Going forward, local governments that implement policies tailored to older adults will be designated and supported by the government as "age-friendly cities."
The Ministry of Health and Welfare said on the 13th that the Cabinet approved a partial amendment to the Enforcement Decree of the Welfare of Senior Citizens Act that sets the criteria, procedures, and support details for designating age-friendly cities.
An age-friendly city is a locality that operates various policies so that older adults actively participate in regional policy and development processes, empowers older adults, ensures care and safety, and enables a healthy and vibrant later life.
The specific conditions for an age-friendly city under the decree approved this time are: ▲ establishing an organizational system and staffing base to implement projects ▲ track record of implementing projects for older adult participation, empowerment, care, safety, and a healthy later life ▲ a plan to create an age-friendly city.
The designation as an age-friendly city is valid for five years. The ministry may provide support to age-friendly cities in areas such as education, consulting, establishing cooperation systems, and promotion.
The ministry said, "With the entry into a super-aged society, guiding age-friendly policy operations at the basic local government level is expected to improve the quality of life of older adults in the community," and noted, "We plan to provide detailed guidelines for age-friendly cities in the first half of this year."