Background
Objectives
Method/design
Inclusion and exclusion criteria
Search strategy
Database | Strategy | Number of articles |
---|---|---|
Web of Science | “age-friendly” OR “elderly-friendly” OR “age-friendliness” OR “age-inclusive” OR “age-appropriate” OR “senior-friendly” OR “geriatric-friendly” OR “elder-friendly” (Topic) AND cities OR “urban space” OR city OR town OR community OR communities OR environment OR neighborhood OR neighbourhood (Topic) AND standards OR indicators OR components OR criteria OR features OR characteristics OR indexes (Topic) AND aging OR elderly OR “older adults” (Topic) and English (Languages) and Early Access or Proceeding Paper or Meeting Abstract or Book Review or Retracted Publication or Book Chapters or Editorial Material (Exclude – Document Types) | 563 |
Pubmed | (((“age-friendly“[Title/Abstract] OR “elderly-friendly“[Title/Abstract] OR “age-friendliness“[Title/Abstract] OR “age-inclusive“[Title/Abstract] OR “age-appropriate“[Title/Abstract] OR “senior-friendly“[Title/Abstract] OR “geriatric-friendly“[Title/Abstract] OR “elder-friendly“[Title/Abstract]) AND (cities[Title/Abstract] OR cities[Mesh] OR"urban space“[Title/Abstract] OR city[Title/Abstract] OR town[Title/Abstract] OR community[Title/Abstract] OR communities[Title/Abstract] OR environment[Title/Abstract] OR neighborhood[Title/Abstract] OR neighbourhood[Title/Abstract])) AND (standards[Title/Abstract] OR standards[Mesh] OR indicators[Title/Abstract] OR components[Title/Abstract] OR criteria[Title/Abstract] OR features[Title/Abstract] OR characteristics[Title/Abstract] OR indexes[Title/Abstract])) AND (aging[Title/Abstract] OR aging[Mesh] OR elderly[Title/Abstract] OR “older adults“[Title/Abstract]) | 174 |
Cochrane | (“age-friendly” OR “elderly-friendly” OR “age-friendliness” OR “age-inclusive” OR “age-appropriate” OR “senior-friendly” OR “geriatric-friendly” OR “elder-friendly”):ti, ab, kw AND (cities OR “urban space” OR city OR town OR community OR communities OR environment OR neighborhood OR neighbourhood): ti, ab, kw AND (standards OR indicators OR components OR criteria OR features OR characteristics OR indexes): ti, ab, kw AND (aging OR elderly OR “older adults”):ti, ab, kw | 0 |
ScienceDirect | (“age-friendly” OR “elderly-friendly” OR “age-friendliness” OR “age-inclusive” OR “age-appropriate” OR “senior-friendly” OR “geriatric-friendly” OR “elder-friendly”) AND (aging) Title, abstract, keywords: AND (cities) AND (standards OR indicators OR components OR criteria OR features OR characteristics OR indexes) | 185 |
Scopus | ( TITLE-ABS-KEY ( “age-friendly” OR “elderly-friendly” OR “age-friendliness” OR “age-inclusive” OR “age-appropriate” OR “senior-friendly” OR “geriatric-friendly” OR “elder-friendly” ) AND TITLE-ABS-KEY ( cities OR “urban space” OR city OR town OR community OR communities OR environment OR neighborhood OR neighbourhood ) AND TITLE-ABS-KEY ( standards OR indicators OR components OR criteria OR features OR characteristics OR indexes ) AND TITLE-ABS-KEY ( aging OR elderly OR “older adults” ) ) AND ( LIMIT-TO ( LANGUAGE, “English” ) OR LIMIT-TO ( LANGUAGE, “Persian” ) ) | 617 |
Google scholar | “Age-friendly” OR “elderly-friendly” AND cities OR “urban space” AND indicators OR components OR criteria OR features OR characteristics OR indexes AND aging OR elderly OR “older adults” AND Iran | 1100 |
Google scholar with Persian words | “ Age-friendly " AND Component OR Feature OR Indicator OR Criterion AND City AND older adults | 148 |
SID * | “Age-friendly city index” | 16 |
Magiran * | “ Age-friendly " AND Component OR Feature OR Indicator OR Criterion AND City | 54 |
Study screening
Data extraction and synthesis
Quality assessment
Data analysis
Results
Author’s (year) | City | design | objectives | Sampling/ instrument | Findings |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Ghaffari Gilandeh 2022 [30] | Sari | Descriptive | Examining Urban Spaces for Older People Living: Emphasizing the Eight Standard Indicators of an Age-Friendly City | A total of 383 older adults were selected using the convenience sampling method and surveyed using a researcher-made questionnaire. | The mean scores of all indicators were below average. Among these indicators, the social support and health service index had the lowest score. |
Estebsari et al. 2021 [13] | Tehran | Descriptive | Evaluation of Transportation Infrastructure and Urban Space of Tehran based on The Indicators of Age Friendly. | A total of 418 older adults were randomly selected and surveyed using the WHO questionnaire. | Among the four investigated indicators, the highest and lowest mean scores were related to the housing index and the health services index, respectively. |
Barzanjeh Atri 2022 [24] | Tabriz | Descriptive | Elderly’s Viewpoints on Components of Age-Friendly Cities | A total of 351 older adults were randomly selected and surveyed using the WHO questionnaire. | None of the four health-related components were within the standard range. The highest mean score was assigned to the health and treatment component. |
Karami et al. 2022 [25] | Kermanshah | Descriptive | An Age-Friendly City Indicators of Kermanshah Based on WHO Model | A total of 384 older adults were selected using the census method and 36 urban managers were randomly selected and surveyed using the WHO questionnaire. | The overall score of the city was 2.33 from the point of view of the older adults and 2.55 from the point of view of the managers (from 5). There was a significant difference in most indicators between the views of the older adults and managers. |
Morowatisharifabad et al. 2022* [12] | Kashan | Descriptive | Age-Friendly City Indicators from the Viewpoint of Older Adults in Kashan City, Iran | A total of 379 older adults were randomly selected and surveyed using a standard questionnaire. | The health and treatment index obtained the highest mean score, while the communication index obtained the lowest mean score. |
AhmadiTeymourlouy et al. 2019* [40] | Tehran | Descriptive | Assessing the suitability of the design, safety and physical environment of hospitals for elderly: a case study in Iran | Six hospitals in Tehran were observed using the Age-Friendly Health Care Centers Toolkit of WHO and a standard checklist. | The majority of the hospitals exhibited relatively good safety in the physical environment, but they showed poor resource management and provision of special programs and healthcare systems for older adults. |
Nazm Far et al. 2023 [31] | Babool | Descriptive | Assessing and Evaluating the Effects of Urban livability on the Realization of an Elderly-Friendly City | A total of 384 older adults were randomly selected and surveyed using a researcher-made questionnaire. | Out of 12 districts of Babol, only district 4 was elderly-friendly. Among the indicators of the age-friendly city, the index of public spaces and buildings with a weight of 0.2160 won the first place. |
Gholami et al. 2022 [34] | Borazjan | Descriptive | Measuring and Evaluating the Indicators of an Elderly-Friendly City | A total of 368 older adults were chosen through convenience sampling and surveyed through a researcher-developed questionnaire to assess seven indicators of an age-friendly city. | The mean scores of all indicators were below average. The lowest was linked to the index of respect for older adults. |
Nazmfar et al. 2018 [26] | Bokan | Descriptive | The Feasibility Study of Age-Friendly City in Iranian Cities | A sample of 100 citizens was selected using the convenience sampling method and surveyed using a standard questionnaire to assess the indicators of an age-friendly city. | The mean scores of all indicators fell below the standard. The highest score was associated with the social index, while the lowest score was linked to the communication index. |
Ahmadi Teymourlouy et al. 2015* [39] | Tehran | Descriptive | Towards age-Friendly Hospitals in Developing Countries: A Case Study in Iran. | A total of 26 hospitals in Tehran were selected using the convenience sampling method and assessed using a checklist across three dimensions: information and education, management systems, and physical environment and access. | The majority of the hospitals exhibited favorable physical environments and access to public transportation. However, the healthcare-educational programs for older adults, the interaction of the medical staff with old patients, and their prioritization systems were not satisfactory. |
Heidari et al. 2021 [48] | Zanjan | Descriptive | Monitoring the Theory of the Right to the City in Reproducing Age–Friendly Space of the City | A total of 170 older adults were selected using a cluster sampling method and assessed using a questionnaire to examine the components and dimensions of the Right to the City theory. | The area under study had a lower-than-standard status based on the theory (2.94). The mean score for the right to use urban space was 3.01, indicating an unfavorable condition. |
Samei et al. 2022 [27] | Tabriz | Descriptive | Viewpoints of Older People toward the Features of Age-Friendly Communities: Map for Charting Progress in Tabriz, Iran | A random sample of 384 older adults was assessed using the WHO’s Global Age-Friendly Cities Guide. | The dimension of outdoor spaces and buildings received the highest score (32.06 ± 11.94), while the dimension of communication and information obtained the lowest score (9 ± 0.27). |
Sharqi et al. 2016 [49] | Tehran | Descriptive | Evaluating Status of Global Indices of Age-Friendly City in Tehran Metropolis (AFC) | A total of 110 experts in the field of geriatrics were chosen using convenience sampling and assessed using the WHO’s questionnaire. | The transportation index had the highest score (6.57), while the civic participation and employment index had the lowest score (2.05). |
Janipour et al. 2019 [47] | Karaj | Descriptive | Environmental Needs Assessment of the Elderly in Karaj Urban Parks | A total of 299 older adults and their cohabitants were selected using stratified random sampling and assessed employing a standard questionnaire. | The older adults expressed dissatisfaction with the absence of fences and sloping surfaces, memorable elements, cool halls, and relief facilities. |
Iranshahi et al. 2017 [14] | Isfahan | Descriptive (case study) | An evaluation of Urban Spaces Conformity with the Indicators of Age-Friendly City; the Case of Chahar Bagh-e Abbasi Street of Isfahan | The geographic information system (GIS) was used to observe, measure, and analyze the desirability of indicators. | Sanitary services, public transportation, and rest areas were identified as the most desirable indicators. |
Bastani et al. 2016* [46] | Tehran | Descriptive | Age–friendly Cities Feature from the Elderly’s Perspectives Underscoring “Community Support and Health Services” | A stratified sampling method was used to select 400 older adults and the WHO’s guide for community support and health services was used to assess them. | The total mean score for the community support and healthcare services index was 26.82, falling below the questionnaire’s midpoint. The lowest mean score was linked to free home care services. |
Taraghi et al. 2018 [32] | Sari | Descriptive | A Comparison of Older Adults’ and Managers’ Attitudes towards Age-Friendly City Indexes. | A total of 379 older people and 57 managers were randomly selected and assessed using the WHO’s questionnaire of indicators of age-friendly cities. | The older adults expressed concerns about the absence of a dedicated information center to address their health and service needs, as well as the inadequate policy for constructing new housing tailored to their requirements. |
Sabouri Garde 2019 [28] | Ardebil | Descriptive (case study) | Design of Urban Spaces for the Elderly and Disabled (Case Study: Shorabil Recreation and Tourism Area) | A total of 381 citizens, were selected through convenience sampling and assessed through a researcher-developed questionnaire, interviews, and field observations. | Upon evaluating the three dimensions of usage, physical aspects, and environmental factors, it was determined that this area lacked ramps, escalators, parking, and benches, making it unfavorable for older adults. |
Izanloo et al. 2021 [44] | Tehran | Descriptive | Spatial Justice in the Age-Friendly City Index of Tehran | A multi-stage sampling method was employed to select 770 older adults and the WHO’s standard questionnaire was used to assess them. | Tehran achieved a score of 2.07 out of 4 for the age-friendly city index. Among the indices, the open spaces and buildings index had the highest average (2.33), while the housing index had the lowest average (1.31). |
Kiaie et al. 2019 [61] | Qazvin | Descriptive | Evaluating Age-Friendly City Indicators in Qazvin: Urban Open Spaces, Buildings and Public Places | A cluster random sampling method was used to select 200 older adults, while a convenience sampling method was used to select 40 urban managers. They were assessed using the age-friendly city questionnaire based on the WHO’s guide. | The buildings, public places, and open spaces were found to be below the ideal standard for older adults. The mean score of the urban open spaces index was significantly higher than the mean score of the managers. |
Araee et al. 2020 [16] | Karaj | Descriptive (case study) | An Analysis of the Experience of the Old Friendly City (Case Study: Karaj City) | Some areas of Karaj city were observed using a researcher-made checklist that assessed physical and social dimensions. | Within the physical dimension, transportation was the least desirable indicator for an age-friendly city. In the social dimension, social security was the least desirable indicator for an age-friendly city. |
Khoddam et al. 2020* [33] | Gorgan | Descriptive | The Age–Friendly Cities Characteristics from the Viewpoint of Elderly | A total of 160 older adults were selected using a multi-stage random sampling method and assessed using the WHO’s Age-Friendly City Questionnaire, focusing on 4 indicators. | The highest score belonged to the level of access to social support and health services (81.43), while the lowest score belonged to the transportation index (43.3). |
Zaraghani et al. 2015 [15] | Mashhad | Descriptive | Evaluation of Indicators of the Elderly City in Mashhad with Emphasis on Cultural-Social Indicators. | A total of 380 older adults were selected using a stratified sampling method and assessed employing a researcher’s questionnaire based on the WHO’s criteria across four components. | Except for the component of healthcare services, which was reported below the standard, the rest of the indicators were average and slightly higher. The lowest score was related to the health service index. |
Soleimani et al. 2012 [41] | Tehran | Descriptive | Ranking of Tehran Metropolitan Areas based on Elderly Life Indicators. | A total of 22 districts of Tehran were selected using the census method and assessed using the Shannon entropy model and the TOPSIS multi-criteria decision-making technique. | In comparison to other districts of Tehran, the East and South districts were found to be in less favorable conditions. District 17 was ranked as the least suitable. |
Rakhshaninasab et al. 2022 [35] | Yasuj | Descriptive | Evaluating Indicators of the Desirable City for the Elderly (Case Study: Yasuj City) | A random sample of 380 older adults was surveyed using a researcher-developed questionnaire to assess the elderly-friendly city across five components. | The city lacked appropriate conditions for the elderly, with the access dimension being the most favorable and the transportation dimension being the least favorable. |
Nekooei et al. 2021 [45] | Isfahan (Hezar Jarib Neighborhood) | Descriptive | Explanation of the Planning of Elderly-Friendly Urban Spaces, A Case Study: Hezar Jarib Neighborhood. | A random sample of 346 citizens was surveyed using a researcher-developed questionnaire to assess the elderly-friendly city across eight components. | The condition of the indicators was deemed unfavorable from the citizens’ perspective, with only three indicators—open space and buildings, housing, and transportation—being considered favorable. |
Saberifar 2023 [38] | Metropolitan cities of Iran (Tehran, Mashhad, Isfahan, Shiraz, and Tabriz) | Descriptive | Evaluating the Results of Policies in the Field of Elderly-friendly Cities in Iranian Metropolises. | A total of 500 citizens were selected using a quota sampling method and surveyed using a researcher-developed questionnaire to assess the elderly-friendly city across eight components. | The indexes’ coefficients were below the median (0.492). In most cities, the space and building index was rated as the least favorable. |
Mohammadi et al. 2018 [36] | Sabzehvar | Descriptive | Assessment of the Suitability of the Structure of Mosques in the Light of the Elderly’s Needs. | A total of 30 mosques were selected using convenience sampling and assessed using a researcher-made questionnaire. | The outer and inner doors in mosques were not in the same level, and there were a large number of stairs, no ramps, and inadequate sanitary services and ablutions. |
Safa et al. 2024* [42] | Kashan | Descriptive | Examining the status of age-friendly indicators in Kashan | A total of 80 locations in four districts of Kashan city were selected by random sampling method and investigated using the researcher’s checklist. | Open buildings and offices, roads and urban transportation, parks, and public spaces, in terms of being friendly to older adults, were in average condition, and only religious places were in good condition. |
Abasian et al. 2023 [37] | Khorasan Razavi Province | Descriptive | Investigating the compliance of teaching hospitals of Khorasan Razavi Province of Iran with the criteria of age-friendly hospitals. | A total of 16 teaching hospitals were selected using census sampling and assessed using the checklist of age-friendly hospitals. | The lack of trained personnel in the field of geriatrics, inappropriate healthcare management systems, and lack of prioritizing older adults in providing services were the main problems of hospitals. |
Komasi et al. 2023* [29] | Songhor | Descriptiv-analytical | Evaluating the health-treatment situation of Songhor City about usefulness for the elderly | A total of 30 experts in urban planning, housing, and medicine were selected by snowball sampling and their opinions were analyzed using a researcher-made questionnaire. | About two-thirds of treatment facilities are inaccessible to older adults. Government policies were the most important driving factor for creating an age-friendly city. |
Mohammadaghaee et al. 2015 [23] | Karaj | Mixed method | Restoring the Appropriate Model in the Design of Urban Sidewalks with the Approach of Responding to the Needs of the Elderly (Case Study: Jahanshahr Area of Karaj) | A total of 100 older adults were chosen through convenience sampling to participate in interviews and complete a researcher-developed questionnaire focusing on the four components affecting sidewalks. | Lack of suitable space for walking, poor ease of access, interference of vehicular and pedestrian axes, the poor quality of passages, and concerns about social security, had caused older adults to be dissatisfied with the sidewalks. |
Kalantar et al. 2021 [22] | Babol | Qualitative | Identifying Structural Suitability Components of Aged-friendly Mosques in Iran: A Qualitative Study. | A total of 18 older adults were selected through purposeful sampling and semi-structured interviews. | The older adults highlighted issues such as inadequate parking access, insufficient public transportation, inadequate safety measures, problems with the cooling and heating systems, and inadequate ablutions and sanitary services. |
Sadeghi et al. 2012 [21] | Tabriz | Qualitative | Elderly People and Their Family Care Explanation of Their Experience from Age–Friendly City of Tabriz | A total of 32 older adults or their caregivers were selected through purposeful sampling and group interviews. | The most unpleasant experiences included the absence of a sewage system, the presence of vermin, inadequate transportation, and issues related to addicts in the parks. |
Domains of age-friendly cities | Major defects |
---|---|
The open spaces and public buildings | -Lack of escalators [49] -Lack of spaces with heating systems and emergency services in open spaces [47] |
The transportation | -The unavailability of transportation services at all hours of the day [25] -The lack of free transportation services for older adults [21] |
The social support and health services | -Lack of support services at health centers for older adults [39] -Lack of specialized programs for older adults [37] |
The housing | -The lack of policies for age-friendly housing [32] |
The social participation | - Older adults lack of participation in urban decision-making [48] - Limited involvement of older adults with community activities [30] - Limited participation of older people in voluntary activities [34] |
The communication and information | - Lack of information boards with fonts and colors suitable for older adults [26] |
The recreational cultural | -Lack of suitable programs for leisure [49] -Lack of suitable sports places [42] -Improper platform for the participation of older adults in cultural affairs [32] -Lack of morning sports programs in parks [24] -Lack of pilgrimage and recreational trips [24] |
Respect for the older adults and social acceptance | -Lack of voluntary services for older adults [32] -Lack of participation in social programs [34] -Lack of special shopping mall for older adults [26] |
Civic participation and employment | -Unsafe workplaces for older adults [49] -Lack of part-time jobs for older adults [44] |