects the differ- work. The route follows a cycle structured 10 BARCELONA, AGE-FRIENDLY CITY cycle: the participation mechanisms have been established and implemented and the preparatory work for defining the ac- tion plan has been carried out. The tasks that have been carried out form a proc- ess that combines actions and research; that is, they combine the organisation of activities where people contribute their experiences with studying everything they have expressed, in addition to plans, pro- grammes and municipal services. This process has been created through co- operation, reflected in various ways. The into four phases. The first phase is plan- first way is the cooperation between Bar- ning, where participation mechanisms celona City Council and the Elderly Advi- must be established to involve older peo- sory Council. The Barcelona, Age-friendly ple throughout the process, to comprehen- City project has been promoted by local sively evaluate the city’s ‘friendliness’ and government at the proposal of the Adviso- to establish a three-year action plan based ry Council. The second way concerns the on the results of the evaluation. The sec- involvement of municipal organisations; ond phase is implementation, where the the commitment from local government is action plan must be presented to the WHO, shown in the positive attitude of the mu- and then it is implemented. The third phase nicipal areas as a whole. Thirdly, the col- is evaluating the progress, which entails laboration established with the Autono- presenting a report to the WHO that high- mous University of Barcelona’s Institut lights progress in the indicators identified de l’Envelliment (Institute of Ageing) is of in the first phase. Finally, in the fourth on- note, as the Institute has taken responsi- going improvement phase, evidence of the bility for designing the tools and activities progress must be shown and a new action for collecting and analysing data in the dif- plan for the next five years must be defined. ferent sequences of the work process, as It is clear that being a member of the net- well as the subsequent preparation of the work requires ongoing commitment. results. The elderly in their diversity and alongside Barcelona as member people who are involved in or close to their of the Global Network daily lives (professionals from different areas employed in various fields of activ- of Age-friendly Cities ity, family carers, etc.) have participated in a series of activities on this path, all with a Barcelona has been part of the Global shared aim: to contribute to improving the Network of Age-friendly Cities since ear- city. Because a city that is more friendly lier this year, along with other cities from to the elderly is also more friendly to all around the world. ages. Just think of the improvements to accessibility in public transport: they help The most important part of the tasks cor- older people with mobility problems, par- responding to the planning phase has ents who are carrying pushchairs and peo- been developed out of the abovementioned ple who use wheelchairs. 11 BARCELONA, AGE-FRIENDLY CITY The Barcelona, Age-friendly City project – as with any research – which in this case delves deep into daily life and brings to- forms part of a work programme based on gether the experiences of the elderly, fo- the guidelines established by the WHO. cusing on eight dimensions: Of course, every city meets the guidelines set by the WHO in light of its own back- ground. Barcelona has started from path it Social and civic participation has forged over the years, which includes three fundamental components: the 2008- 2011 Municipal Action Plan, the 2006-2010 Mobility and transport Municipal Programme for the Elderly and the Voices of Barcelona’s Elderly conven- Accessibility and the use tions. of public and private spaces The 2008-2011 Municipal Action Plan struc- Housing tures public participation in city planning, incorporates local diversity through district plans and the commitment to develop Social and health services the international dimension through con- necting, exchanging and cooperating with Mutual support and aid relations other cities. Respect, inequalities The 2006-2010 Municipal Programme for and conditions for inclusion the Elderly is based on the WHO’s active ageing model and is committed to involv- ing older people in the processes of build- Communication and information ing a city for all ages, in other words, an inclusive city. This is done through a very wide range of activities covering the dif- ferent stages and situations of the ageing Each dimension includes many and var- process, all incorporating involvement by ied day-to-day moments and scenes. The different participants. design of the ways to participate is par- ticularly important as it enables people The Voices of Barcelona’s Elderly conven- to be involved and facilitates them in ex- tions, held every four years, bring together pressing their contributions. These must the participatory movement of the elderly, be diverse and combine various meth- lead by the Elderly Advisory Council and ods and formats: large meetings, big and the district councils, with support from the small groups, interviews, questionnaires. City Council. It should be pointed out that The variety of formats is necessary to in- the Second Convention, held in 2007, em- corporate the diversity that characterises phasised a city model for all ages promot- older people as a group, as well as the ing active and healthy ageing, while it also contributions from family members and shared with the convention held in 2004 professionals. The contributions are later the interest in extending opportunities analysed as a whole in order to systema- for participation to more and more varied tise the ideas, assessments and proposals groups of older people. 12 BARCELONA, AGE-FRIENDLY CITY Both the City Council’s action programmes In effect, the Barcelona, Age-friendly City and the space to work provided by the con- project is a very good chance to strengthen ventions are especially valuable in under- participation by developing new opportuni- standing Barcelona’s background in this ties where more older people are involved area, where the commitment of local gov- and where the diversity of the people who ernment and the Elderly Advisory Council participate is increased as well, diversity is fundamental. While these provide infor- in terms of their aspirations, situations mation as to the starting point for the work and life circumstances. And at the same done in order to be part of the Global Net- time, it also becomes a good opportunity work of Age-friendly Cities, they also allow because active ageing is thus consolidated for understanding that the decision to join as a central focus in local policies, rein- this network is completely in line with the forcing the connection between different work that has been done and will be done in municipal activities, as well as the lines of future – the work required by the network – cooperation between the various agents. n in two aspects: participating and planning. 13 BARCELONA, AGE-FRIENDLY CITY 14 BARCELONA, AGE-FRIENDLY CITY This chapter presents the work proc- In Barcelona, the planning phase culmi- ess carried out as part of the Barcelona, nated with laying the foundations for the Age-friendly City project, showing the three-year action plan, defined as a result approach adopted and the actions under- of the path established through the partici- taken. The different sections detailing the pation activities and analysis carried out on first phase of the work cycle established the data that was collected. The participa- by the WHO – the planning phase – show tory process, systematisation of the infor- how participation has been set up and how mation on the city and municipal activities the qualitative research has been carried and the work with the different municipal out. areas were all developed on this path, and are all elements on which the evaluation of the city’s friendliness is based. The WHO has defined eight dimensions for encompassing the multiple aspects of older peoples’ daily lives: 2 The work process undertaken in BarcelonaBARCELONA AGE-FRIENDLY CITY Social and civic participation: includ- ing participation through bodies such as councils, participation in activities of all kinds (training, leisure, volunteer- ing, etc.), participation in city events and the labour force by the elderly. Mobility and transport: covering mo- bility in the city on foot as pedestrians and through using all types of public and private transport. Accessibility and the use of public and private spaces: including access- ing and using outdoor spaces such as parks and squares and closed spaces, both public and private, such as shops and other services. 15 BARCELONA, AGE-FRIENDLY CITY Housing: including the physical In terms of research activity, the qualita- spaces where we live, as well as tive methodology used allowed for noting options for adapting homes to the that the dimensions are a point of entry for needs that come with ageing and the gathering and articulating the complex- different housing alternatives if it is ity that characterises the day-to-day. And not possible to remain at home. what is most important: it allowed for the ties between the dimensions to be per- Social and health services: includ- ceived; for example, it can be seen that ing both the care received and the respect is a relevant issue in the transport different social and health services. dimension and also in social and health This also incorporates health and services; that communication and infor- well-being from an overall perspec- mation are key themes in the social par- tive considering all the fields and en- ticipation dimension, in the same way they vironments from which it can be pro- are key when people talk about support moted. relations, which come up in talking about Mutual support and aid relations: housing and also form part of what older covering the support older people people express when they recount some of give and receive in their families, their experiences regarding public spaces. between friends and neighbours, in their neighbourhoods and the city. As a result, the dimensions constitute an organisational focus that acts as a guiding Respect, inequalities and condi- principle in the path of the Barcelona, Age- tions for inclusion: ncluding the friendly City project, since they are used in respect given to the elderly by the the various activities that give it specific other members of the public and shape. The dimensions structure both the the specific conditions that create dynamics of the participatory process, as inequalities and risk of exclusion for well as the systematisation of the documen- older people, such as dependency, tary research and the analysis of the contri- poverty, sexual orientation and im- butions generated in the participatory proc- migration, among other aspects. ess. They are also used within the different Communication and information: groups involved in the work process under- covering all methods and means of taken: the elderly, professionals, family and communication and information, as volunteers, and also municipal leaders. well as the features that make them accessible, effective, understanda- The dimensions, in addition to the qualitative ble and aspects regarding proximity. research on the contributions from partici- pants, define the tasks for the Age-friendly City project in any city that has the desire The eight dimensions offer a way to en- to become part of the network. But in Bar- able people to speak comfortably about celona, these tasks have taken their own daily life, covering a wide range of aspects. shape through two ways: first, because they However, it should be taken into account embody the city’s background in terms of that these are not eight independent are- developing participation and local policies, as, separate from one another, but rather and second, because the project’s activities there are many ties between them, con- are being incorporated into the action plan nections that are repeatedly highlighted that is already underway. In other words, in and warn us how important it is to avoid Barcelona the work for the Age-friendly City simplification when looking at daily life. project is not being developed as something 16 BARCELONA, AGE-FRIENDLY CITY in which they have participated, as well as other activities where family, profession- als and volunteers have also participated. Information is provided here regarding the activities of the Elderly Advisory Council and the Municipal Council for Social Wel- fare (CMBS), the district forums, inter- views and discussion groups, the project’s website and the 3rd Voices of the Elderly Convention. n Elderly Advisory Council activities The Barcelona, Age-friendly City project new and unfamiliar, separate or independ- was approved during the plenary session ent of the Municipal Programme for the Eld- of the Elderly Advisory Council held on the erly or of the Advisory Council’s activity, and 4th of November 2009, and has been part that is why this project is the main element of of the Council’s work programme in the the 3rd Voices of the Elderly Convention, and why it is being developed within the agenda periods 2009-10 and 2010-11. for action of the participatory movement for the elderly. At the start of the project, a work group was created within the Council dedicated Within the activities designed by the Autono- to the Barcelona, Age-friendly City project. mous University of Barcelona’s Institute of This group has undertaken the task of Ageing as a whole, the priority has been to monitoring the design and development of make them stimulating and to ensure they the project, making proposals and assess- facilitate expression by everyone who is in- ing the work plans, while at the same time vited to participate in the different areas collaborating in carrying out participatory and contexts for participation. The activities activities. carried out are described in the following pages, grouped into two sections. The first and more extensive section focused on the The participatory process began in March public, presents the activities where older 2010, when the Elderly Advisory Council’s people, family, professionals and volunteers Forum was held, to which all its members have all participated, while the second sec- were invited. This forum was developed in tion presents the activities where municipal two sessions and 64 people attended. Each leaders and experts have participated. dimension was dealt with in groups, which included a professional from the Autono- Contributions from mous University of Barcelona’s Institute of Ageing to ensure dynamics. For each the elderly dimension, the group identified their con- cerns, what makes things easier for them This section, which presents the participa- and proposals for improvements based on tory process where the elderly have been the experiences, opinions and ideas of the the main protagonists, details the activities elderly participants. 17 BARCELONA, AGE-FRIENDLY CITY The Council, and members of the Barce- n Municipal Council for Social lona, Age-friendly City Work Group in par- Welfare activities ticular, also participated in the forums of the ten districts, presented below, which The Elderly Work Group from the Munici- encouraged participation from the older pal Council for Social Welfare has incorpo- people in each area, and where they also rated the project into the work programme worked alongside members of each district for the periods 2009-10 and 2010-11. In council. Once the forums had been held, May 2010, a forum was held where 25 peo- the Work Group followed up the work and ple participated, working in two groups: the results from both the forums and all one for older people and one for profes- the activities that were carried out, and was sionals. This session complemented by the also heavily involved in preparing the work contributions generated in the first forum dynamic for the Convention’s work areas.. that was held, where there was participa- tion by members of the Elderly Advisory The development of the Barcelona, Age- Council. In the 2010-11 work programme, friendly City project was presented in the the group dedicated a session to process- Standing Committee and in the plenary ses- ing and reviewing the work area dynamics sions of the Advisory Council that were held of the 3rd Voices of Barcelona’s Elderly between November 2010 and February 2011. Convention. However, the Barcelona, Age-friendly City However, the project has been developed project was dealt with in the Municipal with the ten district councils in two different Council of Social Welfare’s Standing Com- ways: through presentation in plenary ses- mittee. In April 2010 the work programme sions, which brings together all the repre- was reported in detail, and in April 2011 sentatives from the institutions, and through the results of the activity undertaken were meetings with advisers for the elderly. presented. 18 BARCELONA, AGE-FRIENDLY CITY n District forums able. Working in groups, the older people reviewed what happens in each dimen- Ten forums, one in every district, were held sion of the project, accompanied by a de- between June and November 2010. The bate leader to dynamise the group. In the forums involved the district councils and ten forums, special emphasis was placed participation by 306 older people. on identifying and building proposals for improvement together, proposals that en- This initiative, designed to embody the ra- courage action to be taken. tionale of proximity, encouraged participa- tion and demonstrated the existing diversi- The elderly have had a key role in identify- ty (geographic, relational, lifestyles, etc.). It ing the elements of daily life in the city’s also facilitated involvement by people who various neighbourhoods and also in re- often share some of the same nearby eve- flecting on how to improve it. ryday surroundings, who recounted their experiences in using spaces, transport or The forums’ design has been confirmed services, encouraging similarities and dif- as a good way to encourage interaction. ferences to be expressed. Both of these They have effectively been a space for ex- aspects are in line with the project’s aim change between people that generally do and reinforce the results, since they allow not know each other, based on the experi- proposals to be related to everyday sur- ences of their daily lives, and have provided roundings. support for the experiences shared that has fostered the creation of proposals. The In these participation areas, following the group dynamics allow people to explain same methodology applied in the Advisory themselves and listen to the explanations Council forum, the older people expressed of others, share information, visualise new what they positively assess in their daily elements regarding the topic at hand and to lives and what concerns them, while at the open up to new opinions. In doing this, par- same time proposing specific changes that ticipants have broadened their understand- could make the day-to-day in Barcelona ing of the surroundings in which they live more pleasant, hospitable and comfort- and of the changes that are being proposed. 19 BARCELONA, AGE-FRIENDLY CITY unteers. Therefore, interviews and/or dis- cussion groups have been held with peo- ple who are dependants and are cared for at home and others who live in residences; the carers who are their family members; older homosexual men and women; older gypsy men and women; older immigrant men and women; and also professionals who do different work in the nearby sur- roundings. n The Barcelona, Age-friendly City project’s website There has been a website at: http://bcnamigagentgran.com/ since the In consequence, the usefulness of the fo- outset, which explains what the project con- rums goes beyond stimulating and collect- sists of and how to participate in it. Further- ing input from older people based on their more, the website gives men and women daily experiences. The forums have shown of all ages the chance to evaluate the city’s that they are a new way to participate in the friendliness in the context of the different dimensions, as well as to provide input. city. It is in this group exercise that older people, in reviewing their experiences, It received 10,600 visits and 45 people an- identify the difficulties and strategies to swered the online questionnaire between deal with them and see themselves as the May 2010 and April 2011. protagonists who give expression to their contribution in building the city. n The Third Voices of the Elderly Convention n Interviews and discussion groups: listening to different The 3rd Convention, held in Barcelona on the voices in the city 2nd and 3rd of March 2011, featured partici- pation by 761 people and had the Barcelona, Holding interviews and discussion groups Age-friendly City project as its main focus. has demonstrated the principle that the initiative Barcelona, Age-friendly City is At the opening ceremony – presided by the aimed at the elderly, recognising their di- then-mayor of Barcelona, Mr Jordi Hereu, versity. In this respect, we have been able the deputy mayor for Social Action and Citi- to learn about the day-to-day experienc- zenship, Mr Ricard Gomà and the vice pres- es of older people, some of whom live in ident of Elderly Advisory Council of Barce- particularly vulnerable conditions; people lona, Ms Mary Luz Eixarch – Mr John Beard, who were very unlikely to have gone to the a representative from the WHO, awarded district forum, and therefore voices that the city of Barcelona accreditation as a would not have been able to be heard. We Member City of the Global Network of Age- have also brought together the experienc- Friendly Cities. Detailed information on the es of people who are in direct contact with activity undertaken up to this accreditation the elderly: family, professionals and vol- was also shared in the plenary session. 20 BARCELONA, AGE-FRIENDLY CITY Over the two days, participants were stitute of Ageing. Second, older people grouped into the eight work areas, one who are members of the Elderly Advisory for each of the dimensions into which the Council introduced that body’s activity on project is structured. The approach ap- the subject specific to each of the dimen- plied in these participation areas was sions, the initiatives that had started and aimed at moving forward in building the the proposals. Third, various municipal work agenda of the participatory move- leaders explained key aspects of the City ment for the elderly, and to do this by en- Council’s courses of action and initiatives compassing two criteria to make the city that illustrate the activities undertaken more friendly for older people and for all in different areas, then the older people ages: co-responsibility in the activities and presented experiences that have taken in promoting involvement in various ways, place in the various districts in the city as through institutions, in groups and indi- an example of participation by the elderly vidually. movement in response to the aspirations, interests and needs of older people. Later Each work area focused on one dimen- in the second part, the ways and means sion and was structured into two parts, that older people consider suitable for one based on presentations and the other advancing the ideas and proposals sug- dedicated to debate. The first part started gested throughout the participatory proc- with the presentation of the results from ess were debated. Thus, this convention the forums by professionals from the Au- put the principle that older people are tonomous University of Barcelona’s In- agents of change into practice once again. 21 BARCELONA, AGE-FRIENDLY CITY Contributions from The design of the work groups enabled participants, who came from different municipal professionals teams and fields, to delve deeper into the and experts project. This initiative was designed tak- ing into consideration the fact that partici- In addition to participation by older people, pants must have the opportunity to learn the Barcelona, Age-friendly City project about the contributions from the elderly in also incorporates the internal perspective detail and to grasp their meaning, under- from within municipal organisations. The stood as a requirement as they could then contributions from professionals respon- make connections with the fields of activity sible for planning and municipal man- where they undertake their professional agement are key for addressing the city’s duties. Starting from the defined work dy- state of friendliness and the alternatives namic, the municipal leaders and experts for improvement. developed various ways of addressing their task. They reviewed the systematised in- The method of participation designed for formation about the city and municipal ac- Barcelona is a work group made up of tivities, and as a result they set out themes municipal leaders and experts. In January to incorporate or issues to expand upon and February 2011, five groups were held and reflected on what the elderly had con- where 39 professionals from 23 authori- tributed in terms of priority situations and ties and departments of Barcelona City issues and the evaluations and proposals Council participated. for improvement. They related these re- 22 BARCELONA, AGE-FRIENDLY CITY flections to the municipal criteria for ac- tion and to current planning, sometimes referring to criteria or activities planned in previous periods. However, the groups have served as a very important context for the work. The con- tributions from these professionals as a whole provided extremely useful criteria and information for putting together the city’s submission documentation, which along with the contributions from the public, form the evaluation of the city’s friendliness. And in terms of planning, they play a decisive role in advancing the overall approach to municipal planning required by the Barcelona, Age-friendly City project, a role that has two comple- contributions from technicians and man- menting aspects situated in two time ho- agers highlight the connections between rizons. In the first aspect, on the short- the concerns and the aspirations of the term horizon, we must consider that the elderly and the municipal principles and contributions from the professionals who courses of action, and they present the participated in the work groups provided conditions for putting the improvements useful elements of analysis and contrast into practice. The two aspects comple- for laying the foundations of the Action ment each other as a driving force for the Plan for Barcelona, Age-Friendly City, the systematic and articulated interventions aim of which is for it to be used as a road- that must characterise the municipal map for municipal planning. And, in the plan of action to be implemented in com- second aspect, we must consider that the ing years. n 23 BARCELONA, AGE-FRIENDLY CITY 24 BARCELONA, AGE-FRIENDLY CITY This chapter explores the participatory Currently, there are 334,273 people aged process in greater detail and reveals the 65 and over in Barcelona, representing results of the research on the contribu- 20.5% of the population. tions that the elderly and other groups from the public have made. Following Barcelona has experienced fundamental the eight dimensions that structure the changes in the structure and size of its project, the ideas, assessments and pro- population over the past thirty years. The posals that came up in the different par- 16-64 age group (potentially active) has ticipation areas are described. Before remained stable throughout this period, going into the different dimensions in the number of children has decreased detail, a series of data will be provided considerably and the 65 and over age to give a snapshot of the ageing profile group has undergone huge growth. in Barcelona. The pyramid of ages for Barcelona, like for many other cities around us, reflects a strong presence of people aged 65 and over, 20.5% of the city’s total popula- 3 Building a city for all agesBARCELONA AGE-FRIENDLY CITY tion. Despite the gradual increase in birth rates within the last decade, the popula- tion aged 0-14 still represents 12% of the population, far from the figure of 21.3% in 1981. The number of people aged 65 and over has gone from 234,033 in 1981 to 334,273 in 2010, implying an increase of 40% and nearly 100,000 people in absolute terms. The total population of Barcelona de- creased by around 9% during this pe- riod. Both trends explain the increase in the relative weight of older people on the city’s population, which has gone from 13.4% in 1981 to 20.5% in 2010. 25 BARCELONA, AGE-FRIENDLY CITY Pyramid of ages for the population of Barcelona. 2010 Men Women 100 and over 85-94 20.5% of the total 75-84 population 65-74 55-64 45-54 35-44 25-34 15-24 5-14 10% 8% 6% 4% 2% 0% 2% 4% 6% 8% 10% Population (%) The growth rate will tend to slow down over The proportion of the population of more the next ten years. The current forecast advanced ages has also increased notice- states that the population aged 65 and over ably over the past twenty years. In 1991, 45 will reach 338,000 by 2015 and 344,273 in out of every 100 people aged 65 and over 2020, 3.2% more than at present, a much were older than 75. In 2010, 55 out of every lower increase than the one that has taken 100 people were older than 75. place over the past two decades (17%). People aged 65 and over and weight on the total population. 1981-2020 In absolute values As a percentage 400.000 25 350.000 20 300.000 250.000 15 200.000 150.000 10 100.000 5 50.000 0 0 1981 1986 1991 1996 2001 2006 2010 2015 2020 Year Source: Census, Active Pattern from 1981-2010. Research and Knowledge. Social Action and Citizenship Area. Barcelona City Council 26 BARCELONA, AGE-FRIENDLY CITY People aged 65 and over Age groups % with respect to the total population There are more older women than older than the Public Revenue Index (IPREM) men. Of the 334,273 people aged 65 and (532.51 euros) in 2010. over who currently live in the city, 40% are men and 60% are women. As age increas- There are 7,526 recipients of non-contrib- es, the relative presence of women also utory retirement pensions in the city, and increases. If we consider the population 7,693 recipients of non-contributory disabil- aged 85 and over, women represent 72% ity pensions. 4.5% of the population aged 65 of the total. and over receive a non-contributory pension. In Ciutat Vella, this figure reaches 13.5%, Around 50% of the population aged 65 and while the lowest figure is in the district of over that lives in the city were born outside Les Corts, with 2.5%. 64% of non-contribu- Catalonia. tory pension recipients are women. In terms of distribution in the city, the dis- Regarding living situations, there have been trict with the most people aged 65 and over significant changes in recent decades in is Eixample, where 17.2% of the all older terms of a decrease in the number of peo- people in the city live. At the other extreme ple per household and an increase in the is Ciutat Vella, with 4.9% of the elderly pop- number of people who live alone. This latter ulation. aspect is especially important when consid- ering the elderly. In 1991, there were 54,054 Horta-Guinardó and Nou Barris are the people aged 65 and over who lived alone in oldest districts, meaning the ones with Barcelona, 18.9% of the total for this group. the greatest proportions of older people: In 2001, this number had grown to 75,359, 22.52% and 22.54%, respectively. At the representing 23.2% of older people. In 2010, other extreme is Ciutat Vella, where older there were now 85,494 people aged 65 and people represent 15.2% of the population. over living alone, so around 26% of older people live alone. 78.4% of people aged 65 In terms of the economic situation of the and over who live alone are women. If we elderly, 24.1% of the population aged 65 consider the population aged 80 and over and over stated they had incomes lower who live alone, women represent 83%. Population aged 65 and over, and women aged 65 and over. Barcelona 2010 Population Population Population Women aged 65 and over aged 65 and over aged 65 and over/ aged 65 and over/ (district with total population population respect to the city) of the districts aged 65 and over Ciutat Vella 16,286 4.9% 15.24% 60.45% Eixample 58,250 17.4% 21.77% 62.97% Sants-Montjüic 35,511 10.6% 19.27% 59.94% Les Corts 18,346 5.5% 22.04% 58.13% Sarrià - Sant Gervasi 30,354 9.1% 20.85% 61.52% Gràcia 25,548 7.6% 20.73% 62.76% Horta-Guinardó 38,544 11.5% 22.54% 60.05% Nou Barris 38,077 11.4% 22.52% 59.23% Sant Andreu 28,550 8.5% 19.37% 59.87% Sant Martí 44,807 13.4% 19.29% 59.62% Barcelona 334,273 100.0% 20.50% 60.64% Source: Active pattern 2010. Prepared by: Research and Knowledge. Social Action and Citizenship Area. Barcelona City Council. 27 BARCELONA, AGE-FRIENDLY CITY Ciutat Vella is the district showing the The city in the eight highest index of the population aged 65 and over who live alone, 32.5%. At the oth- dimensions er extreme is Les Corts, where the index value for living alone is 22.4%. These two In reading about each of the dimensions, it districts show the extreme values. will become evident how older people have expressed their love for Barcelona in vari- In Barcelona, 51.2% of people aged 65 and ous ways, that they feel part of it and they over do not have any type of dependency, value the path that had been built to make 26.2% have a mild dependency, 10.7% a improvements in many areas (services for moderate dependency, 7.9% a serious de- the elderly, transport, etc.). These expres- pendency and 4% a severe dependency. sions do not hide, however, concerns or unease at lack of civic-mindedness, wor- ries about the decline of support that used to exist in neighbourhoods and also the feeling of less social cohesion due to the predominance of individualism. It is clear that older people aspire to a “There are more older women Barcelona where people of all ages live than older men. Of the 334,273 together, where older people feel and are people aged 65 and over who recognised as an important part of the currently live in the city, 40% are men and 60% are women.” public, are treated with respect and where their diversity, aspirations and particu- lar needs are taken in account. They are “...the district with the most especially worried about dependency and people aged 65 and over solitude because these can lead to risk of is Eixample, where 17.2% social exclusion. And they also express of the all older people in the that, like the path that has been forged by city live.” all members of the public, the path that 28 BARCELONA, AGE-FRIENDLY CITY remains to be built to improve Barcelona is also something for the elderly; they feel they can promote changes and put them into action through their families, the neighbourhoods where they live, the or- ganisations and environments where they participate. At the same time, they defend the importance of the participatory proc- esses and contributing their experiences and observations, because they under- stand that these processes contribute to achieving more cohesion and better re- sponses to the aspirations and needs of the different generations. The results from the research on the con- tributions are presented in the follow- ing pages, grouped into each of the eight dimensions. As we have described in the larly the “Living document on rights and previous chapter, the dimensions comple- liberties of dependent older people”, the ment each other, and therefore the contri- “Declaration of the Elderly Advisory Coun- butions show ideas that are often related cil of Barcelona on the economic situa- to two or more dimensions. Each dimen- tion and risk of social exclusion for the sion is organised into two parts. elderly” and the “Recommendations from the Advisory Council on the treatment and The first part provides the results from participation of the elderly in the media”. the forums and different activities and Municipal activities are also illustrated shows the contributions generated in the that exemplify ongoing lines of work for different participatory sequences: a va- each dimension, and experiences are in- riety of moments and glances from both troduced that have been developed in the older people and professionals, family city’s different districts, expressing the and volunteers. In order to facilitate read- activity of the participatory movement for ing, we have avoided mentioning all con- the elderly. Finally, the conclusions and tributions that coincide from the different proposals are presented that closed the public groups involved in the participatory 3rd Convention, which outline paths for process. demands and commitments to action. The second part focuses on the 3rd Voices of the Elderly Convention and follows the eight work areas dedicated to each of the eight dimensions up until the conclusions and proposals are posed. It begins by pre- senting the main elements from the de- bates held during the Convention, where themes from the forums and the different activities undertaken come together with approaches from the projects conducted by the Elderly Advisory Council, particu- 29 BARCELONA, AGE-FRIENDLY CITY Social and Civic Participation Public contributions: For example, the fact that an older person works with an organisation means that qualitative research younger people no longer see old age as results being an inactive time of life. It also ena- bles other senior citizens to identify with this person and feel more able to have an impact on their surroundings. In the social and civic participation dimen- sion, the senior citizens have said that is a The elderly, however, point out that peo- city with lots of opportunities for participa- ple may find it hard to take the decision tion. Participation by the elderly is a very to participate and in particular to make a rewarding experience, with benefits both commitment. This can create frustration for themselves and for the people around for the people who do participate and who them: it affords protection against social often cannot find a way to reach the rest. isolation, enables training and self-fulfil- Some of the most common barriers that ment, makes people feel useful, provides restrict participation have been identified wellbeing for others, strengthens com- in the forums: firstly, doubts and insecurity munity support networks and has a posi- about joining an organisation for fear of not tive impact on the social image of senior having sufficient knowledge. As a result, citizens. elderly people say that newcomers need to be given a warm welcome and great care must be taken to ensure that they decide to continue. They also say that sometimes the allocation of excessive family responsibili- ties to the elderly reduces their chances of participating. Another barrier is the social vision of the elderly as passive people or consumers of activities instead of viewing them also as potential organisers. Fur- thermore, seniors in the Roma community say there are also issues related to cultur- al traditions that can lessen the chances of participation, as may be the case for elder- ly women gypsies. However, they also note that the growing trend is towards a gradual increase in participation. Participation by the elderly is a Another major barrier to the participation very rewarding of the elderly is the difficulty of circulat- experience, with ing information about organisations and benefits both for the opportunities that exist to take part in themselves and for them. One of the most effective channels is the people around informal communication (word of mouth), them... 30 BARCELONA, AGE-FRIENDLY CITY In addition, they point out that there are some senior citizens who take part in as- sociations, activities and centres that are not specifically for older people, some- thing which demonstrates the diversity to be found among the elderly. Some sen- iors who participate in associations may require specific resources to accomplish their goals. The interviews with homo- sexual elderly men and women have given an illustrative example of this diversity, as ...elderly people say these people say that often they are not that newcomers need to be given a warm sure they will be well received in clubs and welcome and great centres for the elderly. Hence they may care must be taken sometimes need specific organisational to ensure that they facilities in order to address the problems decide to continue. of people in the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) community. This does not mean setting up centres for the eld- erly that are exclusively for homosexuals, since posters are often impersonal and do but it does entail providing rooms for LGBT not usually attract attention while personal meetings. communication makes it possible to ask questions as the conversation progresses. The elderly also recommend using chan- n Participation of people with dif- nels such as the Internet and blogs to pub- ficulties in daily life licise the activities run by the organisation since the number of senior citizens who People with difficulties in daily life live in are Internet users is rising. a situation that is virtually unknown to the rest of society. If it is usually hard to draw Older people have set out many of the new people into participation projects, problems they encounter when getting these people have to overcome even more new people to participate and they have obstacles to getting involved, ranging from also put forward ways to deal with them. architectural barriers to social isolation. They have stressed the responsibility of Both the elderly as well as professionals the organisations concerned to act rath- in the sector say that mentoring by volun- er than waiting for government to solve teers can greatly increase the chances of these problems. However, they also say participation by people with dependency, that there are some issues that are the for example ones who use a wheelchair responsibility of institutions and should be and have difficulty travelling. They point tackled. These include the fact that it is of- out that this mentoring should be carried ten difficult for associations and groups to out not only by volunteer organisations find venues where they can conduct activi- but also by clubs and other centres for ties and that moreover the management seniors. of public facilities is not always ideal; for example, sometimes there is not enough Great care must be taken and an extra ef- flexibility or coordination between districts fort made to achieve the participation of in using public facilities. people with difficulties. This is because it 31 BARCELONA, AGE-FRIENDLY CITY is more than likely that due to their living “Great care must be taken and conditions they have a reduced interest in an extra effort made to achieve their surroundings. For example, the trav- the participation of people with elling difficulties experienced by people difficulties. This is because it receiving home care mean they may no is more than likely that due longer be interested in going to vote if the to their living conditions they polling station is too far from their home have a reduced interest in their surroundings.” or if there is no one willing to go with them. Relatives, volunteers and professionals should encourage participation, paying It is also clear in the case of the elderly liv- particular attention to people with diffi- ing in old people’s homes that the personal culties in daily life. Mutual aid groups also autonomy of dependent people needs to provide very useful support in these cases. be promoted so they can take part in the home’s formal participation forums and Participation in old people’s homes also in decisions about everyday issues: for As for people living in old people’s homes, example, professionals should ask patients it is also very likely that the conditions of if they prefer to take their medication by their daily lives prevent them from getting themselves or would like some assistance, actively involved in building their surround- or if they want to review the meals timetable. ings and do little to foster their participa- tion in the decisions made about the opera- As for the activities run in the homes, some tion of the home. Thus when there is limited of the older people interviewed suggested participation on residents’ committees the that it should be the residents who choose reasons for it should be investigated rather the activities to be carried out, and that than just waiting for the situation to change. the staff in the home should be in charge It may be the case that people are under the of logistics management. This would mean impression that these are decision-making activities would be more to the taste of res- frameworks with little influence on the is- idents (educational, enriching and not in- sues that concern them, or that they talk fantilising) as well as more appropriate and about organisational issues but not about tailored to everyone’s possibilities (e.g.: the experiences of residents. In short, what those with eyesight problems cannot sew is needed is quality participation. but they can paint, etc.). In general they say D id you know that...? • Between 2004 and 2007 the number of old people who were members at senior centres and facilities increased significantly from 45,000 to nearly 49,000 users. • Most of the people who did voluntary work with seniors were women (94% versus 6% of men), with voluntary work being the area featuring the most women and fewest men according to the Third Sector Yearbook 2009. • Physical activity in leisure time decreases with age. In the Health Survey in 2006, 83.6% of men and 89% of women aged 65 or over said they did not do any physical exercise in their leisure time. 32 BARCELONA, AGE-FRIENDLY CITY that there should be more, and more varied, and the waiting lists are too long. The sen- activities and more staff: workshops led by iors argued that the budget allocated to lei- well-trained people with suitable material. sure, training and cultural activities should be increased. In addition, the price of these Moreover, several proposals were made at activities may be discriminatory since not the forums to encourage the involvement of everyone can afford the courses and out- the elderly in old people’s homes in activities ings offered. in the city: making it easier for residents who have mobility difficulties to get out and to join On occasion, the topics chosen are not suf- in with activities, exporting activities from ficiently attractive to the elderly. They feel the centres for the elderly to neighbourhood that there should be more innovation in the old people’s homes and publicising neigh- types of activities offered so that they are bourhood activities more in the homes. With less passive, with professional facilitators a view to strengthening these relationships, if necessary and about the issues that real- the elderly suggested stepping up coordina- ly concern the elderly. The seniors also ex- tion between all those involved, neighbour- pressed their interest in organising inter- hood organisations and institutions. generational activities, as this is a way of encouraging contact and joint participation n Participation in activities by people in different age groups. Thanks to the strong network of associa- n Participation in senior centres tions in Barcelona and public facilities such as clubs and community centres, there is a Centres for the elderly are a very impor- wide and varied range of activities on offer. tant source of information for people in the The activities, whether fun or educational, neighbourhood; however, not everyone is are important as they facilitate participa- aware of them. For this reason, seniors sug- tion and promote social relationships. gest increasing the visibility of centres for the Lately, however, due to the increase in the elderly through more extensive contact and number of people who would like to do coordination with other local stakeholders: them the number of places is insufficient health centres, neighbourhood associations, civic centres, libraries, etc. Another issue of interest to people at the cen- tres is that the latter should increasingly be perceived more as a place where recreation- al or training expectations can be met. There is a perception that the relational and par- ticipation aspect has recently been pushed into the background. It may be the case that more individualistic valuesand overcrowding mean that there is no longer an atmosphere ...seniors suggest of closeness between people or as much in- increasing the volvement in the organisation of the centres. visibility of centres Seniors have repeatedly stressed that the for the elderly through specific needs of neighbourhoods, in terms more extensive contact of facilities where older people can partici- and coordination pate by doing activities or getting involved with other local organising them, must be met. stakeholders... 33 BARCELONA, AGE-FRIENDLY CITY Finally, seniors value the good upkeep of “They believe that more work municipal and private centres but place spe- should be done in groups in cial emphasis on the need for more financial the districts, where people support for activities. In addition, the elderly specifically deal with local have shown some concern about the fact issues they think are useful, to that outsourcing management may reduce encourage involvement.” the participation of users in decision-making and encourage a more passive model. Sec- tor professionals believe that the officers who promote and mentor participation in the centres should also provide education in the n Voluntary work work of associations. In general, older peo- Volunteering is very necessary to improve ple appreciate the presence of professionals the wellbeing of people living alone or who who provide technical and logistical support, need help to participate. However, the but sometimes they have the feeling of being network of volunteers is still not strong under the tutelage of someone else. enough. Professionals have found that in particular there is a lack of volunteers to n Civic and political participation assist in support and care for the elderly; many people consider it to be a kind of vol- This area is where the elderly identify a untary work which has low social prestige. higher degree of resignation. They argue Hence they believe the reciprocal benefits that the lack of information about the im- of voluntary work in supporting and help- pact of participation in the institutional ing the elderly should be promoted more. participation channels makes them feel they are not heard. Hence more informa- More people need to get engaged in these tion about the results of the activities of projects, and the main ones that can at- participation bodies is required to encour- tract new people are those who are already age civic engagement. Concern has again doing some kind of voluntary work. Institu- been expressed about the lack of seniors tions should also get involved more, pro- who want to be active in political parties. viding facilities to organisations, identifying the people in need of assistance and pro- They think it a pity that few people know moting a culture of more pro-social values. the Advisory Council for the Elderly exists Volunteers also need access to training and what its functions are. There is a feel- and professional help with the tasks they ing that the councils have no influence and carry out. It is stressed that there should that the institutional representation of the be no mixing up of the responsibilities of elderly can be treated very superficially. volunteers and of professional carers and They believe that more work should be that their roles are complementary. done in groups in the districts, where peo- ple specifically deal with local issues they think are useful, to encourage involvement. In addition, they think there should be a “They argue that the Advisory greater presence of small organisations Council for the Elderly and the in the councils. They argue that the Advi- district councils can encourage sory Council for the Elderly and the district increased interaction and councils can encourage increased inter- cohesion between the different action and cohesion between the different types of entities so they can types of entities so they can work together. work together.” 34 BARCELONA, AGE-FRIENDLY CITY n Paid work The 3rd Convention: The seniors said that working life should contributions not necessarily end at 65. Several propos- als have been put forward so that older and results people can continue working if they so wish: a flexible retirement age, doing occasional n The debate about participation jobs related with the profession and activi- ties they have had throughout their work- How to promote social and civic participa- ing lives, the possibility of earning income tion by the elderly was discussed during in spite of having a pension, or transferring the debate in the Convention’s workspace. professional knowledge acquired to young The options put forward included draw- people in trade workshops, extra tutoring ing up a list of the reasons and interests services, etc. that older people may have that would encourage them to get involved. Several They also state that retirement is a very suggestions were made for working in significant life change. Providing periods of this area: organising discussion groups preparation and adjustment to retirement to bring out the reasons for participating would help make the change less abrupt. based on personal experiences, install- In addition, the elderly are concerned by ing mailboxes in centres for the elderly so cases where someone loses their job when that volunteers can write down the rea- aged around fifty, as they will find it hard sons that lead them to participate, publi- to get another as they are too old but they cising through blogs and local media, etc. are not yet entitled to retirement. In these The need to encourage men in particular cases employment policies with a more so- to participate and do voluntary work was cial perspective are needed (e.g., creating also noted, because usually it is women specific employment programmes to meet who are more involved. such situations). The debate also noted the need to pro- mote a type of voluntary work that helps people with difficulties in daily life to take part (e.g., being accompanied to the cen- tre for the elderly, motivation to become involved, etc.). As there are people who are willing to help others to participate, ways must be found to support these in- dividual initiatives, for example by provid- ing free transport or creating groups of volunteers in the centres for the elderly to carry out this task. Mention was also made of the possibility of increasing the exchange of positive experiences among the various districts. The documents drawn up for the Third Convention by the Advisory Council for the Elderly also refer to the issue of participa- tion on a number of occasions. The “Open 35 BARCELONA, AGE-FRIENDLY CITY The need to Document about the Rights and Freedoms encourage men of the Dependent Elderly” argues that pro- in particular to fessionals working in care and support participate and do services and the relatives of dependent voluntary work was elderly people must respect their dignity, noted, because usually integrity and autonomy and encourage it is women who their participation and independence. It are more involved... also notes that the participation of fami- lies in the care of dependent elderly peo- ple must be encouraged and facilitated in day centres and residential institutions. Moreover, the paper “Recommendations about the Treatment and Participation of Older People in the Media” urges the eld- erly to get involved in the defence of the right to be treated with respect by the media either through organisations or on their own initiative, and also to participate actively in the construction of a social im- age of older people in the media that is The two projects presented, ‘University Shar- more positive and closer to reality. ing’ and ‘Volunteers in Centres’, include ex- amples of how seniors take part through group work. In the former, participation takes the shape of interaction between seniors and n Municipal activities university students in which both generations and experiences give and receive. Meanwhile, ‘Volunteers in Centres’ sets out the building of a voluntary This section sets out the municipal activi- work project based on the introduction of the ties and experiences presented at the Third new model of municipal centres together “Voices of the Elderly” Convention. These with the specific goals it seeks to achieve. examples show how this dimension is re- flected in municipal planning and initiatives deployed by the organisations and groups The Municipal Citizen Participation Master where older people participate. Taken to- Plan gether they reveal various aspects of coop- Since 1979 Barcelona City Council’s policy, eration between government and citizens. as presented by Glòria Meler, has been to In terms of participation, the Municipal Citi- recognise and make effective the right of zen Participation Master Plan is an example citizens to participate in the mapping out of of global planning to upgrade opportunities public policies by contributing their views for participation based on a review of the based on their knowledge and experience. experience of participation over thirty years. The City Council has the responsibility of Participation in services for the elderly, the taking what it views to be the best deci- second municipal action to be presented, sions with the participation of citizens. It is gives a detailed report about the specific also required to report what it has finally channels for participation that are currently decided and how the contributions of the available to the elderly. public have been taken into account. 36 BARCELONA, AGE-FRIENDLY CITY Did you know that...? • Figures in the Third Sector Yearbook 2009 show that organisations helping the elderly had the largest numbers of volunteers. • Since the start-up of the Municipal Senior Centres and Facilities Improvement Plan in 2007, 14 centres and facilities for seniors have been built in Barcelona and another 10 have been refurbished. • In 2006 11% of municipal sports centre members were aged over 65. After more than thirty years of experience government-citizen relationship, the de- in participation, it was time to share this livery of services and community living in experience, review it and commit to im- the city. proving it. In all these years there has not been such a serious discussion about par- For example, one of the measures in the ticipation in Barcelona as the one that took Plan is the Participation Agenda, which is place when drawing up the Municipal Citi- a summary of the activities that take place zen Participation Master Plan. sponsored by the City Council to promote public participation in matters of public The Plan is one of the measures pro- interest. This agenda will help to increase posed in the Municipal Action Plan 2007- public awareness of the boards and other 2011 and sets out objectives for the period participation forums and also improve co- 2010-2015. It was approved last October ordination between them. by the City Council with a broad political consensus. The Advisory Council for the Elderly and Participation in care services for the elderly senior citizen committees in the districts are part of the participation structure op- When assessing the significance of par- erating in Barcelona: 18 city boards, 310 ticipation by the elderly, it is a good idea to district boards and 200 assorted forums bear in mind what effects it can have. Es- (public hearings, processes, plans, com- ther Quintana picks out the following: im- missions, etc.). It is a very complex struc- proving the efficiency of service delivery, ture to understand and operate properly. personalisation of care, strengthening re- Resources are limited and our duty is to lational and support networks, promoting use them to the best benefit of citizens. education and personal growth, improving This is why most of the objectives put for- social welfare and preventing isolation. ward in the Plan are to do with improving the operation of existing components. The Catalan Social Services Act stipulates that public centres which provide social The Plan is a commitment and also an op- services or carry out social activities, and portunity for participation to really become private ones which receive public funding, an essential cornerstone in enhancing the must put in place processes for demo- 37 BARCELONA, AGE-FRIENDLY CITY cratic participation by their users in the be informed and participate in their care way established by the regulations. As for plan, and the carrying out of satisfaction services for the elderly, Decree 202/2009 surveys and the complaints and sugges- provides guidelines on the structure and tions system. functioning of the boards in centres and Barcelona City Council approved the The system for municipal centres and fa- “Scheme for the Operation of Housing with cilities for the elderly fosters democratic, Services” and the “Scheme for the Opera- plural, joint and egalitarian participatory tion of Centres and Facilities for the Eld- activities with shared responsibility, sig- erly” which include guidelines for imple- nificantly increases the number of people menting participation in these facilities. involved in management/decision-making processes, recognises the role of volun- The participation of users in services re- teers and guarantees the generational fers to both services that are delivered handover and the training necessary to as- in facilities as well as those provided at sume management tasks. The principles home. on which it is based are: everyone takes part on an equal footing, responsibilities Thus participation in the Home Help Serv- are shared and there are no superiors, ice includes the right of older people to decisions must be taken with the maxi- be informed and participate in their care mum consensus, the activity committees plan, the recommendations of the par- are responsible for the smooth running of ticipation boards, satisfaction surveys and activities, management committee deci- the complaints and suggestions system. It sions must be respected by everyone, and is similar to provisions for the participa- participation should ensure a balance be- tion of older people in residential centres, tween personal and group interests. which include: the right to be informed and participate in their care (maintaining decision-making capacity), the represen- tation of users and family members on the board of the centre, participation in cen- tre activities, satisfaction surveys and the complaints and suggestions system. Par- ticipation also takes place in residential centres through the centre’s board that is made up of centre managers, a secretary, two members of the managing organisa- tion, two centre employees (at least one in direct care), four users, a relative or a member of the relatives’ association, and a local government officer. As for housing with services for the eld- erly, the system of internal procedures provides that participation includes the creation of a board of residents (composed of a chairman and two members) and the right to participate in centre activities, to 38 BARCELONA, AGE-FRIENDLY CITY Did you know that...? • The Barcelona educational project declaration seeks to expand lifelong training opportunities and provide a creative leisure offering that is suitable for all ages. • Barcelona is an educational city and hence urban planning needs to include measures against the segregation of people from different generations and cultures who can learn a lot from each other. In short, participation is understood as a takes place at the Faculty and consists of right whose exercise calls for information sessions at which a range of topics are dis- and training or support as well as taking into cussed. The second part takes place at the consideration the importance of motivation. Cotxeres Centre and the sessions feature sewing, cold cooking and laughter ther- Senior citizens can participate as users of apy workshops and ballroom and country services as well as through their contri- dancing. Finally, all participants (old and butions in the various kinds of community young alike) evaluate the activity in writing. action. Community development plans, These evaluations amply demonstrate that group care provided by the social services the elderly, in addition to increasing their and networks for charitable exchange all self-esteem and losing their fear of rejec- run a variety of schemes for participation tion by the young, can contribute things in the city. and can also receive. As for the students, many of the stereotypes about older people fade away when both groups are brought University Sharing together and mutual assistance is encour- The Faculty of Psychology at the Univer- aged based on respect and freedom. sity of Barcelona, in conjunction with the Sants-Montjuïc Seniors Programme, runs a four-day seminar for second year Psy- Volunteers in centres chology students. Pura Hidalgo and Víctor Pérez stated that its goals are: to promote This project has been run by the Direc- intergenerational relationships in order to torate of Services for People (Horta-Gui- acquire a broad, flexible and critical vision nardó District) and seniors from the Baix of aging and youth and the conjugation be- Guinardó, Horta and Vall d’Hebron munici- tween past and present, and connect new pal centres take part in it. social and moral values with tradition, origins with the future and history experi- The project began three years ago with enced with social changes. the introduction of the new centre model at three centres in the district. Estrella The seminars are attended by senior citi- Hernández and Paula García explained zens from the Cotxeres de Sants Municipal that each centre had a new facility featur- Centre and university students. The project ing many possibilities for doing activities. is divided into two parts. The first part As a result a team of volunteers had to be 39 BARCELONA, AGE-FRIENDLY CITY set up who, together with the facilitators contributions to the smooth running of the and people providing information, would centre (training, celebrations, etc.). ensure the centre management committee and activities committees have the partici- The project’s main goal is getting seniors at pation required by the new model and the the three centres to play an active role in the knowledge and skills of members, some operation of the facility involving personal of whom offered to be voluntary workshop commitment and responsibility. Through leaders or to support the organisation of taking part in this project, volunteers are the centre, is used. In lockstep the facilita- trained and develop skills in teamwork that tors and the officer from the Directorate of is non-hierarchical but shared out across Services for People developed a volunteer committees to help with organisation. The project including induction for volunteers, goals have largely been achieved, and since monitoring volunteer staff and the activi- 2008 the number of volunteers has more ties they carry out and recognition for their than doubled at the three centres involved. n Conclusions and proposals for the future Senior citizens play a very active role in the city’s associations, either by joining general or specific associations or organisations for the elderly when they start having more free time or alternatively by stepping up their involvement in organisations in which they have taken part throughout their lives. The participation of the elderly has been a very important area for the Advisory Council as has been reflected in the three conventions, and is the basis for the “Barcelona, friend of the elderly” project. Old people’s organisations, like most organisations, face the challenge of strengthening existing voluntary work and recognising the change in and diversity of motivations and in- terests of the people with respect to doing a voluntary activity. Proposals from the public, expressed at different times in the participatory process and during the 3rd Convention, outline courses of action for developing the Barcelona, Age- friendly City project, courses in which involvement of older people is key. The following points set out a wide range of actions to be carried out: 40 BARCELONA, AGE-FRIENDLY CITY n Promote social and civic participation n Promote voluntary work that fosters among the elderly by conveying the mes- participation under the slogan “Get in- sage “Benefit from taking part” so that volved and get them involved!” and pro- people can see the variety of reasons for vide advice, training and monitoring for participating, using innovative strate- the volunteers. gies and methodologies and having the Advisory Council of the Elderly and dis- n Enhance the ability to bring in new trict councils across the city sponsor a volunteers, and learn how to manage campaign. This campaign could include, volunteers so as not to overload or dis- inter alia, a competition about the rea- courage seniors who want to help. This sons for taking part and the reasons for year is the European Year of Volunteer- not doing so. ing and this should be used as a promo- tional tool. n Tackle the challenge of encouraging people who have retired or taken early n Promote the recognition and visibility retirement to participate in all kinds of of the work of all seniors involved in all associations, including senior centres, kinds of organisations and find mecha- and the challenge of enabling vulner- nisms to facilitate their activities, such able people to take part. as for example transport. 41 BARCELONA, AGE-FRIENDLY CITY Mobility and transport Public contributions: people feel especially vulnerable on pave- ments when vehicles use it inappropriate- qualitative research ly (e.g. driving and parking scooters). This results puts more wear on the pavement and re- duces mobility for people with difficulties. In the dimension of Mobility and Transport, the elderly have talked about mobility as In terms of pavements and pedestrianised pedestrians, as users of public transport areas, carers have explained that the bol- and as users of private transport. On the lards preventing vehicular access to some other hand, the professionals have also streets hinder ambulance access when stated that the assistance tasks under- this is necessary or urgent. They believe taken by some volunteers are fundamen- there should be a better regulating mech- tal for facilitating and enabling mobility for anism for these situations, for example, people with difficulties; in this respect, it speeding up the process of lowering the would be interesting to further encourage bollards in case of emergency. On the oth- a culture of assisting people with difficul- er hand, in terms of ambulances, carers ties that we may encounter on the street, explain that this means of transport has even if only sporadically. a very medicinal look that often scares or further disorientates people with demen- n Pedestrian mobility tia when they are in a crisis situation; per- haps a more normal means of transport Older people have referred to the aspects would be better in these cases. of streets that hinder or facilitate getting around the city on foot. Pavements have The gradual introduction of ramps at pe- been one of the main topics of debate: it destrian crossings is assessed very posi- is noted that they must be wide enough to guarantee the safety and comfort of pe- destrians. Sometimes pavement upkeep is insufficient; this leads to potholes and puddles that can increase the risk of fall- ing. Containers are sometimes placed in such a way that they hinder passage and also make visibility difficult at pedestrian crossings. Burying waste is an initiative that has been very well received. Older “...the assistance tasks undertaken by some volunteers are fundamental for facilitating and enabling mobility for many people with difficulties.” 42 BARCELONA, AGE-FRIENDLY CITY A proposal for increasing tively, but a way to prevent slipping when the safety of pedestrian it rains should be incorporated as well. A crossings is to post signs proposal for increasing the safety of pe- at the bottom showing destrian crossings is to post signs at the the direction of traffic, bottom that show the direction of traffic, in order to indicate in order to indicate which way to look be- which way to look before fore crossing the street. Regarding traffic crossing the street. lights, it was frequently mentioned that crossing times are sometimes too short, and that a good solution are traffic lights with countdown timers. In terms of street signs, older people ex- plain they need a sign with the street name in order to orientate themselves, as well as needing to see the building numbers clearly. Other elements that facilitate ori- entation are neighbourhood maps and signs with arrows for streets and places of interest. One of the main mobility problems on the pavement indicated by older people is the inappropriate use of bicycles. There is a having increased comfort and accessibil- lack of cycle lanes, and little awareness ity. Public transport that is efficient and about the insecurity older people feel when economic can be key in preventing isola- people cycle on the pavement or without tion for older people. Some people believe respecting traffic signals. Older people the price of public transport in the city is and professionals are in favour of improv- too high, in spite of existing discounts for ing road safety education and knowledge the elderly. It has also been mentioned of the rights and duties of pedestrians and that there are many points on the Trans- ports Metropolitans de Barcelona (TMB) cyclists, as well as providing cycle lanes public transportation network that are still throughout the city, marked with reflective not accessible for everyone, which is espe- bollards and good signage for dangerous cially true for people with reduced mobil- areas. In addition, the route must interfere ity and also carers of people with a certain with pedestrian routes as little as possible degree of dependency. On the other hand, (e.g. the cycle lane must not go between well-equipped means of transport usu- the bus at the bus stop). On the other hand, ally have less frequent services, so waiting it has also been pointed out that bicycles times can be very long. are a means of transport that can help re- duce pollution in the city a great deal. Older people have made various proposals for improving communication about infor- n Using public transport mation on public transport. The Trans- ports Metropolitans de Barcelona website Public transport in Barcelona is highly val- (www.tmb.cat) is very useful, but informa- ued by the elderly; the network is extensive tion about timetables and transport must and well-connected, in addition to recently also be made available to customers on 43 BARCELONA, AGE-FRIENDLY CITY erly themselves to be more involved in defending their rights. Another issue that has been stressed is the feeling of insecu- rity at night and weekends. An increase in security personnel has been suggested to cover these times. Buses This is a preferred means of transport for Public transport older people. The network provides an that is efficient extensive service, but sometimes the fre- and economic can quency of certain bus services is not good be key in preventing enough. This particularly occurs on holi- isolation for older days and at the weekend, which are just people. the days when people are more likely to go out to do leisure activities. It would also be good to add more buses to the beach in summertime and also more to the Bus- Nit nighttime network (which currently paper (guides, brochures, etc.), since not has waiting times that are too long). Older everyone has internet access. In general, people are particularly satisfied with the written communications should use a neighbourhood bus services: it is more fa- larger font as reading can be very difficult. miliar and the bus goes nearly everywhere. Furthermore, it is suggested that gener- However, buses also come less frequently alised information on routes and connec- than they would like. Inside buses, key fac- tions should be provided inside buses. The tors for preventing falls include sensitivity possibility of installing touchscreens (like from the driver in avoiding heavy braking a GPS) at stops has also been raised, so and good positioning of points for holding that people can find out which route to on to and preventing losing balance. take to their desired destination. In terms of bus stops, there are some as- In talking about civic attitudes on public pects that are fundamental for older peo- transport, older people have shown they ple: shelters and providing seats are men- are very bothered and disappointed by the tioned most. Signs with waiting times are lack of regard given to reserved seats. also considered very useful. Finally, plat- Some ways of dealing with this would forms that stick out from the pavement be: loudspeaker announcements, notices are a very effective solution for facilitating from the conductor and also for the eld- access to the bus; otherwise, sometimes the pavement is too far from the door and older people have difficulty accessing it. This issue is also important for people with mobility difficulties: there are still “Older people are particularly buses that do no have access ramps. The satisfied with the neighbourhood professionals consulted were in favour bus services: it is more familiar of encouraging the custom of helping the and the bus goes to almost elderly get on to buses when it is difficult every corner.” for them to do so on their own. 44 BARCELONA, AGE-FRIENDLY CITY Tram The tram is a means of transport that is much appreciated by older people, since it has good accessibility, the interior is com- fortable and it comes frequently. Further- more, it has a smoother ride that sets it apart from buses. Older people are in fa- vour of expanding the tram lines to connect the two extremes of the city, but also car- rying out an accurate study of the route to avoid major interference with road traffic. Trains (FGC and Renfe) It is highly valued that the stops are in good condition and there may be benches to sit on. However, there are often too many though the branching structure of the lines steps and few lifts. There must be good sometimes makes it go around too much. accessibility in all stations. The height of It is hoped that the new underground lines the steps onto Renfe trains is a particular will alleviate this problem. problem: many older people have stopped using this service for this reason. Mobile Crowding causes various problems during steps should be used to solve this problem. rush hour: the platforms are too narrow On the other hand, this issue has been re- and getting on and off the train generates solved very well in FGC trains. Finally, the insecurity in older people. If the waiting elderly suggest installing toilets in com- times in stations were a bit more in line muter trains and at stops, since urinary with the number of people, the elderly incontinence is a fairly common problem would feel more calm in these situations. that merits special attention. In addition, there are many people who do not consider ways to make people’s move- Underground (Metro) ment easier during rush hour (e.g. stay- The underground is a fast, well-connected ing to the right on the stairs). They believe transport system with good frequency, al- slow/fast lane systems could be installed Did you know... • In the scope of its competences, Barcelona City Council works to guarantee access for people with reduced mobility to the range of cultural, sporting and recreational events on offer, and, generally, to guarantee access to participatory coexistence in the community. • The pedestrian route of any street undergoing new development or improvements must have an unobstructed passageway of at least 0.9 m. • In 2006, older people gave public transport a 7.3 on a scale from 0-10, with a 7 for intermunicipal public transport and a 6.4 for the tarmac, so there are still things to be improved. 45 BARCELONA, AGE-FRIENDLY CITY to regulate movement, especially in sta- “...people with more mobility tions with lots of stairs, narrow corridors difficulties are often the ones or long transfers. who need taxi services most, since the bus and underground In terms of accessibility, older people are network is still not sufficiently not happy there are still stations that have adapted.” not been adapted, and that instead, other changes have been prioritised that were not as necessary (e.g. installing automatic explained that the back doors are particu- walkways). They stress the importance of larly narrow, and many taxi drivers do not escalators (both down and up) and lifts, make the effort to help the person get into as well as appropriate signage for indi- the car. There are also cases where driv- cating where disabled exits can be found. ers do not stop for older people with mo- Older people commend the height of the bility difficulties who need the taxi. Older platforms and the installation of ramps at people stress the need to complain when some carriage doors. these cases of abuse or poor service take place. The professionals have felt the Taxis number of taxis adapted for older people Taxis are a comfortable and fast pub- should be increased, for example provid- lic service, but too expensive, especially ing facilities for drivers who intend to com- when they charge a night or luggage sup- mit to improving the accessibility of their plement. In addition, according to the car- vehicles. They also propose the creation of ers who were interviewed, it must be taken a special telephone line for adapted taxis, into account that people with more mobil- and the advisability of making it as easy as ity difficulties are often the ones who need possible to use this type of taxi by applying taxi services most, since the bus and un- the same criteria that are used for people derground are still not sufficiently adapt- with disabilities of other ages. ed. Many suggestions were made during the forums to reduce the costs of taxi jour- Older people have proposed installing neys, for example applying reduced tariffs benches and shelters at some taxi ranks, for older people. Personal experiences since there are often no taxis on rainy days were expressed in the forums where the so people have to wait a while. These ranks driver did not know the streets well or can be especially useful in areas close to used a longer route than was necessary. hospitals or public buildings. Furthermore, despite being public trans- n Private transport port, taxis do not always have adequate accessibility. Older people and carers have The vast majority of older people con- sulted have shown themselves to be more partial to public transport than private, for environmental reasons (noise and air pol- “...the number of taxis adapted lution), among others. In fact, many of the for older people should be increased, for example proposals suggested are aimed at reduc- providing facilities for drivers ing the use of cars: increasing taxes on the who intend to commit most polluting vehicles, reducing speed to improving the accessibility limits within the city centre, paying fees of their vehicles.” for driving cars into the city, building car 46 BARCELONA, AGE-FRIENDLY CITY parks in the main entryways into Barce- of the elderly themselves defending their lona and encouraging the use of intercity rights when these are not respected can public transport. be promoted; to facilitate this, there could be more awareness about what means the Another aspect mentioned by older people elderly have available to them to deal with is the lack of car parks in the city. For this situations where their rights have been reason, carers have expressed particular violated on public transport. concern over the difficulties involved in applying for a parking badge for people The Elderly Advisor Council also referred with disabilities; they have proposed that to the issue of transport and mobility in this should be given automatically to any- the “Declaration on the economic situation one with a grade II or III dependency. and risk of social exclusion for the eld- erly”; in this document, the Council calls The 3rd Convention: for expanding the income criteria for ac- cessing the free and reduced Targeta Rosa contributions and results (Pink Card), and for the transport tariffs for holders of the reduced Targeta Rosa to The debate on mobility be frozen. They also call for continuing the n and transport process of reducing architectural barriers in public buildings, on the street and on The possibilities for improving mobility public transport. and transport so they are more adapted to the needs of older people were debated n Municipal activities in the Convention’s work area. One way and experiences of starting the debate would be the older people describing the difficult situations This section details the municipal activi- encountered daily when getting around the ties and experiences presented at the 3rd city and on the various means of transport. Voices of the Elderly Convention. These are Another noted aim was the job of making examples that give evidence as to how this drivers, pedestrians and the public in gen- dimension is encompassed in municipal eral aware of the needs of the elderly in planning and in the initiatives developed by terms of mobility and transport. In addi- the organisations and groups where older tion, it should be considered how the issue people participate. Overall, they reveal var- Did you know... • The information within buses to indicate the route is called SIU (Sistem d’Informació a l’Usuari, or User Information System) and TMB is introducing it throughout its bus fleet. • The ticket validation machines on buses give audio and visual messages to facilitate ticket validation for people with visual or hearing difficulties. • One of the advantages of the underground for people with reduced mobility is the fact that there is no height difference between the platform and the train and, in addition, there are spaces reserved for wheelchairs. 47 BARCELONA, AGE-FRIENDLY CITY ious aspects of the cooperation between the Sustainable Mobility Plan, as well as local government and the public. including a participatory organisation, the Mobility Pact. It is based on a principle of The Mobility and Transport presentation guaranteeing the right to mobility regard- introduces the structure of the Mobility less of economic and physical condition. Plan. Based on the principle of guaran- teeing the right to mobility regardless of Carles López describes how the plan is economic and physical condition, the plan organised into four areas of activity: safe is broken down in measures related to pe- mobility in consideration of living sustain- destrians, bicycles, public transport, goods ability (reducing traffic accidents and the and private vehicles, modes that have effects of pollution); sustainable mobility been at the centre of many of the contribu- in consideration of environmental sustain- tions collected throughout the participa- ability: minimising effects on the environ- tory process, and are also the focus of the ment (Kyoto Protocol; more accessibility themes dealing with the two experiences with less impact); fair mobility in consid- presented. The Mobility, Coexistence and eration of social sustainability (guarantee Safety prevention campaign is based on an the right to mobility, regardless of finan- approach where it is key for people to im- cial ability and physical condition of the prove their ability to protect themselves, person and universal accessibility) and an idea that the elderly have highlighted efficient mobility in consideration of eco- repeatedly; while in terms of the TMB Uni- nomic sustainability (using each type of versal Accessibility Plan, in addition to re- transport in the ideal area). alising the development of solutions to the barriers, employee awareness activities The model establishes a hierarchy based are also being carried out and a way to re- on types of transport: 1) pedestrian; 2) bi- alise the two types of activities demanded cycle; 3) public transport; 4) goods and 5) by the elderly and family carers in many of private vehicles. the proposals made is illustrated. Mobility and transport There are a number of noteworthy activi- ties: 1) general improvements to pedes- Barcelona’s mobility model is developed in trian spaces: widening pavements, pedes- the city’s 2006-2012 Urban Mobility Plan, trian zone conversions, defining minimum and is based on the Mobility Act (2003) and widths, street furnishings (benches, bol- lards, railings, etc.); 2) general improve- ments to accessibility: dropped kerbs for pedestrians, mechanical escalators and lifts; 3) elements for improving road safe- ty: traffic calming measures (30 zones, installing speed humps), location of con- tainers at pedestrian crossings, new types of containers, on pavements (cycle lanes and scooter parking on the road), pedes- trian/cyclist coexistence in the Traffic Ordinance and orientation elements (in- formative signage for pedestrians). Accessibility regarding buses has im- proved a great deal: 100% of buses have 48 BARCELONA, AGE-FRIENDLY CITY low floors at the same height as stops and for access platforms. The main lines of improvement are aimed at: increasing commercial speed (bus lanes with priority traffic lights, etc.), ac- curate design for neighbourhood services (routes and frequencies) and information channels for the service and ticket sales. Regarding the underground, there has been a general increase in accessibility in stations and trains. The main lines of improvement are aimed at reducing the problems resulting from crowding on cer- tain lines and during particular time peri- ods through extensions, which are already campaign. Estefania Molina explains that in progress, and promoting measures re- these sessions include a first part, Mobil- garding the perception of safety and fraud. ity, Coexistence and Safety, that consists of three sections: “Move aware”, “We all Prevention campaign: mobility, coexist- live together” and “Safety at hand”. The ence and safety second part is called Protecting Yourself Barcelona’s city police force, the Guàrdia at Home: close the door to the fire and the Urbana along with its firefighters, have firefighters will take care of it. In addition, held a series of informative sessions on informative material is provided at every prevention aimed at the elderly and people session: brochures with personal safety who have recently come to the city within advice and magnets with emergency tel- the context of the prevention ephone numbers. Did you know... • Buses have a ramp to make getting on and off easier for people in wheelchairs; they have a low platform, specific places with belts for anchoring wheelchairs and buttons at a lower height. • During 2009 and 2010, Barcelona developed the city’s stop plan with the aim of rearranging all the elements found at stops that prevented accessibility. This plan was implemented at 1,800 stops and detailed the appropriate stopping point, signage for the exit door for people with visual impairment and the elimination of obstacles at the height of the wheelchair boarding door. • People with reduced mobility and parking badges have the right to park in blue zones, green zones, loading and unloading zones for free and without any time limit. 49 BARCELONA, AGE-FRIENDLY CITY This project seeks to achieve various aims: ground and corporate projects. In terms of to be able to know yourself, accept your- bus projects, more precise access ramps self and protect yourself, for the public to for getting on and off the vehicle are being see the area of mobility in an environment installed, the information and communica- that entails risk and to consider what the tion technology is being improved (info-ac- safest way of getting around the city is. On cessibility) and standards are being estab- the other hand, it also seeks public reflec- lished for managing emergency situations tion our role as transmitters of knowledge in case of travellers with special needs. As to the children in our care and to consider for underground projects, the aims are to the importance of changes in attitude as a minimise the space between the platform condition for improving coexistence in the and the train, to adapt routing for people city. Finally, this project also seeks to re- with visual difficulties, to ensure good lift call advice and recommendations for im- performance, to improve info-accessibility proving personal safety. and to increase civil protection. Corporate projects seek to promote awareness of Transports Metropolitans de Barcelona’s diversity among TMB staff, to improve la- Universal Accessibility Master Plan belling, signage and information elements according to universal accessibility crite- This project seeks to improve travelling ria and, finally, to approach topics such as conditions for everyone and poses solu- full accessibility in TMB workplaces. tions from a “design for everyone” per- spective. Maite Peris suggests the concept of accessibility refers to the entire popula- tion. Accessibility is dealt with both inter- nally, in the form of employee awareness, as well as externally, when developing so- lutions to physical and mental barriers. These aims are realised through a se- ries of actions divided into three groups: projects for buses, projects for the under- 50 BARCELONA, AGE-FRIENDLY CITY n Conclusions and proposals for the future Mobility and transport are two fundamental aspects for the smooth running of the city and quality of life of all members of the public, and for both reasons it is key to continue pro- moting the use of public transport. For older persons, mobility is an essential element for retaining their autonomy and independence. In recent years, many improvements have been made in accessibility and communication that facilitate the use of public transport. Despite these improvements, there are still as- pects regarding accessibility that hinder the mobility of older people, especially those with reduced mobility. Proposals from the public, expressed at different times in the participatory process and during the 3rd Convention, outline courses of action for developing the Barcelona, Age- friendly City project, courses in which involvement of older people is key. The following points illustrate a wide range of actions to be developed: n To progress in improving mobility and n To review the financial criteria for ac- transport so they are more adapted to cessing the scheme and to incorporate the needs of older people: “mobility, re- commuter transport into the Targeta spect and safety must go hand in hand.” Rosa as an element to facilitate mobility for the elderly. n Continuing to improve the accessibil- ity of all public transport in the city, es- n To make drivers, pedestrians and the pecially underground transport, and to public as a whole aware of the needs increase the frequency of services, es- of the elderly, in the same way that pecially at the weekend. the elderly themselves must be made aware in order to defend their rights in new forms and new ways. 51 BARCELONA, AGE-FRIENDLY CITY Accessibility and the use of spaces and buildings Public contributions: where someone in a wheelchair wants to go into a park, but there are no indications qualitative research anywhere of where the adapted entrances results are. For this reason, it is not only impor- tant that as many places as possible are adapted to the specific needs of everyone, but that there also must be information in Older people have dealt with very diverse this respect. issues in the dimension Accessibility and the Use of Spaces and Buildings, referring n Open public spaces to both public and private spaces. One of the aspects that worries older people when Regarding outdoor spaces, older people they plan on doing something is not know- value green areas very much. They are ing whether there is good accessibility concerned that there are few open spac- where they are planning to go. For exam- es in the city available to everyone, since ple, some experiences illustrate how peo- they believe these must be reclaimed as ple wanting to go to the cinema have had to spaces for social interaction. Older peo- go back home because the premises was ple like parks and gardens because they not adapted. Another frequent situation is are places where different generations can intermingle. In addition, they can be used as recreational and cultural spaces: children’s areas, table games, exercis- ing, resting, public events, etc. Older peo- ple believe a park is well-equipped when it has green or garden areas, sufficient benches, water fountains, public toilets, a playground, a bar and an area to shelter from the weather (e.g. a shelter for pro- tection from the rain or sun). However, a recurring theme in all the district forums has been park maintenance and clean- ing, which are frequently considered in- sufficient. Furthermore, they have also expressed the lack of security they some- times feel in these spaces. Older people like parks and gardens The older people and carers interviewed because they are have also comprehensively discussed the places where use of streets as a public space, and they different generations have pointed out many of the barriers fre- can intermingle. quently found there: poorly placed pav- 52 BARCELONA, AGE-FRIENDLY CITY ing stones, ramps that are slippery when it rains or are too steep to be able to go Suitable furniture down them in wheelchairs, big puddles, in public spaces can make it easier pedestrian crossings that have not been for older people adapted or are not well-signposted, lack to go out. of benches, doors without numbers or corners without street names, etc. On the other hand, they also believe that some- times misuse of the pavement makes life difficult for people with reduced mobility. Some of the most frequently mentioned examples are streets that are too narrow for wheelchairs, unloading lorries parked on the pavement, bicycles riding on the pavement, pavement cafés taking up more space than permitted and roadworks that temporarily block passageways. The pro- fessionals suggest that whenever there are roadworks, rough information should be provided about the expected end date, that way older people can plan to avoid go- ing through areas where accessibility is poor during works. ity difficulties that some people have: they must be a suitable height, allow for back Suitable furniture in public spaces can support and have bars on the sides to pro- make it easier for older people to go out. vide arm support and enable standing up For example, free public toilets: at the mo- more easily. It is important that there are ment there are not very many and they are enough benches on the street, and this as- usually quite dirty. One proposal is to not pect is especially important in areas where only install them on public roads, but also there are more older people (areas of the at train and underground stations, since city with more older inhabitants and close sometimes the routes are too long for to housing with services for the elderly, an elderly person. Benches are also im- health centres and other facilities such as portant: they allow for resting and meet- markets, etc.). ing (although individual benches usually hinder communication between older peo- In terms of trees, older people feel they ple). They stress the importance of bench- sometimes hinder visibility of signs and es with ergonomics adapted to the mobil- posters, and they also affect lighting at nighttime. The roots sometimes lift up the pavement, and the holes where trees are planted can sometimes cause falls if they are not covered well. “...it is not only important that as many places as possible Dogs in public spaces is also a topic of de- are adapted to the specific bate. The existence of areas equipped for needs of everyone, but that dogs is highly valued: the dog toilet (“pip- there also must be information icán”) is one example, although hygiene in in this respect.” these areas is usually poor. Older people 53 BARCELONA, AGE-FRIENDLY CITY point out the importance of holding animal Reference has also been made to public owners accountable so they are respon- libraries: in general, they find there are sible, in order to preserve the tidiness of not enough, and the opening hours should public spaces and prevent risk situations be extended. However, they consider the (attacks, falls). cultural offering to be good and that they are treated very well and personally. They appreciate the existence of the lending n Public buildings service and value the possibility of extend- ing the home book delivery and collection As for public buildings, both older people system for people with reduced mobility. and the professionals complain that there are still public facilities that are not acces- Older people highly value that there are sible for everyone: lack of chairs in wait- discounts for museums and other cultural ing rooms, stairs without a railing or doors centres for the elderly, for example with that open in a single direction are some of the Targeta Rosa. However, they believe the barriers that they have come across that visits to emblematic buildings and most often. However, they value the ef- museums should be free in general. They forts made over recent years by institu- also believe there must be more informa- tions that have been aimed at improving tion for learning about the cultural offer- these issues. ings provided by the city. Some districts need more civic centres. In terms of government buildings, older people believe the City Council offices are n Private spaces: more accessible than the Generalitat offic- shops and services es. Inside buildings, they appreciate when there are sufficient seats while queueing, In terms of privately-owned buildings, older as well as numbering systems. people express that frequently there is not Did you know... • In 2006, in conjunction with the International Year of Trade, the Municipal Institute of People with Disabilities (IMD) conducted an awareness campaign for improving the accessibility of small shops in order to encourage their owners • There is a demand for the book delivery and collection system in libraries for people with reduced mobility.. • There is a quality manual for works that establishes a quality standard and provides general criteria for action in terms of accessibility criteria that works must comply with. 54 BARCELONA, AGE-FRIENDLY CITY “They propose the create es are clearly visible and aisles that are of a Age-friendly Establishment wide enough to pass through with a trol- category to easily identify any ley or walker. As pointed out by some of places that takes older people’s the people interviewed who receive home needs into consideration.” care, these issues are particularly rele- vant for people with difficulties in daily life. They also mention the issue of home de- liveries: they feel that older people should benefit from this service without having to sufficient awareness of the specific prob- pay when they have low pensions, and that lems of people with reduced mobility. For this service should be extended to small example, there must be more efforts to shops (not just supermarkets). improve accessibility: reduce architectural barriers and equip shops and bank branch- es with rest areas. They propose the crea- tion of an Age-friendly Establishment cat- rd egory to easily identify any places that take The 3 Convention: older people’s needs into consideration. contributions and results In the interviews with older people who live alone, they have mentioned a specific n The debate on accessibility and aspect about the size of packaged foods the use of spaces and buildings on sale in shops; they usually come in 2-3 portion sizes, which often means they go In the debate held at the Convention’s off or meals have to be repeated. They work areas, it was discussed how organi- have also explained that it is sometimes sations for the elderly can promote the difficult to understand the bills they re- use of parks and other outdoor spaces ceive at home (electricity, gas, etc.) or the for doing activities there. One of the ini- transactions in their bankbooks, and they tiatives that was considered is related to often need help from family or people they workshops on healthy ageing organised trust to understand them; therefore bills by elderly centres; for example, by doing and bank documentation must be suffi- physical activities in a nearby park where ciently understandable. both workshop attendees and people who are inspired to join in can participate. In terms of shops, older people generally There were also ideas that link physi- prefer neighbourhood shops, since they cal activity with the relationship between are usually treated better and more per- generations: for example, organisations sonally there. Sometimes employees and and gyms organising an annual outdoor cashiers pay special attention to the needs of older people and they help them count their money or take products from higher shelves. On the other hand, there are also people who do not respect the pace of old- er people or people with difficulties. “In terms of shops, older people generally prefer In both shops and supermarkets, they neighbourhood shops, since stress the importance of having products they are usually treated better at an average height for easy access, pric- and more personally there.” 55 BARCELONA, AGE-FRIENDLY CITY their difficulties by means of improving ac- cessibility to the city’s spaces and servic- es, as many people have expressed in the various participation contexts.. n Municipal activities and experiences This section details the municipal activi- ties and experiences presented at the 3rd Voices of the Elderly Convention. These are examples that give evidence as to how this dimension is encompassed in municipal planning and in the initiatives developed by the organisations and groups where older people participate. Overall, they re- veal various aspects of the cooperation between local government and the public. activity that brings young people, adults and older people together. Linking cul- Both the Green Strategic Plan and the ture to the use of public spaces can also Safety Plan are two examples of municipal be a way of bringing older people to parks: courses of action that include new prob- from excursions to organised lectures on lems and challenges. The two plans cov- poems and other literary genres. er very diverse aspects in their aims and in the interventions designed to achieve Improvements in neighbourhood shops them. New uses for parks or the develop- to make them more adapted to the needs ment of participation activities are topics of the elderly were also noted at the work that have been discussed by the elderly, area. Older people can identify what shops at the same time as it must be ensured is must do to make their daily lives easier that both parks and squares are spaces for and thus begin to work in creating the Age- interaction between people. The “Physical friendly Establishments brand for shops, activity and company in parks” and “Urban bars, offices and other establishments. In order to achieve this, it is not only impor- tant that the Elderly Advisory Council and associations cooperate with the City Coun- cil and retail organisations, it is also nec- essary to make shops aware so they are more adapted to the needs of older people. In terms of the documents of the Elderly Advisory Council presented at the 3rd Con- “Linking culture to the use vention, the “Living document on rights and of public spaces can also be liberties of dependent older people” refers a way of bringing older people the to right for society to be aware of and to parks: from excursions sensitive to the difficulties of dependent to organised lectures on poems older people. For society to be sensitive to and other literary genres.” 56 BARCELONA, AGE-FRIENDLY CITY gardens” illustrate new ways for people to tions (environmental and social), the eco- interact with the unbuilt environment. The nomic sector (liberal companies, associa- former also shows older people’s capacity tions, professionals), experts (universities, for response and the latter evidences the professional schools, research centres) multitude of benefits – individual, group or and other authorities (Provincial Council of collective – that an activity can generate. Barcelona, Generalitat de Catalunya, Bar- celona Metropolitan Area); representing The Green Strategic Plan the City Council is the Environment Area, other municipal departments and areas, Barcelona is a city where the population as well as other municipal councils. The demands more green as a basic aspect of quality of life. Montse Rivero suggests that aims of this participatory process are to new problems or challenges emerge: con- share in identifying current urban green servation of biodiversity, climate change, spaces, agreeing on long-term aims and at the same time as a different social de- gathering proposals for preparing the ac- mand. Therefore there must be a new con- tion plan (5-10 years). ceptual framework that understands the city’s green system as a first-rate ecologi- The strategic lines set out by the different cal and social infrastructure. A conceptual dimensions of the Plan are: framework that includes: management - Planning green spaces to increase their and maintenance, greenness in the region, presence, looking for balanced distribu- communication and education, historical tion. and regional diversity, social and health aspects, composition, structure and green - Improving connectivity through green ecological services. corridors. - Designing green spaces considering The provisional scope of the plan has long- their environmental services and inte- term aims (twenty years) and actions to be grating the risks resulting from climate developed within the next 5-10 years. change. The Green Strategic Plan’s participation - Promoting the use and enjoyment of gar- process relies on various agents: institu- dens, responding to new public uses. Did you know... • Construction on the first recreational areas for dogs began in 2005. By the end of 2010, there were 120 areas of dogs, almost half of which are recreational areas, with a total area of 28,287 m2. • Trees extract 5,000 net tonnes of CO2 and 305 tonnes of local air pollutants every year in Barcelona. • The five tree species that have become part of the city’s identity are banana (in Eixample), orange (since medieval times), date palm, cypress and pine. 57 BARCELONA, AGE-FRIENDLY CITY - Creating opportunities for interaction and participation in conserving green spaces. - Preserving and valuing the historic her- itage of gardens. - Conserving and improving natural herit- age and biodiversity. - Managing green spaces with efficiency and sustainability criteria. - Promoting information, training and working online regarding the value of green heritage. - Improving knowledge about green. Barcelona Safety Plan 2009-2011 In terms of the area of coexistence, uses of public space and safety, there are dif- The Safety Plan is a tool for planning pub- ferent courses of action: 1) preserving lic policies for public safety in the city as public space as a place of coexistence with a whole and in its districts, where Elena respect to dignity and the rights of others Moss indicates that four strategic areas and the existing diversity in Barcelona; have been identified in relation to insecu- 2) facilitating free access and enjoyment rity and the challenges of public safety in of streets, parks, squares and spaces to Barcelona. These areas are: the percep- meet and interact and 3) identifying and tion of safety in urban areas; coexistence, managing conflicts of coexistence that uses of public space and safety; preven- arise from the use of public spaces before tion and control of criminal activity and lo- a safety issue occurs. cal management of public safety. Did you know... • According to public perception and evaluation, green spaces are the spaces that make the city human, that give it personality, generate a sense of belonging, provide variation, break up the characteristic grey infrastructure and socialise. • One course of action in the Green Strategic Plan is to promote the use and enjoyment of parks and gardens, responding to new public uses and preparing a plan for social uses, adapting spaces to new needs, undertaking dynamising activities, improving them with leisure and health facilities and installing public toilets in the parks. 58 BARCELONA, AGE-FRIENDLY CITY Actions to promote coexistence in public spaces that have been carried out include the following: advising about the rights and rules of coexistence, promoting re- sponsible neighbourship, encouraging the role of schools as a confluence of public creation, in addition to cultural and sport- ing activities, and promoting coexistence through partnership and public partici- pation. The Plan also includes actions to improve peaceful coexistence between vehicles and pedestrians through educa- tion for respectful and safe mobility, ini- tiatives to increase safety around educa- tional institutions, as well as measures to reduce accidents. Conflicts of coexistence are also a work aim of the Plan. Shared identification systems for conflicts of co- improve the physical and mental health of existence are being promoted under the the elderly, it also promotes awareness criteria of identifying and managing con- and confidence among attendees, and fur- flicts of coexistence in the use of public thermore, the elderly in the neighbour- spaces before a safety issue occurs. hood are doing new, different activities. As for managing conflicts of coexistence, Barcelona Urban Gardens Network different criteria are being developed: dissuasive presence in the proximity of This is a scheme promoted by Barcelona any spaces with a greater likelihood of City Council’s Environment Area. concentrating conflicts of coexistence or insecurity, public co-responsibility in The project seeks to incorporate older preventing and managing conflicts, the people into environmental improvement penalty system and conflict management activities through growing garden produce services. according to the principles of biological agriculture. Paquita Surribas explains that Physical activity and company in parks this involves small plots of land between 25 and 40 m2 that are awarded by compe- This is an scheme promoted by the Elderly tition to people aged 65 and over who are Volunteers Group, and also involving the registered in the district where the garden Nou Barris District Elderly Committee. is located. Participation in the urban gar- dens not only improves the quality of life Given the lack of space in houses, Amparo of the gardeners through physical activity, Cid explains that a group of people decided if also facilitates the creation of a network to do gymnastics led by a professional in a of new relationships between them. Fur- park near their homes. Over time, and due thermore, the urban gardens also benefit to meeting every day, they have ended up the city as a whole: they form new green forming an interrelated group. Since then, spaces, and they are used to promote en- the activity has gone beyond simple physi- vironmental education by holding activities cal exercise and has become a group and with schools, which also strengthens inter- social interaction activity. Not only does it generational coexistence. 59 BARCELONA, AGE-FRIENDLY CITY n Conclusions and proposals for the future Space for public use is space for all the public to coexist. The configuration of urban space and the elements that make it up determine the things that older people can use it for. Bar- celona has important architectural heritage and many identifying symbols linked to street furniture. Efforts must be made to preserve them. The Elderly Advisory Council values the city’s transformation effort to make it more ac- cessible, more green, more beautiful and more friendly for everyone very positively. The conversion of streets into pedestrian areas is a good measure for reclaiming a quieter and cleaner public space. The public’s proposals, expressed at different times in the participatory process and during the 3rd Convention, outline courses of action for developing the Barcelona, Age-friendly City project, courses in which involvement of older people is key. The following points il- lustrate a wide range of actions to be developed: n Guaranteeing that renovation of pub- the pavement and making pedestrian lic space is aware of both aesthetics and rights compatible with the use of bicy- function, and that it creates neighbour- cles, while ensuring a comfortable and hood identity; with comfortable, good- safe public space for older people. looking street furniture and suitably n Promoting the use of parks and other equipped with services (toilets, bench- outdoor spaces with cultural and physi- es). cal activity initiatives: “Outdoor culture n Continuing improving accessibility to and exercise make ageing healthier”. public spaces, eliminating stairs and n Working to make neighbourhood inclines as far as possible by installing shops more adapted to the needs of lifts, mechanical walkways or escala- older people under the slogan “Shops tors. and establishments that make life more n Working resolutely to prevent acci- comfortable”. dents involving older people in public roadways by improving the condition of 60 BARCELONA, AGE-FRIENDLY CITY Housing Resident contributions: findings of the qualitative research In the housing dimension, the elderly have drawn attention to one of the char- acteristic problems of Barcelona city: land constraints and the subsequent need to The information control property speculation and empty on the services that flats that are unusable or in disrepair. can be requested The elderly also feel that a strong empha- and the relevant sis is placed on the difficulties of housing advisory services access for young people, while some eld- needs to be more erly people also have specific needs that widely available. need to be addressed and are not always given enough importance. In this regard, they consider subsidised and assisted housing, together with financial aid for minor household reforms, as very posi- n Conditions for access to flats tive measures. However, there is a rather and their features widespread feeling that the budget is in- sufficient, that the information on the fi- One of the main impediments to hous- nancial aid does not reach everybody and ing access for the elderly is the financial that administrative procedures and long condition; pensions are often very low, es- waiting lists often pose a major barrier. pecially among the elderly, and rents are The elderly also have a high regard for the too high (as is the case when contracts guidance and advice given by the housing are renewed). This issue is too important offices in each district. to ignore, so they suggest giving priority to financial grants and reducing waiting times to prevent elderly people from find- ing themselves in a state of helplessness. The lack of public places in social housing, assisted housing and homes is a matter of “...the elderly also have great concern for the elderly. These serv- a high regard for the guidance ices have a very important function that is and advice offered by difficult to cover in other ways. They see the housing offices the difference between the number of pub- in the different districts.” lic places available and the number of ap- 61 BARCELONA, AGE-FRIENDLY CITY “...the forums highlighted as possible to the neighbourhood of the ap- a common concern for the location plicant, which is essential for maintaining of assisted and social housing the individual’s informal support networks. and nursing homes: attention has been drawn to the importance of the fact that all these housing Some professionals have also mentioned options are located as close cases in which neighbourhood relocation as possible to the neighbourhood was seen as an opportunity. of the applicant...” On the subject of housing options, senior citizens referred several times to pro- plications that remain on the waiting list as grammes seen as alternatives. These very disturbing. For the elderly, it is impor- included Llars compartides (Shared tant that places are allocated not by a draw Households) and the Viure i conviure (Liv- or on the basis of financial issues, but that ing Together) programme. They consider they also take into account the functional independence of the applicant. For exam- these initiatives to be very attractive but ple, elderly people regret that the criteria not well known. Hence, the Council ought are sometimes not sufficiently flexible and to extend and spread knowledge of these that the specific features of individual cas- programmes and introduce new projects es are not taken into account. Moreover, inspired by the principles underpinning many people are not aware of the informa- them. tion needed to begin these procedures. The information on the services that can be re- quested and the relevant advisory services n Ageing at home: accessibility needs to be more widely available. Lastly, and reforms the forums highlighted a common concern for the location of assisted and social hous- Elderly people usually prefer to grow old ing and nursing homes: attention has been in their homes. This means that grants for drawn to the importance of the fact that all adapting flats are very important to these these housing options are located as close groups, given that they determine the dif- Did you know... • 73% of over-65s own the home in which they live, while 22.1% live in rented housing and, of these, 24.8% live in housing built before 1900. • Several studies indicate that adapting the homes of people with disabilities contributes both to a reduction in their personal care needs and to improved self- esteem and satisfaction. • One of the main actions in terms of accessibility is a considerable increase in grants for the installation of lifts; from 2008 to 2010, lifts were installed in 710 buildings, which has benefited the residents of 10,350 flats. 62 BARCELONA, AGE-FRIENDLY CITY ference between continuing to live at home and having to move out. The forums re- ...the issue of most garded programmes such as home adapta- concern for the tion programmes as very positive, but the elderly is the absence widespread ignorance of this public aid was of lifts, as this can also noted. The need to increase the budg- lead to serious ets for these services was also mentioned. and unnecessary situations of isolation. Another aspect mentioned during the dis- cussions is that it is often harder for the middle classes to make the necessary ad- aptations to their flats: their financial sta- tus is not sufficiently unfavourable for them to qualify for grants, but they do not have the money to pay for them out of their own pockets. In these cases, elderly people be- lieve that it is necessary to revise the cri- teria used to award grants and to consider the creation of low-interest government loans for the elderly middle classes. Regarding the reform of common areas in blocks of flats, it was noted that poor ac- wash their hands of the situation and fail cessibility to the building can have a major to give their support to the initiative. Under impact on everyday life. The structural bar- current legislation, a simple majority is re- riers most often mentioned included the im- quired to approve a reform in the building. possibility of installing a lift in the building, Hence, elderly people consider that this heavy doors at building entrances, steps requirement should be made more flexible without ramps, steps that are too high or when it comes to a basic need for any of its narrow, and ramps or stairs without hand- residents. Another option is that this factor rails. Undoubtedly, the issue of most con- be taken into account in the criteria for al- cern for the elderly is the absence of lifts, locating flats within the framework of so- as this can lead to serious and unnecessary cial housing. Some elderly people indicated situations of isolation. In general, the sub- an interest in the possibility of exchanging sidised installation of lifts is prioritised as a assets for Council-run assisted housing or solution. However, it is not uncommon for the creation of other options (public or pri- flat owners or residents of the building to vate) to allow people whose income is too high to access assisted housing in order to take advantage of this resource. In terms of reforms inside flats, elderly people expressed concern for the numbers of people who pay for these adaptations out “The forums regarded programmes such as home of their own pockets, either because they adaptation programmes as very were denied a grant or because they did not positive, but the widespread know that they existed. Hence, they con- ignorance of this public aid was sider that more awareness campaigns are also noted.” needed to inform people about the public 63 BARCELONA, AGE-FRIENDLY CITY services they can apply for. Another prob- “Those who live in nursing lematic situation mentioned in relation to homes have noted how flat refurbishment is where the owner puts important it is for the lifts up resistance; some elderly people believe in facilities where older that it ought to be possible to carry out ma- people receive care to be jor works to adapt the residence for per- wide enough to accommodate sonal safety reasons even when the land- several wheelchairs in order lord is opposed to them. The City Council to facilitate the movement of people with mobility should also conduct regular inspections difficulties.” of the interiors of rented flats to check the safety of the structures and other basic ele- ments such as pipes, leaks, poor ventilation and the lack of basic facilities (shower, toi- let, heating, lift). Carers have drawn attention to the fact that On the subject of accessibility, profession- bathroom doors are often too narrow for als also stressed the need for more infor- wheelchairs. Elderly homosexuals have de- mation on support products to facilitate scribed the shared housing initiative imple- mobility and housing use. One of the lines mented from time to time for people with of improvement they suggest is to priori- HIV who are at a high risk of exclusion when tise the occupation of lower floors by the they are left homeless. elderly, to create a stock of emergency so- cial housing by encouraging the initiative Those who live in nursing homes have of non-profit organisations and to ensure noted how important it is for the lifts in fa- monitoring by the social services for elderly cilities where older people receive care to people with housing problems. be wide enough to accommodate several wheelchairs in order to facilitate the move- ment of people with mobility difficulties. There is a clear concern among people liv- ing alone at home who receive home care services that their rent will be increased following home improvements and nec- essary changes such as the adaptation of bathrooms or the installation of lifts. As a result, many elderly people do not begin these reforms. They also mention the im- portance of being aware that the Housing Offices offer information on the rights of citizens in relation to these issues. The group of elderly homosexuals and the group of carers concur with the contribu- There is an interest tions made in the forums and ask that flat in creating sharing be encouraged among older peo- supervised shared ple. There is also an interest in creating su- flats for people pervised shared flats for people who need who need care care all day long. This would prevent the all day long. isolation of dependent people living alone; a 64 BARCELONA, AGE-FRIENDLY CITY professional carer could care for a number assment, so the work that can be done by of people without having to making multiple the Housing Offices or the Bar Associa- trips and it could be arranged in large flats tion programme, which offers assistance in Barcelona that are currently empty or in these situations, is considered positive. occupied by elderly people who live alone Neighbours and family also play an impor- and are interested in this initiative. tant role in helping elderly people address abuse from landlords and report situa- One last point mentioned by the elderly in tions of injustice. relation to growing old at home concerns the measures that could be taken to pre- vent falls. In general, there is a lack of in- formation on what people can do to prevent falls and adapt their homes; the elderly be- The 3rd Convention: lieve that this advice should be spread and a good way to do so would be to give talks at contributions and results centres for the elderly. n The housing debate n Safety in the home The workspace of the Convention on hous- The elderly also discussed safety in the ing discussed improving the dissemina- home, observing that they would like more tion of housing information among the information on how to prevent robberies elderly under the title “Adapt your home and fires. They suggest that this could be and make your life safer and more com- done by hosting more talks with police of- fortable!”. The initiative proposes that or- ficers and fire-fighters. They also believe ganisations for the elderly find out about that it would be very useful for people with available aid and hold talks on the subject. mobility difficulties to be able to make The individual experience of elderly peo- complaints from their homes, since it is ple who have adapted their homes is that not always easy for them to get to a police it allows them to go about their day-to-day station to do so. lives better. The aim, therefore, is to en- courage the elderly to do things to make Another recurring issue in the forums re- their homes safer and more comfortable, lated to the conflict of interests that some- such as raising awareness of measures to times arises between tenants and their prevent falls in the home. In the discus- landlords. They believe that the mediation sion, mention was made of the fact that of another person could help the parties active groups in residences should take to reach a compromise. This figure would responsibility for disseminating this in- also be useful in disputes between resi- formation; there was also an interest in dents in a building. creating a network among organisations to share information on housing. Other The biggest type of conflict with landlords aspects mentioned were the effectiveness or property managers is property harass- of word of mouth for spreading informa- ment. This is a problem for the elderly that tion, the importance of information that is made worse because they often do not has been adapted and does not generate know that the situation they are in is ille- mistrust, and the difficulties in raising in- gal or illegitimate. The prevailing view in terest in and increasing attendance at the the forums is that there are major obsta- informative talks already being held. It cles to reporting cases of property har- was also pointed out that dissemination 65 BARCELONA, AGE-FRIENDLY CITY is limited, especially with regard to safety “Intergenerational cohabitation issues. Intergenerational cohabitation has has sparked interest sparked interest and the need to deter- and the need to determine mine the mechanisms guaranteeing its the mechanisms guaranteeing smooth operation has been noted. its smooth operation has been noted.” The Senior Citizens Advisory Council has made reference to several housing issues in the documents it presented at the Third Convention. The “Open document on the rights and freedoms of the dependent eld- life of older people in their homes; to make erly” covers the right to choose where one the procedures for the awarding of assist- lives – where this is possible and desired – ance for the payment of rents more flexi- and to have access to quality care services ble and for these to take effect quickly, and in the vicinity that may be required from to continue supporting elderly people who time to time. are victims of property harassment. Likewise, in the “Declaration of the Sen- Moreover, the Advisory Council has ac- ior Citizens Advisory Council of Barcelona tively participated in designing and moni- on the financial situation and risk of so- toring the implementation of the Assisted cial exclusion of the elderly”, the Coun- Housing Plan and has sat on the Assess- cil includes a section on housing. In this ment and Admissions Committee since its section, it makes a number of requests constitution. of Barcelona City Council: to continue to construct new housing developments with services for the elderly; to increase the n Municipal actions funding for adapting housing to the needs and experiences of dependent people or those with limited mobility in order to improve the quality of This section describes the municipal ac- tions and experiences presented at the Third Convention “Voices of the Elderly”. They are examples of how this dimension is reflected in the municipal planning and in the initiatives implemented by organisa- tions and groups in which elderly people participate. Overall, they reveal diverse aspects of cooperation between govern- ment and citizens. In the housing dimension, it was decided to describe the various programmes under- way, assisted housing, grant programmes for the installation of lifts and improved accessibility. These programmes combine initiatives specifically for the elderly with others aimed at citizens in general, which is also a feature of municipal actions in other areas. 66 BARCELONA, AGE-FRIENDLY CITY The three experiences described offer with common areas and community fa- three approaches to addressing the hopes cilities on the ground floor. The Barce- and concerns expressed by older peo- lona Municipal Housing Board develops ple in relation to housing: “Let’s get out” and manages the blocks of flats and the highlights the capacity of communities for Social Action and Citizenship Department helping elderly people living in isolation of the City Council is responsible for the in their homes because the building does management of the services. There are not have a lift, the Joan Torras Assisted general services (reception, cleaning and Housing Plan is a prime example of how maintenance of common areas, laundry to encourage adaptation and integration in facilities, registration for services, sub- new environments, new housing and, very scription to the care line), social support often, new neighbourhoods, while “Inter- (individual social care, assistance in the generational housing blocks” is based on use of neighbourhood resources and help the premise of encouraging contact be- with procedures) and personal support ac- tween different generations applied to the cording to conditions and demand (month- design of spaces. ly cleaning, odd jobs, personal care). The initiative is addressed at over-65s who are Housing and the elderly independent in their daily activities but who require housing or have issues with The actions of Barcelona City Council in accessibility or living at home and have an housing matters, described by Lluís Fajarí, annual income of less than 2.5 times the are based on two lines: a focus on the spe- IPREM (public revenue index), which is cific housing demands of the elderly, ad- €24,604.43. Flats are awarded on a points equate housing adapted to capabilities basis and the contract is for use and resi- through assisted housing, and improved dence. living conditions and accessibility through diverse initiatives, such as grants for the The programme of grants for the installa- rehabilitation and adaptation of interiors tion of lifts includes financial assistance, or the lift installation programme. legal and technical advice, and collabo- ration with the installers. It applies to all Flats in the assisted housing system have blocks in which a lift can technically be in- a useful area of 40-42 m2 (bedroom, liv- stalled without having a major effect on the ing room, kitchen and adapted bathroom), structure of the building (6,851 buildings). Did you know... • In 2010, 281 assisted flats were made available for elderly residents, thus making a total of 1,210 flats in the city. • Under the Barcelona Housing Plan 2008-2016, the construction of assisted housing for the elderly will continue, with the development of some 2,000 flats with these characteristics. • The role of the Integrated Housing Office Network is to manage funding for rehabilitation, social housing access, rent subsidies, housing pools and support for issues related to private housing. 67 BARCELONA, AGE-FRIENDLY CITY Other programmes have the goal of im- nator of Organisations of Poble Sec, spe- proving living conditions and accessibility. cifically the commissions for Health and These include the removal of structural the Elderly. The project received funding barriers to improve access to the building from the Public Health Agency of Barce- and its common areas, and the elimination lona, UNNIM’s Social Projects programme of slopes and the programme for the ad- and from the Generalitat of Catalonia. aptation of interiors, as part of the Home Care Services (removal of barriers, ad- In the Poble-Sec neighbourhood, there are aptation of facilities, elimination of damp, 300 elderly people living alone in physical refurbishment of sanitary ware, etc.). The isolation in their homes, in blocks of flats purpose of this initiative is to guarantee without a lift. How can these residents the basic adaptation of housing to the resume any social activity in their envi- over-65s, people with limited autonomy, ronment? As explained by Elvira Cerro, the disabled, people on low incomes, and Eduard Garcia and Eva Galofré, in order those who cannot be cared for by their to address this situation, the commissions families. for Health and the Elderly of the Commu- nity Plan of Poble-Sec use the home care census of health facilities to implement The city has a Housing Office Network, the “Let’s get out” project. The initiative is which is an information and management aimed primarily at getting to know these point for all housing issues (entry in the people, who have been unable to leave the Applicants Register, rehabilitation grants, house for six months or more, and sec- rental assistance, information and legal ondly, to create bonds of trust in order to advice on rental agreements, mediation get them to participate in weekly group and monitoring of possible cases of prop- outings in the company of volunteers and erty harassment, etc.). other elderly people. Let’s get out. Community Plan of Poble- The organisations and individuals in- Sec volved, which include professionals and The “Let’s get out” experience was imple- volunteers, work together on coordinated mented as part of the Community Plan of joint actions to achieve this aim. They host Poble-Sec with the support of the Coordi- group outings with volunteers once the professionals have picked up the individu- als from their homes and helped them down the stairs using a stair lift and adapt- ed transport service. They also make reg- ular follow-up visits and telephone calls. The project, currently in the consolida- tion phase, has been carried out under the Catalan Neighbourhood Improvement Law and is included in the Neighbourhood Health Programme of the Public Health Agency, which has confirmed the bene- fits of the project for its participants and launched similar initiatives in other parts of the city. Indeed, the community plans are being shaped as an excellent way of promoting 68 BARCELONA, AGE-FRIENDLY CITY Did you know... • Financial assistance is available for vulnerable groups for the payment of rent or for assistance with accommodation. • The Housing Plan 2008-2016 will continue the actions to prevent property harassment and overcrowding and to promote the use of empty housing and ensure compliance with the obligation of repair and maintenance. the implementation of innovative actions ing residents where necessary to use the that are often “micro” in nature, accom- network of resources in their area (medi- panied by a strong rooting in the environ- cal facilities, bank, chemist, markets, ment; this feature adds to the positive ef- social services...), and 3) the integration fects of the initiative for older people: their phase, where residents use the services increased visibility. and participate in the everyday life and programmes of activities of the neigh- Joan Torras Assisted Housing Plan and bourhood. participatory entities This is an experience launched by Bar- To encourage the participation of hous- celona City Council. The organisation re- ing residents in these activities, the As- sponsible for its management is the As- sociation of Welfare and Development sociation of Welfare and Development. – the organisation that manages the fa- cility – holds talks and workshops for the The neighbourhood integration plan whole community, as well as outings and seeks to put an end to the isolation and celebrations. The housing residents also social stigma often attached to the eld- participate in community initiatives. erly. Magdalena Alum and Carolina Car- al explain that assisted housing has two Intergenerational housing blocks aims: firstly, it improves the immediate environment of its elderly users, guaran- This experience was launched by the Fed- teeing decent housing conditions and re- eration of Catalan Organisations of Senior vitalising common areas, and secondly, it Citizens, Women and Families with the sup- stimulates the conditions of the immedi- port of the Sol Verd SCCL cooperative, the ate environment by encouraging coexist- Iser Foundation and the J. Valiente Pulido ence and social cohesion. It also promotes Foundation – Protective Community Action better relations with the neighbourhood for Ageing. in common areas around the themes of culture, leisure, sport and health, among The aim of the project is to outline and dis- other areas, and in accordance with the seminate housing projects based on crite- Action Plan of the District of Sant Andreu. ria that will encourage relationships be- tween their users through common areas The three phases of this plan are: 1) the and other elements that can be used jointly acceptance phase, both for the service by the users of the housing and individuals and for the neighbourhood; 2) the adap- of different generations. As explained by tation phase, which includes accompany- Eduard García, the common areas and the 69 BARCELONA, AGE-FRIENDLY CITY distribution and characteristics of the hous- With this aim, a pilot project has been out- ing and services are regarded as key ele- lined and structural proposals are being ments. It is therefore important to plan and collected in architectural projects through encourage the development of residential the convening of the second “A ‘home’ for buildings designed to promote intergener- life” awards (Protective Community Action ational and solidary relationships between for Ageing) 2010-11, organised by the J. Va- users and occupants. It is also necessary liente Pulido Foundation and by the Barce- to develop concepts to rationalise the use lona section of the Professional Association of the available spaces and land, saving of Architects of Catalonia in order to spread energy and promoting the use of renew- ideas, raise awareness among the authori- able energy and, ultimately, emphasising ties and secure the commitment of private the convenience of a type of housing that economic agents. stimulates and facilitates intergenerational solidarity and constitutes a key element of a city for all. n Conclusions and future proposals Housing is a right closely related to the dignity of the individual and, as such, is recognised in the Constitution. Elderly people demand the right to choose where they live, where this is possible, and to have access to quality care services in the vicinity that they may require from time to time. The Senior Citizens Advisory Council has always paid special attention to the housing prob- lems of the elderly and is actively involved in monitoring the city housing policy. The proposals of residents suggested at different points of the participatory process and during the Third Convention set down lines of work for implementing the “Barcelona, a sen- ior-citizen friendly city” project, in which the participation of the elderly is crucial. Below is a list of wide-ranging actions to be introduced: n To continue to implement the poli- n To ensure that the message “Adapt cies already underway and increase the your home and make your life safer and range of assisted housing for the elderly more comfortable!” reaches the eld- and social housing specifically for senior erly by organising comprehensible and citizens, and to increase the grants avail- practical promotional activities offering able for adapting and improving housing, information on the grants available and for the installation of lifts and for assist- the purpose of the Housing Offices. ance with the payment of rents. n To foster support for the creation of n To combat the property harassment teams in organisations and centres for suffered by many older people and en- the elderly that can provide information sure that they have the necessary infor- on housing issues and where to go, and mation and support. to encourage networking among organ- isations interested in housing issues. 70 BARCELONA, AGE-FRIENDLY CITY Social and health services Resident contributions: Both the professionals and the elderly stressed the importance of increased coor- findings of the dination between health and social care in qualitative research matters relating to senior citizens. n Social services Elderly people praised the smooth run- ning of many aspects of social and health The elderly drew attention to the distance services. Nonetheless, in the forums, they between social services facilities and the also mentioned many areas with room for real needs of the city. They appreciate that improvement. Some of the main concerns the resources have increased and that relate to lack of funds, insufficient coverage care in general is improving, but they also of services and waiting lists. Another aspect make the point that the insufficient cover- discussed was how the elderly are treated age of services reduces their quality and by professionals, since they are not always efficiency. The fact that there are social satisfied with the level of care received. The workers at primary care facilities is seen elderly are concerned about the possibil- as positive, although the need for special- ity of being dependent on others as they ised training in the elderly is highlighted. get older. They believe that organisations should host talks and other initiatives to en- It was suggested that the number of ac- courage elderly people and give them the tions to detect and address the needs of opportunity to voice their concerns about elderly people living alone be increased, the things that affect them, since there is with home visits by professionals, for ex- a wide variety of situations, living condi- ample. Moreover, if effort is put into coor- tions, aspirations and values among elderly people. It was also noted that some elderly people are not informed about the Govern- ment grants they can apply for. Moreover, the elderly highlighted the joint responsibil- ity of citizens and the importance of people doing what they can to deal with problems themselves with the help of others, such as participating in community projects. “The elderly are concerned about the possibility of being dependent on others as they get older. They believe that organisations should host talks and other initiatives...” 71 BARCELONA, AGE-FRIENDLY CITY “The subject of care at home have time to rest properly, they will leave was mentioned...The problems their jobs sooner or later. Social Services described relate to the frequent Home Care must also be allowed more changes in family workers time to meet the needs of the elderly. One and the need to ensure effective way of optimising this time, which has al- but close and friendly care, ready been introduced at certain times, is which is not incompatible with respect for privacy to assign workers to families in their own and professionalism.” neighbourhoods or within the same neigh- bourhood, in order to cut down travel time. The subject of care at home was mentioned dination, clubs and other centres for the both in interviews with the women who use elderly could also detect and refer cases the home care services and with the group of individuals at risk to the social services. of carers. The problems described relate The care line plays an important role in to the frequent changes in family workers combating loneliness and offering safety and the need to ensure effective but close and support. In general, the care received and friendly care, which is not incompat- is considered to be very adequate but the ible with respect for privacy and profes- service ought to be extended. sionalism. The professionals have a good opinion of Regarding day centres, elderly people proactive programmes for identifying and argued that the price is not always af- caring for elderly people living alone of fordable. They consider them a very use- whom the social services have no knowl- ful service and have a good opinion of the edge. transport service for people who cannot get there by any other means. Social Services Home Care is also pivotal and although the service has been extend- On the subject of nursing homes, the ed there is still much room for improve- elderly indicate that the care tends to be ment. One of the main demands is that more professional in public facilities than Social Services Home Care workers be in private ones. What is common – and dis- able to work in decent conditions: if these turbing – to all is the frequent staff turno- professionals are poorly paid and do not ver. Poor hygiene and abuse are a reality Did you know... • In 2009, the city had 34 social services centres and almost 400 professionals; by 2010, these figures had increased to 37 social services centres and 612 professionals. The map of social services centres of Barcelona will be completed in 2011, with 40 centres and almost 650 professionals. • The “Shared meals” services are addressed to people aged 65 and over who need support to cover the need for a nutritionally correct diet and a space for relations with a professional who welcomes people and encourages bonds of friendship and connection between users and the community. 72 BARCELONA, AGE-FRIENDLY CITY in some homes and elderly people think that an active stance needs to be adopted ...the elderly welcome to intervene in these situations and re- the creation of the port known cases. They argue that more Council of Residents... inspections and continuous work side-by- as a space for partici- pation in which side with professionals are required. proposals, complaints and criticism from They consider the prices of private homes residents can be heard. to be very high, which is a cause for con- cern as there are not enough places in public homes and long waiting lists. In this respect, they point out that initiatives such as assisted housing should be encour- aged in order to reduce waiting lists for less severe cases. Assisted housing pre- vents very independent people from feel- ing trapped in environments like nursing homes, where people are much more af- fected by dependency, often because they suffer from dementia. Moreover, elderly people point out the need to start organis- ing themselves in order to come up with community alternatives to homes (such as cism from residents can be heard. This housing cooperatives). Likewise, the eld- initiative should be extended to private erly are satisfied at having urged the con- homes. struction of new nursing homes and as- sisted housing through the Senior Citizens Elderly persons living in nursing homes Advisory Council. have placed a strong emphasis on the care There are some aspects of nursing homes they receive from the professional carers that could greatly improve the well-being at the facilities, stressing the importance of their residents: locating the facility in of being heard, of mutual understanding the home neighbourhood of its residents and of the mutual affection between car- allows informal support networks to be ers and residents, which they regard as maintained; having staff of the home ac- components of good care. Their biggest company residents on walks or establish- concern is the potential lack of care for ing more flexible visiting times are other residents who are more dependent and ways in which the home’s isolation from their helplessness in situations of inad- the outside world can be avoided; closer equate care, neglect or abuse. They point ties with the surroundings is viewed as out that other residents could play a key positive because it increases transpar- role in these situations because they can ency and creates more opportunities for offer help and support. interaction and a choice of activities for residents. Lastly, the elderly welcome the Elderly people are sensitive to the excess creation of the Council of Residents, which burden shouldered by family carers and is mandatory in all homes under the Social highlight this important responsibility, es- Services Law, as a space for participation pecially when the person being cared for in which proposals, complaints and criti- has dementia. They stress the value of 73 BARCELONA, AGE-FRIENDLY CITY counselling and logistical assistance. For the fact that every district has health facili- example, it would be beneficial to create ties (primary care clinic, hospitals) as very free centres to care for people with de- positive. They also place importance on the mentia, freeing up the family carer to do different types of home care, such as re- other things. Family members who care habilitation and doctor’s visits. In addition, for dependants point to mutual help and this population segment considers that al- support groups for carers run by psychol- ways receiving care from the same team ogists as places to obtain and receive help, generates trust and a feeling of security where they can share strategies and the among patients. anxieties of everyday life as well as learn practical techniques such as relaxation. One of the areas for improvement men- The Law on promotion of personal au- tioned is the need to strike a balance be- tonomy and care for dependants is viewed tween efficiency and the quality of care. as a breakthrough in the recognition of More time should be spent on visits and non-professional carers. However, wait- reducing waiting lists to ensure good med- ing times and the non-retroactive nature ical care (for example, patients have to wait of payments have relativised many of the many months for an operation on some- benefits that this law could have. thing as simple but limiting as cataracts). Dealing with medical professionals is also The elderly, particularly the foreign-born a cause for concern among the elderly: elderly population, point to the importance they sometimes lack sufficient expertise in of regularising the work of carers and pro- geriatrics, they underestimate the symp- fessional carers in order to avoid contrib- toms in elderly people or they are insen- uting to the underground economy, often sitive in their communication and interac- carried out by illegal migrant workers. tion. Lastly, the elderly draw attention to the lack of coordination between different n Health services medical teams, although initiatives such as computerisation and unified medical On the subject of health services, elderly records could solve this problem. people have described some of the aspects that they consider to be well run: they view Primary care facilities deal with large num- bers of patients but the care is usually very compassionate and professional. Elderly people feel that the pressure on the health professionals working at these clinics should be lifted. One initiative introduced in some of the city’s primary care facilities is the coordination of its management with a board of users made up of people from the neighbourhood (e.g. neighbourhood associations). This coordination has helped improve certain management aspects of primary care facilities, so it is suggested that this model be extended to other clinics around the city. Professionals recommend that doctors write in a comprehensible way in order to 74 BARCELONA, AGE-FRIENDLY CITY “The elderly would like to the latter also often carry out tasks that be consulted when a medical other health services cannot do due to a decision has to be made and lack of resources. they want health professionals to ensure that patients take the Another aspect of relations between doc- decision in the right conditions tors and patients in hospitals concerns (without pressure, with knowledge and understanding making decisions about the patient’s life. of the consequences, etc.).” The elderly would like to be consulted when a medical decision has to be made and they want health professionals to en- sure that patients take the decision in the prevent oversights and misunderstand- right conditions (without pressure, with ings about requirements and indications. knowledge and understanding of the con- They highlight the need to set up support sequences, etc.). groups for the chronically ill in the context of primary care centres and the interest in Family carers also mention the need to drawing up a register of individuals who train health professionals and assistants visit the clinic most often. in the behavioural problems of dementia With regard to hospital care, elderly peo- sufferers, and to adapt hospital dynamics ple welcome the reductions in the hospi- and forms of interaction (respecting paces, talisation period required after surgery. recognising warning signs...) to prevent However, this development can sometimes confusion and agitation. prove contradictory because it involves cir- cumstances that doctors do not take into Elderly homosexuals point out that more account when discharging, such as when a knowledge of specific health aspects af- person lives alone and does not have the fecting gay men and women is needed necessary support to follow post-operative among health professionals. medical guidelines at home; in these cas- es, the hospital stay ought to be extended. The people cared for at home or living in As for the care received in emergency fa- homes saw the sensitivity of the health cilities, this is generally viewed as very professionals to their day-to-day problems positive. Complaints concern long waiting as good. Where this sensitivity is lacking, times and it is noted that people often use elderly people feel inhibited about sharing emergency facilities incorrectly, given that and expressing their concerns. People who Did you know... • With regard to the implementation of the Law on promotion of personal autonomy and care for dependants, as of 31 December 2010, applications for the recognition of dependency amounted to 74,596, of which 58,575 (78.77%) were graded. The total number of applications assessed as grade II or III was 41,289 (representing 70.49% of all graded applications), of which 31,758 had an Individual Care Plan (76.92%). • On a scale of 0 to 10, people aged 65 or over gave the public health services an average score of 7.2. 75 BARCELONA, AGE-FRIENDLY CITY have been in hospital mentioned the lack of “Elderly people see it as very respect they were afforded in certain situ- positive that the Targeta Rosa ations that caused them distress, such as (senior citizens discount card) when they needed to go to the bathroom includes different services and nobody accompanied them. People related to health and personal who receive care at home would like to see care, such as chiropody, as more from accompaniments to the doc- these are often too expensive tor’s surgery (hours, knowing the person for many senior citizens.” who accompanies them, that it be an extra and not lead to reductions in the help they receive to perform other tasks, etc.). Family carers described the difficulties of pointed out that if elderly people take a lot getting out of the house with dependent of medicines, it is essential to take into ac- elderly people suffering from dementia: count interactions and incompatibilities, long waits, transportation difficulties and which is not always the case. However, disorientation of the elderly person are there are ways to help the person to take just some of the aspects that cause dis- control of the medicines he or she takes: tress among carers when they have to see unified records and prescriptions are very specialists. They suggest measures such useful. They particularly welcome the ini- as easier parking and a more integrated tiative taken by certain pharmacies to pre- organisation of visits to specialists, for pare medicines in doses for ease of ad- example through the role of the geriatri- ministration, especially for elderly people cian at the hospital. With regard to hospi- who live alone or have mobility problems. tal emergency services, they suggest that They consider that this initiative should the carers and relatives of elderly people be extended further because it can make (especially dementia sufferers) accompany life easier for many people. Elderly peo- them from the very start of the visit. ple also made reference to the problem of medicines that have expired or have to be People living in homes have mentioned thrown away. One solution is that the med- the importance of fitness facilities in these icine be purchased in the exact amount centres for both exercise and rehabilita- needed. tion, and have highlighted the professional support of physiotherapists for their op- Elderly people see it as very positive that timal use. They would like to see an in- the Targeta Rosa (senior citizens discount creased interest in their health among card) includes different services related to medical professionals and a relaxation of health and personal care, such as chirop- the prescribed dietary measures that takes ody, as these are often too expensive for into account that the preferences and pri- many senior citizens. orities of the elderly person are central to their quality of life. Mental health was discussed in the forums. Elderly people are concerned about the in- Elderly people revealed a certain oppo- crease in mental health problems and the sition to the excessive tendency to pre- discrimination still suffered by sick people, scribe medicines, often based on the belief especially when they live alone. This popu- – among both doctors and patients – that lation segment stressed the importance of there are no alternatives to pharmacology providing the necessary support to these for the generation of well-being. They also people and preventing situations of loneli- 76 BARCELONA, AGE-FRIENDLY CITY ness and depression (increasingly frequent They suggest that problems among the elderly). One way of centres for the elderly promoting mental health is to encourage could be a good place to promote prevention people to take part in activities to increase activities, health self-esteem, occupation, feeling useful, education and healthy relations of support and the motivation of ageing. taking care of oneself. Elderly groups point out shortcomings in the public mental health network (for ex- ample, waiting times to see a psychothera- pist and overprescription of psychiatric medication). They are also very concerned about depression among the elderly and suicide attempts. Senior citizens adopted a very broad view of health in the forums. For example, they took into account the possibilities of linking clubs with certain aspects of health. “They suggest that centres for the elderly could be a good place to promote prevention ac- tivities, health education and healthy age- ing.” They believe that clubs for the elderly Healthy ageing is another issue that has should be linked specifically to the medical occupied a central place in the discussions facilities of their neighbourhoods because on health. Elderly people are very inter- residents of this space are especially likely ested in finding out how to promote health to require medical help; they also consider (balanced diet, exercise) and safety (such it useful to organise first-aid courses for as preventing falls) through talks at cen- elderly residents in clubs for the elderly. tres for the elderly and gyms, for example. Senior citizens believe that these spaces Senior citizens increasingly welcome the could be used for medical check-ups, as a importance attached to the need for exer- way of making contact with those who do cise (adapted to the characteristics of eld- not use the health services. erly people), and many clubs and homes al- ready put on this type of activity. However, the instructors are not always profession- als, which is a cause for concern among the elderly. They believe that if the instruc- tor is a volunteer, a professional must at least monitor the activity to make sure that the guidelines given are appropriate. Gyms “One way of promoting mental health is to encourage people are another option for exercising but their to take part in activities prices are often restrictive; they therefore to increase self-esteem, suggest subsidising gym fees to encour- occupation, feeling useful, age older citizens to embark on a healthier relations of support and lifestyle by linking health services to the the motivation of taking care network of gyms and sports centres, for of oneself.” example. 77 BARCELONA, AGE-FRIENDLY CITY The 3rd Convention: formation on and make use of measures for the prevention of dependency, the contributions and results right to evaluation and early diagnosis to ensure proper care and the promotion of The debate on social and health autonomy, the right to take part in deci-n services sions on the provision of care and support, the right to use local, quality care services as required from time to time, the right One of the topics of discussion of the to receive care from people with continu- workspaces of the Convention was how we ing and appropriate basic training and the can help make social and health services right to receive care services adapted to more friendly, in order to ensure correct level of dependence within the framework dealings and detailed information, among of a patient-based care model. other aspects, and make the services more welcoming. During the discussion, The “Declaration of the Senior Citizens Ad- resources were mentioned that promote visory Council of Barcelona on the finan- the city’s friendliness, such as the block of cial situation and social exclusion risk of facilities in Fort Pienc with its concentra- the elderly” also mentions the importance tion of services, as well as barriers, such of the adoption of Law 39/2006, on promo- as the lack of small neighbourhood shops, tion of personal autonomy and care for which hinder the introduction of initiatives dependants, and Law 12/2007, on social to help detect cases of isolation among the services in Catalonia, which have raised elderly. It was also noted that elderly peo- social rights to the fourth dimension of the ple cared for by the social services must welfare state. It is pointed out that Bar- be encouraged to participate in or set up celona’s implementation of the Municipal boards for participation in the social serv- Plan for the Elderly, the new model of ba- ices they use. sic social services and the Plan for Social Inclusion are also examples of the city The question was posed as to how to share government’s efforts to improve quality experiences that promote active and of life for the elderly and have improved healthy ageing, such as banks of support the quality and quantity of resources and products (wheelchairs, walkers, walking sticks), the collection of expired medicines, talks with the Fire Department and Police to promote safety in the home... Among other aspects, the discussion pointed out the importance of working with schools to share experiences and to familiarise chil- dren with ageing as a part of life. With regard to the Senior Citizens Advi- sory Council for the Elderly, the docu- ments submitted to the Convention also made reference to issues of social and health services. The “Open document on the rights and freedoms of the dependent elderly” covers various rights and duties referring to them: the right to receive in- 78 BARCELONA, AGE-FRIENDLY CITY Did you know... • In the 65 to 74 years age group, 5.6% of men and 16.4% of women suffered falls; in the 75 to 84 years group, 12.8% of men and 19.4% of women suffered falls, and in the over-85s group, 24.9% of men and 20.8% of women did so. • Coming from a disadvantaged social background is a factor that increases the risk of psychological suffering. Among lower classes, the risk of psychological suffering was 27.4% in women and 20.3% in men. • The most common physical activities among people aged 65 and over were walking (47.5%), swimming (18.9%) and doing gymnastics or aerobics (17.7%). services, as shown by the data provided. participate. Overall, they reveal diverse The elderly mention the importance of aspects of cooperation between govern- ensuring justice and equity without reduc- ment and citizens. ing social benefits, which would be a step backwards and require renouncing the The two municipal actions, that of basic progress made by our society. We must, social services and that entitled “Active therefore, respect the rights of the elderly and healthy ageing”, are lines of action to financial sufficiency, health care, social proposed by elderly people, their families services and the social affection and rec- and professionals and volunteers. The first ognition of their fellow citizens. describes the decisions taken by the City Council that structure the development of On the subject of health, this document the network of social services centres and contains contributions complementing the increase in professionals or the exten- those made over the course of the par- sion of canteens for shared meals in all ticipatory process: offsetting limitations districts. The municipal action for “Active on everyday living with subsidised sup- and healthy ageing” illustrates how local port products and disseminating the ad- intervention can combine principles such vance directives document with regard to as autonomy, the protection of rights and healthcare aspects and all legal protection social relations among elderly people by issues. organising the participation of institutional and community actors. n Municipal actions and experiences The three experiences provide examples implemented in different contexts. “Get This section focuses on the municipal ac- active in park” testifies to the acceptance tions and experiences described at the and success of the possibility of exercising Third “Voices of the Elderly” Convention. in parks while the “Radar” project reveals They are examples of how this dimension how coordination between residents and is reflected in municipal planning and in the social services of a district encour- the initiatives implemented by organisa- ages solidarity and effective action to pre- tions and groups in which elderly people vent loneliness and isolation among the 79 BARCELONA, AGE-FRIENDLY CITY elderly. The experience of the Municipal for all as part of a bid to strengthen the Nursing Home of Fort Pienc describes the fourth pillar of the welfare state. implementation of participation, with the – Large-scale social, labour and demo- involvement of elderly people, their fami- graphic changes (increase in ethnic and lies and professionals. All three initiatives cultural diversity, increase in the diver- testify to the convergent action of different sity of family structures, increased life actors in promoting the welfare and the expectancy, difficulties in accessing formation of responses to the interests and needs of elderly people at different employment, etc.). stages of the ageing process. – The impact of the economic crisis on many families and individuals. Conse- Basic social services quently, social services centres have seen the registration of 17,000 new us- The last five years have ushered in ma- ers in the system of basic social serv- jor changes in social services. Ramon ices between 2007 and 2010, combined Mora explained that these are structured with an increase in the complexity of the around three aspects: types of case that professionals need to deal with, essentially because the im- – A new regulatory framework (the Law pact of the three elements described on social services in Catalonia and the has increased the fragility of family situ- Law on promotion of personal autonomy ations. and care for dependants), with a signifi- cant impact on the whole population and on the elderly in particular, since they Against this backdrop, Barcelona City establish individual and universal rights Council has taken three important deci- sions: – Afford priority to social cohesion poli- cies through increased budget head- ings, more human resources for basic social services, improvements to social services centres and enhanced compu- ter software. – Set up the Municipal Institute of Social Services of Barcelona to gain in agility, flexibility and expertise and to improve the processes and results of interven- tion in basic social services. – Develop a new, city-wide model of basic social services to improve accessibility, establish uniform criteria for techni- cal processes and criteria for care that take into account the unique features of each area, further optimise resources, improve the quality of the services and transform the internal and external im- age of basic social services. 80 BARCELONA, AGE-FRIENDLY CITY These decisions have had a major im- Artazcoz explains that the Agency imple- pact on the improvement of care for the ments these principles by introducing and city’s elderly. Many of the users of social collaborating on programmes that cater services are over the age of 65 and the to health in its different dimensions: the network of accessible, comfortable, de- “Let’s get out” programme, which en- cent and safe social services centres has courages social involvement and support; been completed across the city with an classes on health for the elderly, held in increase in the number of professionals diverse neighbourhoods of the city; the working at them. The service of canteens promotion of mental health among carers for shared meals has been extended to and the elderly suffering from discrimi- all city districts. The budget for the Home nation, poverty, loneliness or the loss of Care Service has tripled while that of the loved ones, and the promotion of physical Telecare Service has doubled. In Barcelo- activity, namely through the “Barceloneta na, it is estimated that over 40,000 people step by step” and “Get active in the park” have been involved in the implementation programmes. of the Law on promotion of personal au- tonomy and care for dependants, grants to individuals and families have increased Get active in the park by more than 30% and, as set out in the This project was launched by the Depart- Law on social services in Catalonia, group ment for the Environment of Barcelona and community work has been carried out City Council and the Public Health Agency in all 73 of the city’s neighbourhoods. of Barcelona. It also involved the partici- pation of the Provincial Council of Barce- In a bid to inform the population about lona. The Barcelona Sports Institute coor- its services and to foster communication dinates the programme while the sessions between residents and social services, are run by the Sarrià-Sant Gervasi Sports social services centres organise group Association. information sessions on resources for the elderly, either at the centre or in col- laboration with other services or organi- sations in the area, giving talks at clubs or spaces for the elderly, at day centres or in community centres. Active and healthy ageing The Public Health Agency of Barcelona promotes active and healthy ageing with an emphasis on the autonomy, social rights and social relations of the elderly. Its strategic lines are social support and involvement, mental health, the environ- ment, nutrition, physical activity, the pre- vention of injuries, abuse, the abuse of ad- dictive substances (alcohol and tobacco), the use of medicines and their associated problems, and prevention services. Lucía 81 BARCELONA, AGE-FRIENDLY CITY “Get active” is a free exercise and health perform a psychosocial assessment and, programme, as described by Núria Loz- if indicators of risk are observed, profes- ano. It takes place outdoors in different sional intervention is carried out. A total parks and gardens of Barcelona and its of 139 elderly people are now equipped aim is to encourage people to exercise in with telephone systems monitored by Red order to maintain a psychologically and Cross volunteers. Volunteer neighbours socially active lifestyle, to feel better in and traders also play a part: they form a themselves and to reduce the risk of ill- “neighbourhood radar”, i.e. they are re- ness while making use of the green spac- spectfully attentive to changes in the situ- es of the city. ation of the elderly and cooperate with the social services and neighbourhood organ- The aim of the project is to promote physi- isations involved in the project. cal exercise and health in Barcelona’s parks, affecting both physical appearance For more information about the project, and the psychological, social and emo- call 932 914 325 or e-mail radars. tional state of its participants. Specifi- gentgran@gmail.com. cally, it seeks to make physical exercise a habit among the population aged over 40. It also hopes to transform the city’s parks and green spaces into a point of reference for health, active lifestyles and coexist- ence among residents through healthy activities such as Tai Chi, Chi Kung, walks and memory exercises. Radars This experiment was launched by Barce- lona City Council and carried out in the Gràcia district. The implementation of the programme involved residents, traders and people from diverse organisations and neighbourhood associations. It is a preventive community action project for the elderly that is run in the Camp d’en Grassot neighbourhood in the Grà- cia district. It was launched in 2008 in an attempt to create a more solidary and compassionate neighbourhood. Rosa Ru- bio and Joan Clota explain that the Ra- dars project has interviewed more than 200 elderly people in order to learn about their situation and needs, with door-to- door visits by Red Cross volunteers. Once the elderly population has been detected, the social services of the Gràcia District 82 BARCELONA, AGE-FRIENDLY CITY Quality and participation in the Municipal ways of participating at the nursing home: Nursing Home of Fort Pienc democratic elections of representatives of residents and their families; council of This experience was launched by the the centre composed of representatives of Area for Social Action and Citizenship of Barcelona City Council through the Joint all those involved in the facility (residents, Commission International-Foundation for families, technical team, team of assist- Healthcare Accreditation and Develop- ants, supervisors, management, company ment. and the Area for Social Action and Citizen- ship of Barcelona City Council; monthly The participation of residents and fami- management meeting with resident repre- lies is incorporated into the model of ac- sentatives; quarterly management meet- creditation of the Joint Commission Inter- ing with the families on each floor, and national as a key part of individual-based management meeting with the represent- care. Irene Peña, Antonio Gil Carvalla and atives of the Relatives Association when- Mari Luz Rodríguez describe the different ever appropriate. n Conclusions and future proposals Health and social services are essential for personal well-being throughout life, especially as we grow old, and for the well-being of the community, the generation of wealth and so- cial cohesion. It is therefore essential to create a welfare state that takes into account the rights, duties and everyday needs of the elderly. The implementation of the Catalan healthcare model and social services model, the net- work of public healthcare and the public network of social services, together with the pro- fessionals who work there, have improved quality of life for citizens in general and for the elderly in particular. We must recognise the value and quality of these services while using them responsibly. As explained in the “Open document on the rights and freedoms of the dependent elderly”, elderly people have the responsibility of getting involved in their self-care, in line with their abilities, to follow treatments and to comply with the agreed measures. The implementation of the Law on social services in Catalonia and the Law on promotion of personal autonomy and care for dependants has been essential in meeting the social needs of all citizens, most particularly the elderly. The Senior Citizens Advisory Council and the district councils of senior citizens have always had the monitoring of health and social services on their agendas and they actively partici- pate in defining public policies. The proposals of residents suggested at different points of the participatory process and during the Third Convention set down lines of work for implementing the “Barcelona, a 83 BARCELONA, AGE-FRIENDLY CITY senior-citizen friendly city” project, in which the participation of the elderly is crucial. Below is a list of wide-ranging actions to be introduced: n Guarantee full implementation of the of a social care that integrates equality Law on promotion of personal autonomy and diversity. and care for dependants within the es- n Continue placing importance on the tablished terms, considering its imple- role of geriatricians at primary care mentation as a source of employment facilities and ensuring specific training and not merely as an expense for GPs in the care of elderly people. n Promote “Senior citizen-friendly health n Introduce a wide range of actions to and social services”, identifying the situ- prevent dependency and for the preven- ations and conditions that make medical tion and early detection of mental health facilities and social services centres easy problems in the elderly, with a special and more comfortable to use for the eld- emphasis on depression. erly. Participation is key; it is important for elderly people to be active with re- n Introduce a line of action under the gard to the opportunities for participation motto “a healthy exchange”, whereby among the users of different health and elderly people and organisations can social services. share in the experiences already car- ried out, in an attempt to encourage ac- n Spread information on the criteria tive and healthy ageing. used to allocate resources and social services to promote an understanding 84 BARCELONA, AGE-FRIENDLY CITY Supportive relationships and mutual help Resident contributions: findings of the qualitative research In the dimension of supportive relation- ships and mutual help, elderly people talked about the relevance of these rela- tionships, both in everyday life and in dif- ficult times. One aspect that came up time and time again in the forums was the Elderly people define supportive relation- importance of human ships and interpersonal knowledge as relationships in the local pivotal to their well-being. These relation- context: one’s street, ships are especially important during diffi- one’s neighbourhood cult times in life: mourning, emancipation and one’s district. of one’s children, disease... Some elderly people do not usually ask for help when they need it for fear of making work for others; however, failing to express their one’s street, one’s neighbourhood and needs is an attitude that could hurt them one’s district. For example, it was pointed in the long run. out that in local shops or on neighbour- hood buses, the elderly are treated in a much more personal way, which creates One aspect that came up time and time trust and a degree of social support. How- again in the forums was the importance of ever, the customs that generated this trust human relationships in the local context: in one’s street and neighbourhood are dis- appearing, partly because of individual mobility and a waning sense of belonging to one’s neighbourhood but also because of individualistic values, which mean that increasingly fewer people are taking an “Elderly people define active role in their neighbourhoods to fos- supportive relationships and interpersonal knowledge ter local relations, and of a lack of com- as pivotal to their well-being. mitment to others. The urban planning These relationships are of public spaces can also have an effect especially important during because it is difficult to make acquaint- difficult times in life...” ances when there are no spaces in which 85 BARCELONA, AGE-FRIENDLY CITY to meet people. The elderly stressed the and their grandchildren. For example, importance of leisure activities in their community centres are a good place to neighbourhoods as a way to foster local encourage intergenerational contact be- relationships, although clearly a more cause the space of the facility is usually open and participatory attitude towards shared by people from different genera- the neighbourhood is required among tions; sadly, though, there is no real con- residents. Neighbourhood associations tact or joint activities. The suggestions for can also be useful in strengthening rela- promoting these types of relations range tionships between neighbours, along with from generating links between centres for other types of association, civic centres the elderly and schools to using nursing and libraries. homes as spaces for meeting up with chil- dren from shelters without foster families on weekends. It was argued that preconceived opinions about the elderly weakens support net- works in two ways: firstly, the elderly are n Supportive relationships often seen by others as constantly com- for difficult times plaining and always ill, and secondly, there is a tendency to adopt a paternalistic atti- The elderly are very sensitive to the prob- tude to the elderly, which has the effect of lem of loneliness. They find it worrying that making us forget that they are able to offer people could be living alone without hav- protection to others. They also make the ing their basic needs met, such as women point that elderly people should adopt an who have spent all their lives caring for open mind when it comes to young people, their families and who are now old and although this is not always the case. alone with nobody to care for them. Situ- ations of loneliness ought to be prevented, and relatives, neighbours and centres for Some professionals suggest creating so- the elderly can all play an important role cio-cultural spaces for cultural exchange, here. In order to reach people who are taking the positive values of each group already living in isolation, the elderly call and using them to combat the stereotypi- for increased institutional organisation of cal views of the rest of society. social and community services with coor- dinated action by volunteers. They believe that elderly people living alone should be Intergenerational relationships were a given proactive, personalised and regular recurring theme in the forums; elderly monitoring. people believe that these need to go be- yond relationships between grandparents Death is another topic that cropped up repeatedly in forum discussions: elderly people remarked that it is often a taboo subject with their families. Grieving is an- “Elderly people should other process that is rarely discussed and be encouraged to tell their also a risk factor for isolation. The lack of children how they wish to die communication within the family has an and to talk about issues adverse effect on the real support received or topics related to old age by the elderly. They are often unable to and death...” share their concerns with their children 86 BARCELONA, AGE-FRIENDLY CITY or talk about them openly with grandchil- burdening of the people around them, who dren. Elderly people should be encouraged will feel obliged to do more than they can to tell their children how they wish to die or believe that they ought to. and to talk about issues or topics related Centres for the elderly not only have an ed- to old age and death (delegation of long- ucational and entertainment role, they are term autonomy, advance directives, etc.). also pivotal in strengthening supportive relationships. It is nonetheless necessary Professionals and the elderly advocate the to monitor compliance of this relationship strengthening and creation of spaces to function because overcrowding in clubs host groups for mutual help, support for and the outsourcing of their management carers and bereavement care by non-prof- can reduce knowledge of individuals and it organisations. cause the demise of informal monitoring when people stop attending. They there- fore advocate restoring these functions by creating personal support groups and n Agents that make up supportive accompanying individuals to the centres, relationships calling people who are going through dif- ficult times to offer support and encourage The elderly referred to the people and them to keep going to the club, welcoming agents that constitute supportive relation- new people at the club, exchanging posi- ships for individuals in one way or another: tive experiences with other centres for the centres and clubs for the elderly, asso- elderly, setting up collaborations between ciations, community centres, volunteers, nursing homes and clubs, etc. Mention is neighbours and family. However, senior also made of certain individuals at centres citizens make the point that support should for the elderly who give newcomers an in- not be based solely on relations with rela- formal welcome and thus gain their trust. tives, friends and the local environment Lastly, the elderly expressed concern that but that institutions must also play a vital certain conditions of clubs could discrimi- role. Neglecting this issue could result in nate against more vulnerable groups: the isolation of people at risk or the over- people on low incomes may have difficul- ties paying for the courses and activities organised and very old people and those with functional difficulties could often lose out on a place on the day of enrolment be- cause they are unable to stand in queues. Both professionals and the elderly point out that hierarchical structures need to be avoided at clubs and that working on activity committees can foster social re- lationships. Some also suggest that social education professionals could bolster so- cial relationships among the elderly peo- ple who visit the centres. In addition, they make the point that putting on social and cultural activities that could interest men is one way of increasing the participation of the latter. 87 BARCELONA, AGE-FRIENDLY CITY “[Neighbourhood] relations relationships among residents within are increasingly debilitated blocks of flats; there is also the possi- by the growing trend among bility of strengthening these relations new generations to change through programmes such as the “Good their place of residence, often neighbours” project, which was generally distancing themselves from viewed as very positive by the elderly. their family.” Some professionals highlight specific problems during the summer months when elderly people are left alone while their neighbours go on their holidays. Volunteers are pivotal in personal support Lastly, the family is a source of secu- networks. The existence of functions for rity and very important company. Indeed, coordinating and supporting volunteers those without family close by are much in places like nursing homes is viewed as more vulnerable to social isolation. How- very positive. Other examples of success- ever, elderly people are witnessing a ful coordination between institutions and growing tendency to neglect the elderly volunteers that were put forward include members of the family, whether due to time banks and solidary banks with so- lack of time, the difficulty in reconciling cial services teams, which could be use- work and family or, sometimes, due to a ful for reaching people in need. However, certain lack of care among younger mem- it would appear that both society and the bers, There is a widespread perception institutions need to give them the recog- that it is difficult for children to take care nition they deserve: there are not enough of their parents when they grow old. Some grants for associations, there is often a families delegate the tasks of caring for lack of training and support for volunteers the elderly entirely to the authorities and and not enough is done to attract people they fail to assume their part of the re- who might be interested. sponsibility. Along these lines, they point Professionals and the elderly agreed on out the need to raise awareness and of- the need to increase participation in volun- fer more support to adults with respect to teer projects for strengthening supportive the care that elder members of the family relationships. may need. Elderly people are well aware of the exhaustion that care work can bring; Some family carers have indicated an in- hence, carers should receive psychologi- terest in exchanging hours of support for cal support and greater recognition for care work through time banks. They could their work. When the only option is to go therefore make use of their caring experi- into a nursing home, one of the responsi- ence to give another carer time for him or bilities of the family is to ensure that the herself and get something in return. elderly person is being treated correctly. Relations with neighbours can also be an important source of help for the eld- erly. These relations are increasingly debilitated by the growing trend among “...and encourage the elderly new generations to change their place of to learn how to maintain part residence, often distancing themselves of their free time and put from their family. Pensioners, who have limits on the demands of their more free time, can bolster and help bond families.” 88 BARCELONA, AGE-FRIENDLY CITY Flexible visiting hours are also regarded “...they point out the need to as important because family support must raise awareness and offer more continue even when a person goes into a support to adults with respect home. Family members should not feel as to the care that elder members though they are in the way. of the family may need.” Within the family, elderly people should not merely be regarded as recipients of care, since they can also provide protection to However, they emphasise the value of hav- other family members. For example, the ing neighbours whom they can trust and care of grandchildren and the family are count on in case of need and who can get rarely given enough recognition. Howev- to their home to help. They also underline er, grandparents are often overburdened the importance of knowing that the volun- with responsibilities that prevent them teers they let in are people they can trust. from doing other things outside the fam- ily (such as activities of interest to them or Elderly people living in nursing homes meeting up with friends), which leads to welcome the activities of other organisa- the weakening of their support networks. tions in the home that allow them to meet Elderly people point out the need to raise people from other generations, although awareness of this problem among their they regret that these only take place on adult children and encourage the elderly specific days such as public holidays. They to learn how to maintain part of their free mention the lack of visits from family and time and put limits on the demands of their believe that these should be made easier families. by providing a room for family visits and allowing for more flexible mealtimes if a Elderly people who are cared for at home resident has visits or has left the home to have mentioned the fact that the distance spend a day with family elsewhere. from their children makes communication difficult; they avoid talking about problems Elderly homosexuals often explain that and ailments because they feel that their they have lost all previous family support children cannot do anything about them. and some find themselves in situations of Did you know... • The district with the highest rate of isolation among over-65s is Ciutat Vella (32.5%), while the district with the lowest index in Les Corts (22.4%). (Municipal register, 2010). • Elderly people give their social and emotional support (expressing love, affection and sympathy) an average score of 84.2 (from 0 to 100), according to the 2006 Barcelona Health Survey. • The confidential social support received (i.e. having somebody they can trust with whom they share their problems and concerns) is as follows: – 76.7% of men and 75.1% of women aged 65 to 74 years. – 73.9% of men and 73.5% of women aged 75 to 84 years. – 68% of men and 63.6% of women aged over 84 years. 89 BARCELONA, AGE-FRIENDLY CITY distress and isolation as they grow older. The Convention workspace also posed Nonetheless, they value the ease with the question of how to improve the iden- which they can generally share their ex- tification and care of elderly people who periences and struggles with one another. are alone and how to prevent situations of loneliness. For example: organisations could collaborate in the identification and care of elderly people living alone; support The 3rd Convention: groups could be set up in clubs and other contributions and results organisations to carry out visits and help people with mobility difficulties. Centres for the elderly could provide much needed n Discussion on supportive support to overcome grief and avoid isola- relationships and mutual help tion by incorporating these issues into the activities they organise. Very useful ac- The discussion spaces of the Convention tions in preventing undesirable situations talked about how we can foster intergen- of loneliness could include welcoming erational relationships within and outside new users of clubs and monitoring indi- the family in order to bridge the gap be- viduals who, for various reasons, may be tween generations. at risk of isolation or who stop attending the clubs. Nonetheless, we not only need To improve intergenerational relationships to think about what can be done at clubs within the family, we need to encourage at- or centres for the elderly: it is also impor- titudes of respect and commitment among tant to raise awareness among families the adult children of elderly parents. In- and neighbours and to include them in forming and advising these individuals on these tasks. how to care for and help their parents in the ageing process could contribute to this The discussion touched on the possibilities goal. Another initiative might be to organ- of involving family and neighbours in the ise classes to encourage elderly people to detection of lonely elderly people (in coor- share their experiences and learn how to dination with the social services) and the put limits on their relationships with their need to involve volunteers in the care and children and grandchildren. accompaniment of lonely elderly people. Ensuring a good welcome and good inte- Outside the family, meeting spaces should gration into centres for the elderly, where be set up for sharing and exchanging ex- certain people can also feel lonely, was periences between youth, adults and the discussed in detail. elderly. Another way of encouraging inter- generational contact could be to organ- The Senior Citizens Advisory Council re- ise leisure activities in neighbourhoods in fers to supportive relationships and mu- conjunction with youth organisations, as tual help in the documents it presented well as the regular or occasional activities at the Third Convention. The “Open docu- organised at community centres. ment on the rights and freedoms of the de- pendent elderly” covers various rights and In the discussion, the need was noted for a duties with regard to supportive relation- conviction among elderly people – beyond ships. It refers to the maintenance of fam- what is specific to each generation – that ily relationships and friendships and also they are a part of society and want to stand mentions the right to receive care from alongside and share with other citizens. people with ongoing and adequate basic 90 BARCELONA, AGE-FRIENDLY CITY Did you know... • The main source of relationships among the elderly are relatives who do not live at home, a trend that is more pronounced among women over the age of 75. Based on data from the 2009 Survey on living conditions and habits among elderly people in Barcelona. • According to data from the 2009 Survey on living conditions and habits among elderly people in Barcelona, the main source of relationships outside the home of elderly people are relatives not living with them, a trend that is more pronounced among women over the age of 75. training, whether they be family members This document also argues that plan- or professional or non-professional car- ning and promotion through basic social ers, and the right of family carers to ad- services must involve the collaboration equate support. of organisations that carry out commu- nity action in order to develop the neces- The “Declaration of the Senior Citizens Ad- sary measures to prevent the isolation and visory Council of Barcelona on the financial loneliness of elderly people. They also re- situation and social exclusion risk of the fer to the need to launch programmes to elderly” notes that elderly people are an encourage intergenerational and intercul- important asset of society who have con- tural relationships in the context of the city tributed with their individual and collec- and of its individual districts. tive work to the well-being of our families and the general public today, and that they continue to do so in the current times of economic crisis. They do so by supporting their families in a variety of ways, by con- tributing as citizens through their taxes, contributing as consumers and by acting as volunteers in many different projects and social, political and cultural organisa- tions. They argue that special recognition should be afforded to elderly women who have worked in and outside the home and who have never retired from taking care of their families or of working towards the development of a better city. Lastly, it is important to appreciate the work of non-profit organisations work- ing to improve quality of life for elderly people – most especially of all the vol- unteers involved in social and relational programmes and projects for the elderly. 91 BARCELONA, AGE-FRIENDLY CITY n Municipal actions dependence or with a lack of family sup- and experiences port. The “Carer team” is a group formed by carers to create a space for continuous This section focuses on the municipal ac- mutual help. “Gymnastics for well-being” tions and experiences described at the uses physical activity as a theme to create Third “Voices of the Elderly” Convention. support. These experiences illustrate the They are examples of how this dimension variety of forms that supportive and mu- is reflected in municipal planning and in tual help initiatives can adopt. the initiatives implemented by organisa- tions and groups in which elderly people Joint responsibility for the detection and participate. Overall, they reveal diverse care of isolated elderly people aspects of cooperation between govern- ment and citizens. The unfortunate coincidence of critical sit- uations of isolated elderly people within a short period of time made us realise that In the dimension of supportive relation- very powerful indicators of alarm were ships and mutual help, the municipal ac- available both through the coverage of tion addresses the problem of severe needs and through neighbours. The death isolation and indicates the criteria for of a person in Gràcia, unknown both to beginning and continuing cooperation be- care services and close neighbours, shows tween residents and the government, ap- that some sort of mechanism needs to be plication of which produces good results. set up to offset this urban isolation, which is especially cruel for elderly people. The three experiences describe initiatives As explained by Josep M. Raya, this situa- launched by groups. “Elderly people, won- tion led to the reflection, design and imple- derful people” uses collaboration between mentation of the project for risk detection diverse organisations and volunteer train- and neighbour involvement in its solution, ing to create networks of support for eld- with one conclusion: we can only meet this erly people living in situations of isolation, need through shared responsibility among the people who form the immediate envi- ronment of elderly people living alone and the authorities. The former, by caring for their neighbours (hence the project name, Radars), and the authorities, using the devices designed and prepared for inter- vention. Without the participation of volun- teers, nothing would be possible. Something else to bear in mind is that we need to overcome the red tape and preserve the old spirit of neighbourhood solidarity, of collaboration with the peo- ple closest to us, being interested in what the people around us are going through and enjoying. This spirit is what can make projects such as this sustainable in the long run. 92 BARCELONA, AGE-FRIENDLY CITY Elderly people, wonderful people pal Social Services Institute (social services centres of the Antiga Esquerra, Dreta and This project is run by several organisa- Fort Pienc areas of the city), and the basic tions, including clubs, community centres, health areas of Via Roma and Casanovas. the Caritas charity, several churches, day care centres and neighbourhood associa- The “Carer team” is an ongoing, open group tions. Josep Muniente and Marifé Molano for people who carry out care work, in line explain that the main aims of these or- with their needs and personal interests. ganisations in this project are to improve Lídia Mas and Eduard Gràcia explain that the living conditions of elderly people in the group was set up to meet the need for the neighbourhood who are excluded both support, reflection and learning that these socially and from their families and to cre- types of people may require. It also oper- ate mechanisms for the intervention of the ates as a self-care space, whose aim is to organisations in order to encourage vol- help discover and legitimise the need to en- unteering and set up a support network to joy oneself, carry out leisure activities and help those in need. relax. The project is implemented through the Another of its aims is to increase aware- training of volunteers with talks that will ness of the issues faced by carers, to en- enable them, among other things, to de- courage these carers to raise awareness tect cases of need. When a case is detect- among people in the same situation and to ed, the organisations meet, determine the demand more support measures. type of help required and locate the re- sources they can offer to alleviate the ex- This is done through meetings that focus clusion of this person. The beneficiaries of on techniques such as group dynamics, in- this help are often elderly people living in formation sessions, reflection, discussion, situations of isolation, dependence or who mutual help and self-help, relaxation tech- lack the support of their families. niques, leisure and cultural outings, etc. The “Carer team” (Network of Carer Alongside this initiative, social services Groups) centres carry out group care projects to support carers of dependent family mem- This experience was implemented by carers bers, with a special focus on emotional and themselves with the support of the Munici- psychological aspects; in this area, their Did you know... • Women state that they have received more help from their children (47.3%) than from their partners, while men state that they receive more help from their partners (52.3%). • There are plans and community projects to promote collaboration and help among neighbours and to facilitate support to elderly and very elderly people who are alone. • The Social Services centres implement group care projects offering support to carers of dependent family members, with a special emphasis on the emotional and psychological aspects affecting these carers. 93 BARCELONA, AGE-FRIENDLY CITY priority is to help families in the functions, situations and phases of the family cycle with increased vulnerability, burden and crises. Social services centres often organise these activities in conjunction with other services, particularly health, or social initi- ative organisations working in the area that share the same goals. Many basic support groups do more than the scheduled activi- ties and programme; participants organise themselves, with the support of profes- sionals, to implement ongoing projects, such as the “Carer team” or mutual help groups, which cover community-wide goals Palau explains that the project dates back such as outreach and awareness raising. to 1996 and was extended in 2010 with three 50-minute workshops. Gymnastics for well-being Gymnastics for well-being seeks to ac- This project is based on two workshops – company people by providing them with the one stretching and relaxation and one psy- tools to enjoy a better quality of life, work on chomotor – for the over-75s. It gives par- body movements without difficulty, effort or ticipants an introduction to corrective body risk of injury, give personalised attention to movement and allows them to participate participants and invite them to participate in the activities of the club for the elderly in the other activities hosted by the club and that runs the project, Can Castelló. Olga continue to train at different workshops. n Conclusions and future proposals Elderly people have contributed with their individual and collective work to the well-being of their families and the general public today, and they continue to do so by providing their families and environments with wide ranging support. In this respect, we must acknowledge the high level of the activities, projects and volunteer organisations in the city. However, the support and day-to-day care of individuals cannot only be based on family, volunteers or friends. A network of public and community resourc- es and services also offers support to elderly people in vulnerable situations. Spaces allowing the formation of relationships, like clubs, organisations, friendship groups and activities, are the cornerstones for successful and active ageing and a veritable net- work of support and mutual help. The government authorities need to view these as an investment in quality of life for elderly people and for the community on the whole and as spaces for prevention, both in relation to health and social problems. 94 BARCELONA, AGE-FRIENDLY CITY The proposals of residents suggested at different points of the participatory process and during the Third Convention set down lines of work for implementing the “Barcelona, a senior-citizen friendly city” project, in which the participation of the elderly is crucial. Below is a list of wide-ranging actions to be introduced: n Create a varied and attractive range of mote intergenerational relationships, activities and projects that takes into ac- with the creation of meeting points for count the diversity characterising elder- children, teenagers, adults and the eld- ly people, based on the observation that erly. “Bridge the gap between genera- “people give and receive”. This range tions” by extending these types of ex- should be geared towards encouraging perience across the city. The conviction interpersonal relations in centres as that we are all individuals and not simply well as support and mutual help. part of a generation is essential. n Encourage society to “get to know the n Work to increase the appreciation of elderly people who live alone near us”, the work of carers and give them the in order to care for them, provide them emotional and relational support they with company and prevent social isola- need. tion through community actions involv- n Ensure that community actions and ing neighbours, professionals and the plans are seen as an opportunity for the immediate environment. active participation of elderly people in n Raise awareness of the very positive exchange networks and mutual help experiences being carried out to pro- networks. 95 BARCELONA, AGE-FRIENDLY CITY Respect, inequality and conditions for inclusion Resident contributions: The need for elderly people to be more aware of and to defend their rights was findings of the noted in the forums and to achieve this it qualitative research was considered that every elderly person should make clear his or her own skills. The elderly agreed that there are ways to improve their social image and that we need to uncover the diversity of this group. n Inclusion of the elderly The elderly found that social participation On the subject of Respect, inequality and is a very important factor for inclusion be- conditions for inclusion, elderly people cause it allows people to integrate into city talked about discrimination towards them. life. However, the values of today’s society Discrimination begins to rear its head are very individualistic, which discourages generally after retirement because people people from taking part. As a result, they often think that somebody who does not believe that “things should be made easy” produce in the labour market is of no use. in order to increase participation rates Some senior citizens described how cer- among the elderly. In addition, the elderly tain elderly people can feel excluded from people who get involved feel that they have society because of how they are treated, little influence on politics and institutional while others warn of the prejudices both aspects (government authorities, parties) of other people and of the elderly them- and argue that their demands often fall on selves. Because of this prejudice, elderly deaf ears. The differences between elderly people put restrictions on themselves and do not see their own skills and value. Dur- men and women when it comes to taking ing the consultation process, protection- on responsibilities in the management ism and paternalism towards the elderly bodies of associations were also highlight- were also mentioned as major barriers to ed: the boards are made up mainly of men, their full personal development. while women often tend to be linked more to participatory projects. The elderly discussed inclusion from an “Because of this prejudice, intergenerational perspective. In general, elderly people put restrictions they detect a mutual underrating between on themselves and do not see young people and the elderly because of their own skills and value. During the consultation prejudices that undermine cohesion and process, protectionism intergenerational relationships. They be- and paternalism towards lieve that the different generations must the elderly were also adapt to one another, starting with the mentioned as major barriers family and gradually extending this adap- to their full personal tation to other environments such as as- development.” sociations and community centres. 96 BARCELONA, AGE-FRIENDLY CITY Some professionals highlight the need to ers. Elderly people often draw attention to combat the stereotypical image that elder- the importance of promoting civic values ly people often have of youths. One way to as a goal for improving quality of life for do this is by promoting social and cultural everybody. spaces where people participate based on interests rather than their age, as is the The media were identified as an important case with the other types of activities put source of discrimination, due to the image on at community centres. of old age that they portray. Firstly, the contents are usually aimed at young audi- n Respect in specific contexts ences and, secondly, the vocabulary used to refer to elderly people is often disre- On the subject of respect and inclusion, spectful. No space is given to the discus- elderly people pointed out areas of clear sion of issues that interest or concern the discrimination against them. elderly, or only briefly, and when elderly people are discussed, negative and stere- The elderly also felt discriminated against otypical images are often projected (death, in health services and social services. passivity, tradition as an expression of old- Some doctors underestimate the symp- fashionedness) or they are clichés and toms or suffering described by the eld- idealised images (travel, leisure time). The erly. For example, they often do not pay elderly define themselves as a heteroge- much attention to their psychological care neous group and believe that the media needs. do not portray them with the diversity that characterises them. They stress that the In public spaces, a civic attitude has been media has a very strong influence on pub- mentioned as one of the essential condi- lic opinion and that they should therefore tions for ensuring respect among individu- als. Anti-social behaviour can sometimes affect the quality of life of elderly people. This is the case with cyclists who ride on the pavement or people who sit in the seats reserved for the elderly on public transport. The elderly point out that more security on the streets would help to alleviate these prob- lems but they also accept that individuals ought to intervene when they witness situ- ations of disrespect. Professionals and the elderly state that the role of grandparents in the education ...they detect a mutual of their grandchildren both in the family underrating between and at school should be highlighted in or- young people and der to reduce anti-social behaviour. Some the elderly because add that community agents could be ap- of prejudices that pointed to encourage the correct use of undermine cohesion public transport and respect among its us- and intergenerational relationships. 97 BARCELONA, AGE-FRIENDLY CITY “The elderly define themselves situation through more careful monitor- as a heterogeneous group ing and increased social awareness. This and believe that the media monitoring must be performed both by in- do not portray them with stitutions and services, such as home care the diversity that characterises and telecare, and by the social networks of them.” the individual (including neighbours). The increase in community projects and forms of cooperation between organisations and be required to adopt more precision and groups and individuals in different neigh- control over the information they broad- bourhoods could facilitate the awareness cast. They also consider it necessary to and monitoring of situations of abuse and broadcast more programmes for the eld- neglect. erly and with contents for senior citizens. Professionals and the elderly mentioned n Conditions leading to the risk the importance of working together to en- of social exclusion sure that television puts on programmes that foster respect among individuals rath- The elderly referred to various social con- er than crude and vulgar contents. Some ditions that can increase the risk of so- professionals suggest creating awards for cial exclusion. Elderly people accept that films and documentaries on subjects of in- there is often a certain rejection of people terest to the elderly as a means of achiev- from other cultures, such as when differ- ing this. ent ways of living become evident, which can generate problems of coexistence. On the subject of respect and disrespect, Nonetheless, elderly people do not see the elderly talked a lot about the family all migrant groups in the same light, and context. Elderly people see many everyday co-existence with some can be especial- situations that are subtle forms of discrim- ly easy. For example, some people come ination. One of the most common is the from cultures where the elderly are more abuse and overburdening of grandparents respected than in our society. The elderly in the care of their grandchildren, a little expressed an interest in activities to help known but very important task for parents break down intercultural barriers and en- and schools. Another form of discrimina- courage closer relations between local tion mentioned is when the family does not residents and newcomers. attach importance to the ability of the eld- erly person to make decisions on his or her life, such as control over money or respect for where the person wants to live. Lastly, the forums have highlighted a particularly sensitive area relating to situations of eld- “The increase in community erly abuse, both from within the family and projects and forms by professional carers. The importance of of cooperation between reporting such situations was stressed as a organisations and groups way to combat this problem. However, eld- and individuals in different erly people see the reporting of abuse as neighbourhoods could facilitate difficult, given that it is a taboo subject and the awareness and monitoring often kept private. As a result, they stress of situations of abuse the importance of detecting these types of and neglect.” 98 BARCELONA, AGE-FRIENDLY CITY Did you know... • A total of 54% of elderly people stated they have sufficient resources to reach the end of the month, 26% stated that they had some difficulties and 11.3% stated that it was very difficult, while 8.7% stated that they could comfortably reach the end of the month, according to data from the 2006 Survey on living conditions and habits among elderly people in Barcelona. • IDESCAT statistics place the poverty risk threshold for a person at EUR 8,992 per year. All minimum individual pensions in 2011 were below the poverty risk threshold of 2009. Professionals noted that, among other ties organised should be better publicised aspects, we need to combat the negative and that the social achievements of homo- views that elderly people often have of mi- sexuals in other countries should be af- grants. forded greater media coverage. They point out that elderly homosexuals themselves Elderly people have also recognised ho- are the people who participate and help mosexuality as a risk factor for exclu- to change the social image of this group. sion. They accept that because of how they Sexual and affective education in schools were educated and the stigma attached is key to improving the situation in younger to anything related to sexuality elderly generations. people often have difficulty in recognising and accepting sexual diversity. They also They lament the fact that certain religious mentioned elderly homosexuals who have discourses generate a false and negative had to keep their sexuality hidden to avoid view of homosexuality, adding that the me- rejection. Nonetheless, they believe that if dia are increasingly prepared to bring the more work is done on this issue, the at- issue of homosexuality in all its complexity titudes of elderly people could be more into the limelight. They also believe that it open. would be worthwhile to use documenta- Elderly gay men and women explained ries as a tool to raise awareness and intro- that, despite the progress made, we need duce unfamiliar realities – such as that of to carry on working to normalise the im- elderly homosexuals – among the elderly. age of homosexuality and real integration. They condemn the fact that discrimination Lastly, they indicate the need to work to and homophobia, together with insults and incorporate the heterogeneity of the eld- attacks, are still happening in the city, both erly into clubs for the elderly without dis- in the public space and in families and crimination based on functional limitation nursing homes. They believe that more or sexual orientation, for example. In this institutional support is needed to combat regard, they welcome actions by film fo- this abuse and to properly train and pre- rums organised by the City Council and pare professionals and centres for the carried out by senior citizens at clubs for elderly in order to raise awareness about the elderly to discuss homosexuality in the respect, as is already being done in cer- clubs, and they believe that this should be tain areas. They also state that the activi- extended across the city. 99 BARCELONA, AGE-FRIENDLY CITY Functional limitations, dependency and ill- thing has a price and, for many people, it ness are also identified as social conditions can be restrictive. Subsidies and discounts that could exclude a person from their en- are a useful aid but they are not always vironment. In this regard, they mention the used because people with scarce resourc- progress made with the adoption of the es often feel embarrassed about drawing Law on promotion of personal autonomy attention to their situation. and care for dependants. Elderly people have also highlighted the importance of support associations for patients and their families to combat the social exclusion of elderly people in these situations. The 3rd Convention: In interviews with elderly Roma people, contributions and results conflicts were mentioned between Roma and non-Roma people in the city, often in n Discussion on respect, hospitals. These reveal the prejudice on inequality and conditions both sides as a key factor that needs to for inclusion be addressed. The elderly consider that a mediator would be useful in such cases. The workspace of the Convention on this dimension discussed how we can improve Many people expressed concern over the respect for the elderly by combating age- problem of loneliness and social isolation, related prejudice, adopting the message especially since networks of support and of “taking personal action to combat prej- friendship are lost over the years. They be- udice” as the main theme. Some elderly lieve that the authorities should take more people are proud of their knowledge and responsibility for tackling this problem. skills for dealing with prejudice. For oth- However, they also recognise that neigh- ers, however, the force of the prejudice bours and centres for the elderly can play leads them to forget their skills. The dis- an important role in avoiding loneliness. cussion explored which actions could be taken to foster the recognition of elderly Lastly, the forums discussed poverty as a people as skilled individuals. Participation problem that affects and leads to the dis- in organisations, projects or bodies that crimination of many elderly people. Low are not exclusively for the elderly can be pensions and a lack of financial resources a way of improving respect and promoting can be a very significant factor in isolation: cohesion between different generations. transport, activities for the elderly, cul- The importance of starting with the fam- tural activities, medicines... almost every- ily for changing age-related prejudices was stressed. The initiative of talking to schools about old age by inviting senior citizens to share their experience of age- “...they indicate the need ing with children is another practice car- to work to incorporate the ried out at some schools in Barcelona that heterogeneity of the elderly clearly contributes to this goal. The elderly into clubs for the elderly also mentioned the need to express their without discrimination based disagreement when they feel that they are on functional limitation being discriminated against or disrespect- or sexual orientation, ed by contacting organisations for the pro- for example.” tection of the elderly. 100 BARCELONA, AGE-FRIENDLY CITY The Convention workspace also discussed nancial situation and social exclusion risk ways of combating the abuse of elderly of the elderly”, the Senior Citizens Adviso- people based on the understanding that ry Council of Barcelona refers to the need “we must all play a part in preventing to ensure compliance, together with the abuse”. Following on from the agreement city’s organisations for the elderly, with on the relevance of raising awareness, the Article 18 of the Statute of Autonomy of question arose as to how to promote the Catalonia of 2006, which reads: “The eld- involvement and responsibility of those erly have the right to live in dignity, free around us. Along these lines, initiatives from exploitation and abuse, and without were proposed, namely the creation of discrimination because of their age”. groups to work on the issue at centres for the elderly in order to provide information Lastly, the Senior Citizens Advisory Coun- on how to prevent abuse, detect cases of cil has also drawn up a document entitled abuse and assist in reporting. The discus- “Recommendations on the treatment and sion mentioned the importance of provid- participation of the elderly in the media”. ing clear information on the mechanisms This document analyses whether the me- available at public authorities and how to dia contribute to stigmatisation and pro- access them. One suggestion was to set mote negative stereotypes of elderly peo- up a telephone line to allow elderly people ple, especially in relation to dependency. suffering from abuse and people close to The media do not currently portray a true them who detect the situation to obtain the image of the diversity of social and lifestyle necessary information and report the situ- realities of the elderly. The Council also ation as easily as possible. argues that although the elderly appear as part of the public in many television pro- Moreover, the documents submitted by grammes, they still have a low presence the Senior Citizens Advisory Council to the and active participation in the media. Third Convention makes several referenc- es to the issue of respect, inequality and In the light of this situation, the document conditions for the inclusion of the elderly. calls for the media to be more responsi- ble in their portrayal of the social image The “Open document on the rights and of the elderly, asking that they: show the freedoms of the dependent elderly” cov- diversity of the elderly; avoid patronising, ers various rights and duties with regard discriminatory and/or derogatory lan- to respect and conditions for inclusion. It guage towards the elderly; make efforts to refers to the right of the elderly to auton- protect the right to the privacy, image and omy of decision and to continue to be rec- dignity of the elderly (especially the more ognised throughout old age as full citizens vulnerable); avoid reinforcing stereotypes with absolute respect for their dignity and that see youth as a positive attribute and privacy, the right to protection from any old age as negative; show the active role of form of abuse or violence in the family, elderly people in caring for their families, public, health care and government con- as carers or through financial support, texts and the right to sufficient income and and reveal how the elderly participate in to remain in control of the management of the social and community life of the neigh- their assets and income. bourhoods. The Council also asks that the media incorporate elderly people into their In the “Declaration of the Senior Citizens spaces as individuals and/or in represen- Advisory Council of Barcelona on the fi- tation of organisations for the elderly and 101 BARCELONA, AGE-FRIENDLY CITY that they give the elderly a voice and a examples of how this dimension is reflected presence; it asks that more opportunities in municipal planning and in the initiatives be given to elderly people to participate in implemented by organisations and groups general programmes and debates, just as in which elderly people participate. Overall, other citizens do. they reveal diverse aspects of cooperation between government and citizens. The Senior Citizens Advisory Council un- dertakes to bring all of these demands to In the dimension of respect, inequality and the Professional College of Journalists conditions for inclusion, the municipal ac- and the media, suggesting a line of work tion described is the “Barcelona anti-ru- for the detection of good and bad practic- mour strategy”. It reveals one way of tak- es in the media and urging organisations ing action, aimed at debunking myths, that for the elderly to become active agents of came about following the Intercultural Plan communication. The document sets out a and has become an example of an instru- number of ideas about how to start work- ment in this regard. In this particular case, ing on this, both individually and through it is useful in preventing the distortion in- organisations: create working groups to troduced by rumours, with the subsequent monitor the image of the elderly in the negative effects on social inclusion; this tool can be reinforced by other initiatives based different media; use the channels set up on meetings and participation. by the media itself to report situations that are considered bad practice (TV om- The experiences described address three budsman, letters from the director, etc.); issues that have aroused interest through- publicise best practices in communica- out the participatory process. In the “Ho- tion with regard to the elderly; adopt an mosexuality and the elderly” experience, active approach to the media and offer to elderly people from different clubs have got participate in it. These are just some of involved to talk about homosexuality and the ways in which the Council suggests promote respect for it. Abuse is the theme increasing the incidence of the elderly in of the Daphne project and reveals how or- the media. It also emphasises the need ganisations for the elderly can provide input for the elderly to extend their knowledge while working alongside other associations, of the communication options afforded by federations and organisations. The third ex- new technologies (ICT). For example, the perience, “We all have a family”, is an ex- elderly can transmit information through ample of interaction between youths and new technologies, using social networks the elderly aimed at mutual learning. They like Facebook or Twitter, or by creating are all examples of different approaches to websites and updated blogs describing the respect, inequality and inclusion. actions of organisations for the elderly and the contributions that elderly people make Barcelona Anti-rumour Strategy: myths to society. about cultural diversity that need de- bunking n Municipal actions Relationships between people are inter- and experiences sected by the images we have of one an- other. Often, when people do not know En aquest apartat es mostren les actuacions each other, distorted images are created This section shows the municipal activities that generally circulate in the form of ru- and experiences presented at the Third mours. Carolina Astudillo explains that Convention “Voices of the Elderly.” They are rumours go round about the foreign-born 102 BARCELONA, AGE-FRIENDLY CITY the elderly. This is the case of community centres, libraries and community action. Many elderly people participate in com- munity centres, neighbourhood facilities that work with citizens to promote coex- istence and creativity. For the past thirty years, these centres have been open to all. They run projects of community value and provide actions and services to fos- ter a richer and more diverse way of liv- ing based on sharing through culture. The elderly participate in a number of ways, such as going to or organising activities, collaborating as volunteers in the per- formance of activities, or representing as- sociations and groups as the coordinators population of Barcelona in relation to of projects that are outlined through these their use of services: the images of these groups and associations and carried out groups “taking all the grants” or “collaps- at the community centre to allow more ing the medical centres and health servic- people to become involved. Elderly people es” are examples of these rumours, since are library users and participate in pro- only 5.3% of the foreign-born population grammes both at libraries and by bring- actually used the social services in 2009, ing libraries closer to home through ini- while the health expenditure of the foreign tiatives by volunteers, who include senior population – 13% of the total population citizens. These actions express the aims of Catalonia – represents 4.3% of the to- of the City Education Project: to foster tal budget (Department for Health of the intergenerational relationships and the Generalitat). participation of all, while offering a range To debunk these myths, the Barcelona of creative leisure activities for all ages. Intercultural Plan has launched the Anti- Coexistence also forms the basis of com- rumour Strategy, which offers free anti- munity actions. These are put forward as rumour training and is based on the work a catalyst for change in order to create of the BCN Anti-rumours Network, which more inclusive communities and districts. has involved more than 125 organisations and media channels with different instru- The construction of change is based on ments: a manual to combat rumours and processes in which the group is the driv- stereotypes about cultural diversity in ing force, while also recognising the re- Barcelona and a variety of materials such lational and constructive abilities of citi- as videos, leaflets, comics, as well as the zens. www.bcn.cat/antirumors website. Along these lines, we can mention the The Anti-rumour Strategy is an example of media prizes awarded each year by the actions to promote coexistence. Municipal Council for Social Welfare of Barcelona in recognition of the proper Indeed, the coexistence of residents is at handling of information on social issues. the heart of a wide variety of municipal ac- 2011 was the eighteenth year of these tions, some of which are very familiar to awards. 103 BARCELONA, AGE-FRIENDLY CITY Homosexuality and the elderly The group held three meetings in July 2010, during which the documentary by This experience is part of the EU AHEAD TVE2 channel’s “Documentos TV” (direct- project to combat discrimination on ed by Ana Isabel Muñoz) entitled “Salir del grounds of sexual orientation. It was armario a los 60” (Coming Out at the Age launched by the Department of Civil Rights of 60) was shown and discussed. These of Barcelona City Council and carried out meetings also discussed the possibility of at two clubs for the elderly in the Eixample organising a film forum around the docu- and Ciutat Vella. The Institute for Ageing mentary at the different clubs. of the Autonomous University of Barce- lona (UAB) was also involved in coordinat- Based on the input from the core group ing the local action, while the Institute of meetings and the working guidelines Government and Public Policy of the UAB drawn up by the Institute of Ageing, two undertook the scientific coordination of film forums were organised at two clubs the EU project. for the elderly, Josep Tarradellas and Pati Llimona in the Ciutat Vella neigh- Fourteen elderly people from clubs in Ciu- bourhood, which were a success in terms tat Vella and the Eixample formed a core of attendance and participation in discus- group on homosexuality and the elderly, sions. coordinated by the Institute for Ageing of the UAB. Montserrat Canales explains Other actions have also been carried out that the aims were to: generate activities under the AHEAD project to raise aware- and spaces in which to talk openly about ness among and train professional carers homosexuality; raise public awareness working in nursing homes and home care about the issue of homosexuality; help services in order to prevent homophobic eliminate taboos, and to normalise and attitudes. restore the dignity of the individual and society with a view to equality, acceptance Daphne project. Research on the financial and respect as opposed to discrimination abuse of the elderly and segregation. This experience was launched by the Fed- eration of Associations of Senior Citizens of Catalonia (Federació d’Associacions de Gent Gran de Catalunya, FATEC) with the support of the FIAPA-Europe (Internation- al Federation of Associations for Elderly People). According to Montserrat Sarri, Daphne II is an EU programme whose aim is to con- duct further research into the financial abuse of elderly people. Firstly, based on a representative sample of elderly victims of abuse, it obtains quantitative data on the financial abuse suffered by this group. It also obtains qualitative data by consulting experts on the problems of abuse. None- theless, its aim is to determine factors of vulnerability and risk of abuse – including financial – in the elderly. 104 BARCELONA, AGE-FRIENDLY CITY Did you know... • Of the total migrant population in 2009, 3.6% were aged over 65 years, of which 49.3% came from other parts of Catalonia, 30.4% from elsewhere in Spain and 20.3% from abroad. • Elderly people have a positive view of the city’s increased socio-cultural diversity given its contribution to the economy and increasing the birth rate. Moreover, the care services provided by certain migrant groups are important for the elderly people who receive them and are viewed as positive by the latter, according to the Barcelona Intercultural Plan. To achieve these aims, each country draft- the conference. It thus establishes a link ed an initial report on the current situation for communication between the two gen- of ill treatment of the elderly overall, for erations by creating a space for free ex- which 1,000 people from their populations pression in which to exchange experienc- were surveyed and professionals were in- es, opinions and values among the elderly terviewed. The final report for the Europe- and young people. an Commission includes an analysis of the shortcomings in existing legislation and proposed reforms. Intergenerational day: we all have a family The organisations that coordinated and participated in this project are the Senior Citizens Council of the Horta-Guinardó District, the Narcís Monturiol Institute and municipal clubs for the elderly in Horta, Baix Guinardó and Vall d’Hebron. This activity stems from the need to cre- ate a space for the exchange of life experi- ences between two generations – the eld- erly and young people – so that they may learn from each other and seek out inter- generational similarities. Marta Borrell and Ventura Lázaro explain that each year the two groups work on a topic of common interest; in 2009, they worked on the top- ic “Love has no age limit”. This year, the main theme of the exchange has been the family, since it is a bond or structure that remains present throughout life. The project promotes the active participa- tion and involvement of all participants in 105 BARCELONA, AGE-FRIENDLY CITY n Conclusions and future proposals Elderly people should be more visible and socially acknowledged for their contribution as citizens in the past and present. They need to make themselves heard and not adopt passive attitudes. They must be convinced about keeping an open, participatory attitude and having a willingness to learn. The elderly have a lot to teach and share, but they can also learn a great deal from their fel- low citizens. Intergenerational projects and programmes are a good tool for strengthening the bonds of social cohesion and solidarity between generations. The concern about the negative social image of elderly people is not limited to the media, although this is where it is most evident. This negative image encourages the discrimina- tion of the elderly in a range of services and in various public and private spaces. The Senior Citizens Advisory Council has always expressed concern about situations of social vulnerability affecting the elderly. Poverty, illness, dependency, loneliness and ho- mosexuality are still conditions that can encourage social exclusion. The “Declaration of the Senior Citizens Advisory Council of Barcelona on the financial situation and social exclusion risk of the elderly”, the “Open document on the rights and freedoms of the dependent elderly” and the “Recommendations on the treatment and par- ticipation of the elderly in the media” are three clear examples of the commitment and concern of the Advisory Council. The proposals of residents suggested at different points of the participatory process and during the Third Convention set down lines of work for implementing the “Barcelona, a senior-citizen friendly city” project, in which the participation of the elderly is crucial. Below is a list of wide-ranging actions to be introduced: n Focus initiatives for 2012, European awareness must be raised among the Year for Active Ageing and Intergen- elderly to put an end to prejudice on erational Relations, on the promotion grounds of sexual orientation as a fac- of innovative spaces for dialogue and tor for social exclusion. relations between generations, and on n Combat the abuse of elderly people combating negative images, prejudice by rallying under the slogan “We must and discrimination against elderly peo- all play a part in preventing abuse”, by ple, with special attention to those living raising awareness of the issue through in situations of risk of exclusion. organisations and by implementing spe- n Defend the need to “take personal ac- cific measures such as an information tion to combat prejudice” on ageing in line. order to increase respect for the elderly while showcasing their skills. Likewise, 106 BARCELONA, AGE-FRIENDLY CITY Communication and information ...the elderly explained that Resident contributions: the information available to them findings of the is often difficult to qualitative research understand... In the Communication and information dimension, the elderly referred to the amount of information available to the pu- blic. They value access to information be- cause it affords them greater autonomy when it comes to making decisions and forming critical opinions. On the subject of public decisions, they consider that infor- mation with data on the reasons and bene- fits of implementing a public decision is a prerequisite for active citizenship. to them and covers local issues. Interviews with elderly homosexuals also highlighted However, the elderly explained that the in- formation available to them is often diffi- the importance of not using masculinised cult to understand; they would like to ask language, to ensure that everybody who of the people who make this information: hears a discourse can feel included and have you thought about how to go about identified. Another example of inclusive ensuring that this information is useful? communication is that which does not ex- They also stress the shared responsibility clusively reinforce the traditional model of of the sender and receiver in getting infor- the heterosexual family. mation to do its job. Proximity is a criterion that elderly people stress with regard to n Informative media information: the information that reaches them most easily is located in areas close Elderly people believe that there are very useful places on the street where informa- tion can be displayed: information boards and posters in crowded places fulfil their “They value access to function very well. Moreover, both pro- information because it affords fessionals and the elderly believe that the them greater autonomy when creation of information points for the el- it comes to making decisions derly in areas significant to them would and forming critical opinions.” be beneficial. For example, places such as 107 BARCELONA, AGE-FRIENDLY CITY “There is a general preference Elderly people talked about the impact for local media because of the Internet on their lives. Firstly, be- the information is regarded cause more and more information is now as helpful, local and generally only available on-line, and secondly, be- respectful in terms of the image cause they see the Internet as a gateway of the elderly it projects.” to a wealth of information that can be very useful to them. The Internet also has the advantage of not requiring travel, so it can open up a whole new world for elderly primary care facilities, markets, pharma- people with mobility difficulties. Despite cies and bakeries could be used to disse- its potential benefits, many elderly people minate information. do not see the Internet as a tool of interest The elderly usually like to receive infor- and have not developed the habit of using mation by post because it is very accessi- it. Some forum participants suggested that ble and they feel that it is more personal. elderly people should take the initiative by The downside of this means of communi- trying to be open to the possibilities offe- cation is that information about activities red by new technologies and that support can sometimes arrive too late. Moreover, from younger members of their families the habit of sending information over the could help to overcome any initial reluc- Internet is spreading at a faster rate than tance. elderly people can adapt to new technolo- Elderly people welcome the fact that in- gies. They therefore suggest that people creasingly more centres for the elderly should be able to choose whether to recei- have a computer room with Internet ac- ve information by post or digitally. cess. The problem they mention is that, Of the traditional media (press, radio and in some places, the computer courses television), the elderly listen to the radio in are often expensive, there are not enough particular because it is portable, although places and there are long waiting lists. To they point out in their ratings that the in- overcome the digital divide, institutions terlocutors sometimes talk too quickly need to get involved in spreading the use and that advertising interferes with the of this tool. For example, some suggest messages. There is a general preference that the elderly not only need to learn to for local media because the information use the Internet but that it would also be is regarded as helpful, local and genera- good for them to receive financial aid in or- lly respectful in terms of the image of the elderly it projects. They like to read the press because they can spend as long as they need on each article and it is easier to retrieve the information. Specifically, the elderly feel that they have gained a great “Some forum participants suggested that elderly people deal with the creation of the free press: should take the initiative distribution points are easy to find, their by trying to be open to articles summarise the information, there the possibilities offered are more pictures and the layout is more by new technologies and manageable than traditional newspapers. that support from younger However, they often warn about the sen- members of their families sationalist tone that sets them apart from could help to overcome any paid-for daily newspapers. initial reluctance...” 108 BARCELONA, AGE-FRIENDLY CITY der to have a computer and Internet con- “...some people who receive nection at home. One last highly regarded home care or have difficulty aspect is the gradual installation of Wi-Fi leaving their homes are in different parts of the city. They suggest especially thankful for that this initiative be extended to nursing the municipal newsletters homes as it can be a key factor in the per- because they ensure a better sonal growth of residents. connection to city life.” Another information channel mentioned was informal communication. This is the primary channel for many elderly people. The elderly also mentioned the public infor- “Word of mouth” can be especially useful mation and emergency lines (010, 012, 061). for reaching people who do not have an ac- These are highly regarded because of the tive attitude towards the acquisition of new friendliness and efficiency of the attention information, despite the risks of distortion but one of the strongest criticisms of this involved. type of line is the high cost. The elderly be- lieve that these lines ought to be free and n Information issuers that efforts should generally be made to re- duce waiting times or busy lines. Barcelona’s institutional information is ge- nerally viewed as good by the elderly. They According to the professionals consulted, value the existence of citizen information specialists in social services and health offices (oficines d’atenció ciutadana, OAC), should receive specific training to optimise as well as municipal information boards in communication with the elderly. streets. The mailings containing the news- letters of the neighbourhood and the city, Elderly people mentioned a number of si- although they often arrive too late to attend tuations with respect to service companies. activities, are also appreciated by the el- The widespread presence of advertising derly because the information is often use- in their environment is highly criticised by ful and affordable. Moreover, some people the elderly. This rejection is accentuated who receive home care or have difficulty because of the stereotypes about women leaving their homes are especially thankful and the elderly they detect in the adverts. for the municipal newsletters because they Professionals have warned that advertising ensure a better connection to city life. Some elderly people would like to see more centralised information about city events and specific information for the elderly. They therefore propose the publication of a guide containing resources of interest for the elderly (information on culture, health, leisure, etc.), together with information that is not widely available at present, such as details of the grants that residents can apply for. One positive action taken by dis- trict authorities highlighted by the elderly is that they send a written reply to letters of complaint. 109 BARCELONA, AGE-FRIENDLY CITY should reinforce elderly values as being po- “Centres for the elderly, sitive for society. Elderly homosexuals have organisations and community also pointed out that the advertising often centres are also seen as agents projects social images that exclude family that inform their members models other than the traditional one. and their environment, with the advantage of providing Elderly people come across situations of local information.” misleading advertising against which they feel unprotected. They also mention the intrusive advertising of telephone calls se- lling products, as their persistence and fre- illustrative example of the importance of quency are very irritating to them. Another this was mentioned by people with diffi- point raised were telephone companies culties affecting their day-to-day life and that put up countless obstacles to custo- by some of the women interviewed who mers leaving the company. receive care at home; on many of the pro- ducts they buy, they cannot read the expiry Centres for the elderly, organisations and date or ingredients. As for information on community centres are also seen as agents the Internet, professionals suggest en- that inform their members and their envi- couraging websites to include a simple ronment, with the advantage of providing mechanism to adjust font size. local information. Clubs, spaces and cen- tres for the elderly, as well as organisations In the press, pictures and the use of plain in general, ought to do more to publicise language can make texts much easier to the activities they put on. Neighbourhood read (as in the style of the free press). newspapers are a good way of doing this (information can be inserted for free). The In telephone communication, the elderly elderly suggest increasing the use of new place importance on friendly and helpful technologies to improve communication attention at an affordable price. One of the between organisations and their members aspects of telephone calls that least plea- and to send information to other people, ses elderly people is the progressive in- whether elderly or otherwise. They believe troduction of automated responses, which that the creation of a communication group speak too fast or give unclear instructions. in centres and associations could help im- They believe that it is important to have the prove circulation. option of personal attention when an auto- mated response is not satisfactory. n Understanding information With regard to the comprehensibility of Much of the input obtained from the fo- institutional information, the elderly also rums on the comprehension of informa- tion has emphasised the need for a more synthetic, coordinated (non-repetitive), quality and understandable language. “In written communications, the elderly feel that the information should be In written communications, the elderly made more attractive, simple feel that the information should be made and specific. The font should more attractive, simple and specific. The be easy to read and use font should be easy to read and use a sui- a suitable size, spacing table size, spacing and thick outlines. An and thick outlines.” 110 BARCELONA, AGE-FRIENDLY CITY D id you know... • The media most often used by elderly people for information purposes are general media like television or newspapers (67.1%). According to data from the 2009 Survey on living conditions and habits among elderly people in Barcelona, 10.8% of elderly people in Barcelona obtain information through relatives, friends and acquaintances. express some concerns. They point out The 3rd Convention: that the people hired to inform the public contributions and results do not always know the information they have to give out. The authorities are also insensitive to the specific characteristics n Discussion on communication of the elderly: they use technical language, and information the font size used on the website is small and the administrative procedures are In the discussion of the workspaces the very complicated. It is therefore important question was posed as to how we can im- to have agents to advise the elderly by cen- prove the dissemination of information tralising their services in community cen- of interest to elderly people in organisa- tres, for example. tions for the elderly. Suggestions included the creation of a tool (such as an Internet Lastly, the elderly argue that people with blog) where all clubs and associations for difficulties affecting their day-to-day living elderly people could share and centrali- se information accessible by everybody. (for example, hearing or visual deficits) The need to train informers at centres for may have particular difficulties receiving the elderly was also mentioned, in order information. However, some people strive to ensure more effective communication hard and play a very active role in obtai- (for example, with members of the club or ning the information of interest to them. when they welcome new users). The people in our immediate environment and institutions specialising in people with In the Convention documents, the Senior sensory deficits are also key players in fa- Citizens Advisory Council makes several cilitating access to information. references to communication and infor- mation. In relation to the communication and information dimension, the “Open document on the rights and freedoms of the dependent elderly” covers the right to “...people with difficulties receive information and be protected by affecting their day-to-day measures for the prevention of dependen- living (for example, hearing or visual deficits) may have cy throughout life, together with the right particular difficulties receiving for society to recognise and be sensitive to information. However, some the difficulties of the dependent elderly. people strive hard and play a very active role in obtaining Likewise, the “Declaration of the Senior the information of interest Citizens Advisory Council of Barcelona on to them.” the financial situation and risk of social 111 BARCELONA, AGE-FRIENDLY CITY exclusion of the elderly”, makes two refe- n Municipal actions rences to communication and information: and experiences firstly, it proposes that the public should be able to interact with public authorities This section focuses on the municipal ac- and emergency services (and basic service tions and experiences described at the companies) through free telephone lines. Third “Voices of the Elderly” Convention. Secondly, the Advisory Council calls on the They are examples of how this dimension government to improve the channels of in- is reflected in municipal planning and in formation on the rights and services of the the initiatives implemented by organisa- elderly, so that they may know their rights, tions and groups in which elderly people exercise them and also know which servi- participate. Overall, they reveal diverse ces and benefits they can apply for. They aspects of cooperation between govern- add, however, that the Advisory Council ment and citizens. and district councils must also take res- The municipal action reveals the different ponsibility for this task and get involved. tools and formats used by the City Council to inform citizens and communicate with Lastly, the document entitled “Recom- them by describing the uses of each me- mendations of the Senior Citizens Advisory dium and instrument. Council of Barcelona on the treatment and participation of the elderly in the media” The three experiences described are ini- also mentions the social image of the el- tiatives based on the use of technology in derly projected by the media and the mea- projects with wide-ranging aims. “Digital sures that can be taken by the Advisory literacy for the elderly” reveals the intro- Council and organisations for the elderly duction of elderly people to the use of te- in this regard. The contents of this docu- chnology with the collaboration of senior ment are included under the subheading citizens as volunteers. “Virtual Memory” “Discussion on respect, inequality and focuses on interaction between teenagers conditions for inclusion” in the “Respect and elderly people through e-mail, blogs and conditions for inclusion” dimension. and chats for the creation of a biographical work in digital format. Lastly, “Film Wor- kshop” focuses on cooperation in a group of elderly people to create a short film. The three experiences have the common denominator that they are examples of a journey of learning and cooperation. Communication and information Barcelona City Council currently uses a wide range of communication channels to inform the public about the city in general and for easy access to specific informa- tion of interest on services, activities or procedures. Pilar Guinchard explains that since some channels are based on personal interac- 112 BARCELONA, AGE-FRIENDLY CITY Did you know... • According to the 2010 Quarterly Survey on information systems of Barcelona City Council, of the interviewees aged 65 to 74, 37.3% have used a computer at least once, 32.5% have used e-mail at least once, 35.7% have used the Internet at least once, 52.4% have a computer at home that they currently use, 46.0% have an Internet connection at home and 92.9% have working mobile phones at home. • According to the same survey, when they need information about the city: 23.0% read the press, 18.3% check the Internet, 17.5% watch the television, 15.1% ask other people, 11.1% call 010 and 10.3% use the City Guide, among other means. If they need to carry out procedures with Barcelona City Council, 66.7% use the Citizen Information Offices (OAC), 4.0% call 010 and 1.6% visit the municipal website, among other means. tion, whether face-to-face or over the tres, home care service and shared meals telephone, the hours during which calls was spread through newspaper supple- can be made have been substantially ex- ments, brochures and posters in the me- tended. Others, such as newsletters, are tro. This type of campaign is justified if we printed on paper. In addition to these consider the variety of conditions and cir- channels, which have long been the only cumstances of its intended recipients; it means of communication, we now have was designed to ensure that the informa- information on screen: screens that tell tion about the services and the words and residents which types of public transport images used were simple and conveyed tickets they can purchase and screens the basic values of support and respect. with Internet access. The Internet has de- finitely opened up many new possibilities. Lastly, Barcelona is present in the commu- One of these is the Virtual Office, which nication channels of on-line social networ- can be used to carry out multiple proce- ks; through Facebook or Twitter Barcelo- dures without leaving our homes. Brow- na, residents can discover points they have sing the municipal website offers access in common. It is a new way to communicate to news, searching for information on ac- and reduce the distances between us. tivities and finding out the details of many initiatives taking place on a daily basis in Barcelona. It also opens the door to speci- Digital literacy for the elderly fic websites such as the Targeta Rosa site, This experience was launched by the Di- which details the advantages that can be rectorate for Resident Services of the Les obtained with the senior citizens card in Corts district. different services. In order to introduce the elderly to new te- The municipal authorities sometimes chnologies, clubs offer workshops to train launch specific campaigns. One example users in Internet browsing and provide in- is the campaign that followed the launch formation and advice to people who con- of the new social services model, where nect to the Internet from the club, which is information on the social services cen- often the time when questions arise. Cris- 113 BARCELONA, AGE-FRIENDLY CITY tina Jordà explains that a network of vo- nologies but to do so with a specific, fun lunteers is formed from the elderly people purpose that feels close to home: sharing who know how to surf the Internet in order personal experiences with younger people. to help others to do so, either from home By so doing, the project strengthens inter- or at the club. This learning process also generational relationships in the district seeks to promote intergenerational parti- and helps to restore the collective me- cipation by involving children and grand- mory and enhance the self-esteem of the children in meeting spaces and joint acti- elderly people involved. vities, for example. Film Workshop To achieve these aims, free Wi-Fi has been installed in municipal clubs, free works- This experience was launched by the New hops have been held on Internet browsing, Technologies Commission of the San An- laptops have been bought to be borrowed toni Space for the Elderly in collaboration by people who do not have their own equi- with the municipal facility of the Eixample pment, and talks have been organised to district and TalaTala Producciones. advise people on the purchase of compu- ters based on their individual needs. With the aim of introducing the elderly to new technologies, a group of different Virtual memory of the elderly ages ranging from 63 to 80 years took part in the creative process of making a short This experience was carried out in the Sant film: script, direction, filming, image, Martí district through the Centre for Edu- sound, etc. Joan Domínguez explains that cational Resources with support from the the highlights of the preparation, recor- Education Consortium (Educational Servi- ding and editing were the good relations, ces) and the Community Projects scheme teamwork, what was learned and the desi- of “la Caixa”. re to continue acquiring knowledge in or- der to improve. Work has already begun on The project is addressed to elderly people a second short to continue the project. who are learning IT at different clubs for the elderly and teenagers from schools in the San Martí district. Norberto Sina- tra and Joan Arumí explain that after the training phase of the elderly in multime- dia classrooms, the knowledge acquired is put to work at meetings (physical and virtual) between senior citizens and teena- gers from the district. Using e-mail, blogs and chats, the elderly explain their life ex- periences, writing their stories and adding photographs and old documents about the history of the neighbourhood. The teena- gers then produce a biographical work in digital format on the experiences and lives of each elderly person. Therefore, the aims of this project are not only to introduce the elderly to new tech- 114 BARCELONA, AGE-FRIENDLY CITY n Conclusions and future proposals The Senior Citizens Advisory Council is particularly concerned about the negative and ste- reotyped image projected all too often by the media on the elderly and the negative effects of this. As a result, it undertook a task of reflection that culminated in the manifesto pre- sented at this convention. Despite the information channels of the municipal services and the efforts of the Advisory Council, many elderly people have expressed their dissatisfaction with the situation be- cause they believe that they are not sufficiently informed of many things affecting them, especially when they require a service and do not know where to go. This situation warrants a creative and self-critical review of why the channels for the circulation of information are not working. The difficulty of transmitting information is also observed within and between organisa- tions, both at city and district level. Organisations for the elderly carry out many similar projects and activities but are unaware of this and therefore lose out on the possibility of collaborating and sharing experiences. The proposals of residents suggested at different points of the participatory process and during the Third Convention set down lines of work for implementing the “Barcelona, a senior-citizen friendly city” project, in which the participation of the elderly is crucial. Be- low is a list of wide-ranging actions to be introduced: n Join forces to see how we can improve n The Advisory Council and organi- the circulation of information, specifica- sations for the elderly must transmit lly of useful information for day-to-day information through traditional chan- living among the elderly. The Advisory nels and the use of new technologies, Council, organisations and centres for creating updated and active websites the elderly have become useful chan- and blogs. They must also have a social nels for the dissemination of informa- networking presence to publicise the tion of interest to the elderly, both in actions of organisations for the elderly relation to services and for the general and the social contributions of older information affecting them as elderly people. people. n Use the “Barcelona, a senior-citizen n Learn how to “spread hope” and friendly city” project both individually “strengthen participatory dynamics” and in organisations to spread informa- within organisations to ensure that in- tion, give a better welcome to newco- formation flows from clubs and orga- mers to centres for the elderly, and nisations for the elderly, training and encourage more participation, inserting equipping the elderly with the skills of the slogan “I also make Barcelona, a participatory dynamics to develop their friendly city” everywhere. leadership skills and teamwork. 115 BARCELONA, AGE-FRIENDLY CITY Senior Citizens Advisory Council of Barcelona 116 BARCELONA, AGE-FRIENDLY CITY The previous chapters have introduced Turning now to what remains to be done, the “Barcelona, an age-friendly city” pro- the Third “Voices of the Elderly” Conven- ject and its achievements thus far. We tion gave us two unique inputs, one from have seen how the project came about Joan Subirats at the inaugural conference and what it consists of, the way in which and one from Mayte Sancho at the closing Barcelona approached the task and why, conference. Both give us a useful set of and what the findings of the qualitative elements for the three key issues in the research have been. In short, the pre- implementation of the action plan: rethin- vious pages have detailed the progress king welfare policies, actions taken by go- made. vernment authorities, and the focus on the local sphere when promoting the basic values of autonomy, equality and diversity. n Rethinking welfare policies Following the shock of the global economic crisis, we are currently in the throes of a political debate on how to rethink welfare 4 A future project for BarcelonaBARCELONA AGE-FRIENDLY CITY policies and how to meet the challenges posed by the more structural process of the change of era. Amid all of this, our ci- ties have undergone a very obvious chan- ge. They are more heterogeneous and more crowded cities, neighbourhoods and streets with diversified and unique options. The changes in our life cycle have been dra- matic and positive; more years in which to live and a potentially better life. This is not a problem, it is a wonderful opportunity. To make the most of it, we need to rethink our concepts and paradigms. A first element of primary importance is understanding that we cannot look to the future without thin- king about how we ought to manage and recognise the diversity of every individual, the diverse dignity of both individuals and 117 BARCELONA, AGE-FRIENDLY CITY principles: we need to be able to translate them into criteria for action that become tangible in specific initiatives. n Action by public authorities In our public authorities, the most conven- tional way of operating in institutions tends to be to do the work that needs to be done without considering anybody in particular. This is what is known in administrative law as “indifferent efficacy”. And yet, the cha- llenge lies in how we can make our action programmes and public services more effective and more tailored, more “differen- tiated” in the sense of being more attentive groups. Anybody who thinks that we sim- to the growing diversity of ages, lifestyles, ply need to create a new policy, a policy for food choices, sexuality, family composition, the elderly, is mistaken. What we need is to culture, religion and ethnicity. consider all municipal and public policies and programmes through the logic of di- We clearly face a huge challenge in avoi- versity, based on the determination to en- ding the trap of segmenting public services sure autonomy for all and to fight for equal into different social categories. We need conditions, possibilities and opportunities. to reconstruct universal services so that they remain as such and, at the same time, make sure that they can handle diversity as The logic of diversity and the importance a value to preserve and defend. We cannot of autonomy become all the more signi- generalise about “all old people” or “all ficant if we consider the intragroup hete- women”, “all immigrants” or “all youths”. rogeneity of the elderly population. Often, We need to realise that the older people the importance given to stereotypes means of recent generations have much more in that we fail to appreciate the many ways in common in terms of lifestyle with groups which elderly people do things and live out of adults than with people of a very ad- their lives, although this variety is evident vanced age. Likewise, we need to focus on when we observe the differences between the increased life expectancy among men, the generation in its nineties and those in which entails and will entail in the future their sixties, or the differences in life ex- more years of living as a couple, a decline pectancy determined by income level. Ano- in the loneliness resulting from widowhood ther trend observed among older people and an increase in situations of dependen- is the increasing importance they attach ce among couples. These new situations to autonomy, i.e. self-governance, in rela- require us to fine tune our understanding tion to how their lives are organised, taking of everyday life by firmly incorporating the care of themselves or with regard to how gender perspective. and where they wish to be cared for. These trends go hand in hand with rising social Segmentation can also be dangerous be- values and require diversity and autonomy cause it prevents us from seeing and noti- to be something more than mere inspiring cing how families are being restructured, 118 BARCELONA, AGE-FRIENDLY CITY with fewer members in each generation n The role of the local and longer lives; these are “narrow and environment in promoting longer” family structures in which care for the basic values of autonomy, the elderly must extend to equality between equality and diversity sexes and ages. Only if we do away with segmentation will we be able to entertain We are increasingly realising that we can the idea that young people are also capa- only address the new demands of the ble of accompanying elderly people in need change in era we face from the local le- of help to carry out their day-to-day activi- vel. People do not have differentiated pro- ties. The negative effects of segmentation blems in the way that governments have also affect the approach adopted to tackle specialised their departments into health, challenges. Responding to the will of many education, social services and housing. people to live at home or live as though they People have mixed problems throughout were at home, when they require the help their lives and they demand an integrated of others on a daily basis, calls for chan- response, a response in which they are not ges in our current approach to services and merely an object of the Administration, but in housing policies. These changes need also a subject and a central figure. All of to allow for the incorporation of aspects this is very difficult to achieve from a dis- such as the importance of the proximity of tance, just as it is difficult to conduct home the homes of family members or advising services from a distance or to think about people so that they can take informed de- services that are increasingly integrated cisions in order to continue living at home both physically and administratively. when they have functional limitations affec- ting their day-to-day living. 119 BARCELONA, AGE-FRIENDLY CITY At the local level, we need to realise that requires an ongoing commitment to mate- many more years of disability-free life rialising the working route established by will extend the period of independent li- the WHO, in which the participation of ol- ving for many men and women, who will der people is essential both for their con- be able to actively engage in the defence tribution to the assessment of the city’s of basic values such as autonomy, equali- friendliness and for setting priorities, ty, and diversity. This type of contribution proposing solutions and monitoring pro- enriches city life but it also requires the gress. This working route is split into the support of the government authorities and following phases: the recognition of the person making the contribution. Increased longevity will also 1. Planning (years 1-2) require the construction of new forms of care, support and solidarity that will affect In this phase, the mechanisms are esta- us all. In short, the challenge is not how to blished to involve the elderly in the whole adapt our cities and public authorities to process, to assess the friendliness of the the elderly, but rather how to rethink our city, develop the foundations of the ac- cities and governments in order to adopt tion plan based on the results of the as- the basic values of autonomy, equality and sessment and to identify the indicators for diversity throughout life. monitoring progress. 2. Implementation (years 3 to 5) n Rethinking welfare policies After the initial phase, an action plan is developed that is submitted and subject to As explained in Chapter One, being part of the approval of the WHO. This plan has an the Global Network of Age-friendly Cities implementation period of three years. Working route Years 1 and 2 Years 3 to 5 1. Planning a) Involve older people 2 Implementation b) Assess friendliness a) Action plan c) Basis of the action plan b) Continuous assessment d) Identify indicators 3 Assess progress a) Measure progress 4 Continuous b) Identify successes and improvement threats Five-year cycles c) Submit progress report 120 BARCELONA, AGE-FRIENDLY CITY 3. Assessment of progress (end of 5th year) n The participatory movement At the end of the first part of the imple- of older people as a catalyst mentation, a progress report is submitted for change to the WHO with the results and indicators formulated in the planning phase. The path taken by the “Barcelona, Age- friendly City” project has been a productive 4. Continuous improvement one. The work plan designed to encoura- Based on the results of the assessment, ge and facilitate the participation of older an ongoing improvement phase will begin people has given many of Barcelona’s re- with the development of a new action plan sidents a say in how the city can be made for a five-year period. The progress of this more friendly. It has also shown that the new plan will be measured at the end of input of the elderly refers to improvements this second implementation period. addressed not only to older generations, but rather to improvements that contem- Barcelona has carried out the key tasks plate future sustainability, i.e. they think of the planning phase, launched a large- beyond the current generations of adults, scale participatory process and performed teenagers and children. the groundwork for the assessment that will form the backbone of the action plan. The participatory movement of older people, led by the Advisory Board, has shown that it wishes to play a leading role The route to follow from now on in the in the construction of an age-friendly city planning phase has the following milesto- and that it wishes to do so with determina- nes for developing the basis for the “Bar- tion. As a result, the Third Convention has celona, age-friendly city” action plan: a outlined a working agenda, an agenda that tool for planning the municipal action over will stimulate the City Council and lead to the coming years and the creation of an ex- the launch of actions for organisations as pert committee, composed of individuals a group and for individuals. Older people familiar with all of the fields covered by the feel that they are citizens, social actors eight dimensions that structure the “Bar- with responsibilities that they refuse to celona, age-friendly city” project. Their in- give up, which is why they make demands put is sought to contrast with the findings and give answers, why they ask and give; on both levels – substantive and operatio- they do so by thinking in terms of creative nal – and to extend cooperation to actors cooperation among all stakeholders, pu- from all sectors capable of contributing to blic and private. They do it in the determi- implementation of the action plan. nation to build a city for all ages. n The planning phase will conclude with the specific projects carried out by the muni- cipal government to make this project one of the central themes of the future action “...the participatory movement of older people, led by the plan of the city overall and for its individual Advisory Board, has shown districts. When the municipal action plan that it wishes to play a leading is submitted to the WHO, the second phase role in the construction will begin. The action plan will be imple- of an age-friendly city and mented across the city over a three-year that it wishes to do so with period. determination.” 121 BARCELONA, AGE-FRIENDLY CITY 122 BARCELONA, AGE-FRIENDLY CITY The Barcelona age-friendly city project involved the participation of: n PARTICIPATORY COUNCILS n Coordinating Association for Old n Senior Citizens Advisory Council Age (Associació Coordinadora per a of Barcelona l’Ancianitat, ACA) Municipal Council for Social Welfare n Association of Stevedore and n (Elderly Group) Dockworker Pensioners of Barcelona (Associació de Pensionistes Estibadors n Senior Citizens Council of Ciutat Vella Portuaris de Barcelona) n Senior Citizens Council of L’Eixample n Widows Association of Barcelona n Senior Citizens Council (Associació de Vídues de Barcelona) of Sants-Montjuïc n Association of Industrial Engineers n Senior Citizens Council of Les Corts of Catalonia (Associació d’Enginyers n Senior Citizens Council Industrials de Catalunya)/Retirees of Sarrià-Sant Gervasi Commission Senior Citizens Council of Gràcia n Association of Early Retirees and n Senior Citizens Council Pensioners of SEAT (Associació n Prejubilats i Jubilats de SEAT) of Horta-Guinardó n Association of Older Volunteers n Senior Citizens Council of Nou Barris (Associació Gent Gran Voluntària, n Senior Citizens Council of Sant Andreu ASVOL) n Senior Citizens Council of Sant Martí n Association of Retired Workers of Catalonia (Agrupació de Treballadors MEMBER ORGANISATIONS Jubilats de Catalunya, ATJC) n OF THE SENIOR CITIZENS ADVISORY n Belluga’t COUNCIL OF BARCELONA n Professional College of Civil Engineers Lessons for the Elderly (Aules per a la of Catalonia (Colegio Ingenieros n Gent Gran, AUGG) Caminos, Canales y Puertos de Catalunya, CICCP)/Retirees section n Catalan Association of Families, n Barcelona Swimming Club ( Users and Collaborators of Assisted Club Natació Barcelona)/Masters Geriatric Centres (Associació Catalana Department de Familiars, Usuaris i Col·laboradors n Lambda club (Casal Lambda) de Centres Geriàtrics Assistits, ACFUC) “Autumn Group” n Association of Families of Alzheimer n Professional College of Sales Sufferers of Barcelona (Associació Representatives of Barcelona (Col·legi Familiars malalts d’Alzheimer d’Agents Comercials de Barcelona)/ de Barcelona, AFAB)/Welcome Retirees Association and Information Department n Professional College of Pharmacists n Association of Training Classes of Barcelona (Col·legi de Farmacèutics (Agrupació d’Aules de formació, de Barcelona/Senior Citizens Section AFOPA) n Professional College of Industrial n Association of RENFE Pensioners Technical Engineers of Barcelona and Retirees of Catalonia (Asociación (Col·legi d’Enginyers Tècnics de Jubilados y Pensionistas de RENFE Industrials de Barcelona)/Retirees de Catalunya) Commission 123 BARCELONA, AGE-FRIENDLY CITY n Professional College of Doctors of n ORGANISATIONS AND ASSOCIATIONS Barcelona (Col·legi Oficial de Metges n Platja d’Aro Club for the Elderly de Barcelona, COMB)/Retired Doctors Association (Associació Casal Gent Department Gran Platja d’Aro) n CONNEX n Verdum Club for the Elderly n Dones Mundi Association – Crafts (Associació Casal n Coordinator of Municipal Clubs for the Gent Gran de Verdum - Artesania) Elderly n Mossèn Clapés Club for the Elderly n Coordinator of Representatives and Association (Associació Casal Gent Pensioners of the Federation of Gran Mossèn Clapés) Residents’ Associations of Barcelona n Casalet del Turó Cultural Association n Federation of Associations of (Associació Cultural Casalet del Turó) Senior Citizens of Catalonia (Federació n Casa Nostra Club for the Elderly d’Associacions de Gent Gran de Association (Associació Casal Gent Catalunya, FATEC) Gran Casa Nostra) n Catalan Federation of the Democratic n Bascònia Club for the Elderly Union of Pensioners (Federació Association (Associació de Gent Gran Catalana de la Unió Democràtica Casal Bascònia) de Pensionistes, FCUDP) n Vallbona Club for the Elderly n Federation of Catalan Association (Associació de Gent Gran Organisations of Senior Citizens de Vallbona) (Federació d’Organitzacions Catalanes n Penitents Association of Retirees and de Gent Gran, FOCAGG) Pensioners (Associació de Jubilats n Les Grans / Ca la Dona i Pensionistes Penitents) n Association to Promote Consumer n Pau Casals Association of Retirees Guidance for the Elderly (Associació and Pensioners (Associació de Promotora de l’Orientació del Consum Pensionistes i Jubilats Pau Casals) de la Gent Gran, PROGRAN) n La Sedeta Association of Retirees n Spanish Seniors for Technical and Pensioners (Associació de Cooperation (Seniors Españoles para Pensionistes i Jubilats La Sedeta) la Cooperación Técnica, SECOT) n Siracusa Club for the Elderly n Catalan Union of Seniors (Unió Brotherhood Association (Associació Catalana de Sèniors) Germanor Casal d’Avis Siracusa) n Union of Pensioners, Retirees and Early n Congrés-Indians Residents Association Retirees of the UGT (Unió de Pensionis- (Associació de Veïns Congrés-Indians) tes, Jubilats i Prejubilats de la UGT) n Association of Residents and Traders n CCOO Trade Union of Barcelona (Unió of Plaça Lesseps (Associació De Veïns Sindical de CCOO del Barcelonès, i comerciants de la Plaça Lesseps USCOB) n Association of Residents and Traders n Workers’ Trade Union of Catalonia of carrer La Cera (Associació de Veïns (Unió Sindical Obrera de Catalunya, i Comerciants del carrer La Cera) USOC). Federation of Retirees and n Meridiano Cero Residents Association Pensioners (Associació de Veïns Meridiano Cero) n Association for the Protection of the n Sagrada Família Residents Association Elderly (Associació per la Defensa de (Associació de Veïns Sagrada Família) la Gent Gran, ADEGG) n Association of the Residents Platform n Women’s Network for the over-50s of Sant Andreu (Associació Plataforma (Xarxa de Dones de 50 i més) veïnal de Sant Andreu) 124 BARCELONA, AGE-FRIENDLY CITY n Friends Association of La Bordeta n Secretariat of Organisations of Sants, (Associació Amics de la Bordeta) Hostafrancs and La Bordeta n Representative of Retirees of the Residents Association of Horta n BARCELONA CITY COUNCIL (Associació de Veïns i Veïnes d’Horta) n Executive Management n Representative of Retirees of Font (Social Action and Citizenship) de la Guatlla-Magoria (Jubilats Font de la Guatlla-Magoria) n Department for Health Services (Social Action and Citizenship) n Senior Citizens Representative of the Residents Association of La França n Department for Social Participation (Associació de Veïns la França) (Social Action and Citizenship) n National Coordinator of Pensioners n Department for Civil Rights and Retirees of Catalonia (Social Action and Citizenship) n Department for the Elderly n Association for Effective Women (Associació per la Dona Efectiva, APDE) (Social Action and Citizenship) n Elisenda de Montcada Womens’ n Department for Basic Social Services Association (Associació de Dones (Social Action and Citizenship) Elisenda de Montcada) n Department of Communications n Association of Forced Retirees (Social Action and Citizenship) (Associació de Jubilats Forçosos) n Department for Conflict Management Nou Horitzó Association (Social Action and Citizenship)n n Association for Development and n Department for Participation Well-being (Associació pel Benestar and Associations (Education, Culture i el Desenvolupament, ABD) and Welfare) n Association for the Leisure and Culture n Department for Immigration of the Third Age (Associación por la and Cooperation (Education, Culture Cultura y el Ocio de la Tercera Edad, and Welfare) ACOTE n Department for Women n Avismón (Education, Culture and Welfare) n Solidary Bank of Free Services n Department for Uses of Time (Banc Solidari de Serveis Gratuïts) (Education, Culture and Welfare) n Càritas Diocesana de Barcelona n Department for Community Centres Centre Passatge (Education, Culture and Welfare)n n Professional College of Educators n Department for Prevention Services of Catalonia (Col·legi de Pedagogs (Prevention, Security and Mobility) de Catalunya) n Department for Mobility Services Professional College of Economists (Prevention, Security and Mobility)n of Catalonia (Col·legi d’Economistes n Department for Communications de Catalunya) and Information Systems n Colla Cuidadora (Carer team) n Road Safety Education of the City n Commission for the Elderly of the Police Force Community Plan of Poble-Sec n Department for Green Space Services n Coordinator of Health Users (Environment) n Red Cross n Municipal Social Services Institute n Culture. Solidarity/Peace, Community n Barcelona Sports Institute of Sant Egidi n Municipal Institute of Education n Friends of the Elderly Foundation n Municipal Institute for People with (Fundació Amics de la Gent Gran) Disabilities 125 BARCELONA, AGE-FRIENDLY CITY n Municipal Institute of Parks n PARTICIPANTS IN THE and Gardens SIMULTANEOUS WORK SPACES n Municipal Housing Board OF THE THIRD CONVENTION n Transports Metropolitans de Barcelona n Social and community participation (Public Transport Network, TMB) Mr Antoni Navarro, member of the Health Consortium of Barcelona Senior Citizens Advisory Counciln Social Services Consortium of Barcelona Ms Glòria Meler, Director of Citizen n Participation, Barcelona City Council n Housing Consortium of Barcelona Ms Esther Quintana, Head of the n Library Consortium of Barcelona Senior Citizens Department, Barcelona n Department of Services for Residents City Council of the Ciutat Vella district Ms Pura Hidalgo, volunteer for n Department of Services for Residents intergenerational projects in the of the Eixample district district of Sants-Montjuïc Department of Services for Residents Mr Víctor Pérez, student at the n of the district of Sants-Montjuic University of Barcelona “University Sharing” n Department of Services for Residents of the district of Les Corts Ms Estrella Hernández, volunteer at the Baix Guinardó club for the elderly n Department of Services for Residents Ms Paula Garcia, promotional figure at of Sarrià-Sant Gervasi the Baix Guinardó club for the elderly n Department of Services for Residents of the Gràcia district n Mobility and transport n Department of Services for Residents Ms Montserrat Moll, member of the of the district of Horta-Guinardó Senior Citizens Advisory Council n Department of Services for Residents Mr Carles López, Department of of the Nou Barris district Mobility, Barcelona City Council n Department of Services for Residents Ms Maribel Cruset, Road Safety of the district of Sant Andreu Education of the City Police Force of n Department of Services for Residents Barcelona of the district of Sant Martí Ms Maite Peris, Director of the n Department of Planning of the district Corporate Development Service and of Sant Martí Public Relations of TMB n Accessibility and public spaces Ms Josefina Leoncio, member of the Senior Citizens Advisory Council Ms Montse Rivero, Strategic Plan for the Urban Green Space, Parks and Gardens Among the thousands of elderly people Ms Elena Mas, Department for who participated in this project (through Prevention, Barcelona City Council the district Forums for the elderly, the Ms Amparo Cid, volunteer in the discussion groups and the Third Conven- Physical Activity and Company project, tion), many do not belong to any of these Nou Barris district organisations but have given their input as Mr Josep Ordóñez, Head of the Local users of clubs and spaces for the elderly, Network of Urban Gardens nursing homes and assisted housing, or as Ms Paquita Surribas, vegetable farmer residents of Barcelona. of the Can Mestres vegetable garden 126 BARCELONA, AGE-FRIENDLY CITY n Housing Mr Josep Maria Raya, Director of Mr Juan Manuel Velasco, member of Personal Services of the Gràcia district the Senior Citizens Advisory Council Ms Olga Palau, volunteer at Can Mr Lluís Fajarí, Housing Department, Castelló club for the elderly Barcelona City Council Mr Josep Muniente, volunteer on the Ms Magdalena Alum, user of Joan Solidarity Commission of Navas club Torras assisted housing for the elderly Ms Carolina Canal, Director of Joan Ms Marifé Molano, promotional figure Torras assisted housing at Navas club for the elderly Ms Eva Galofré, promotional figure in Ms Lídia Mas and Mr Eduard Garcia, the “Let’s get out” project Community members of the Colla Cuidadora Plan of Poble-Sec (Carer team) Mr Eduard Garcia, volunteer for the “Let’s get out” project Community Plan n Respect and inclusion of Poble-Sec Ms Montserrat Rabella, member of the Ms Elvira Cerro, participant in the Senior Citizens Advisory Council “Let’s get out” project Community Plan Ms Mari Fe Calderón, Immigration of Poble-Sec Department, Barcelona City Council Mr Eduard Garcia Freixades, FOCAGG Mr Ventura Lázaro, volunteer at Vall d’Hebron club for the elderly n Social and health services Ms Marta Borrell, promotional figure Mr Jordi Galligó, member of the Senior at Vall d’Hebron club for the elderly Citizens Advisory Council Ms Montserrat Canals, member of the Mr Francesc Porret, member of the core group of the AHEAD project Senior Citizens Advisory Council Ms Montserrat Sarri, FATEC Ms Lucía Artazcoz, Public Health Agency of Barcelona n Communication and information Mr Ramon Mora, Manager of the Municipal Social Services Institute, Ms M. Lluïsa Oliveda, member of the Barcelona City Council Senior Citizens Advisory Council Ms Núria Losano, Barcelona Sports Ms Pilar Guinchard, Citizen Institute, Barcelona City Council Information Department, Barcelona City Council Mr Antonio Gil, social educator at For- tpienc nursing home Mr Joan Domínguez, volunteer at the Ms Irene Peña, resident of Fortpienc San Antoni Space for the Elderly nursing home Ms Cristina Jordà, promotional figure Ms M. Luz Rodríguez, President of the in the Digital Literacy project of the Association of Relatives of Fortpienc district of Les Corts nursing home Mr Joan Arumí, member of the Can Ms Rosa Rubio, Regional Director of Saladrigas club for the elderly Social Services for the Gràcia district Mr Norberto Sinatra, promotional Mr Joan Clota, neighbourhood radar in figure in the Virtual Memory project the Radars project in the Gràcia district of the San Martí district n Mutual support and aid Ms Dolors Fita, member of the Senior Citizens Advisory Council 127 BARCELONA, AGE-FRIENDLY CITY 128 BARCELONA, AGE-FRIENDLY CITY References n 2008-2011 Municipal Action Plan n 2006-2010 Municipal Programme for the Elderly n Municipal Citizen Participation Master Plan for the period 2010-2015, n Municipal Social Inclusion Plan. Barcelona Inclusiva 2005-2010 n 2010-2015 Municipal Plan for Lesbians, Gays, Transsexuals and Bisexuals n City Education Project. 2008-2011 Action Plan n Municipal Senior Centres and Facilities Improvement Plan n 2006-2018 Urban Mobility Plan (Pla de Mobilitat Urbana, PMU) n 2010 Universal Accessibility Master Plan, Transports Metropolitans de Barcelona (TMB) n Barcelona Public Safety Plan. 2009-2011 n 2009 Barcelona Intercultural Plan n 2011 Green Strategic Plan n The LAPAD (Law 39/2006 on promotion of personal autonomy and care for dependants) includes the aim of preventing dependence n Law 12/2007 on social services n Law 9/2003 on Mobility 129 BARCELONA, AGE-FRIENDLY CITY Language adviser: Rosa Chico Photography by: Image copyright: Direcció d’Imatge i Serveis Editorials. Barcelona City Council Photographers: Vicente Zambrano Pepa Álvarez Cristina Diestro Carolina Garcia Luis Clúa Ariadna Borràs Antonia Lajusticia David Castañer Design and layout: Estudi la Maquineta 130 BARCELONA, AGE-FRIENDLY CITY www.bcn.cat/consellgentgran Qualitat de Vida, Igualtat i Esports