Adapting territories and communities to ageing: public policies and democratic agencies
Résumé
Taking older adults into account in the adaptation of territories and communities to population ageing is gaining increasing importance in public debate. Yet what place is really granted to older people in institutions or in the development of public policies? Depending on the context, how are participative approaches being implanted in territories and communities? To respond to these questions, we compare the French and Québec models of adapting to ageing. We start by examining the institutional models used to consult older adults. We then review the application by both models of the international age-friendly cities and communities (AFCC) program initiated by the World Health Organization (WHO). The interest of the program lies in the possibility of establishing an international comparison on the basis of the same participative protocol. Our work reveals the emergence of two forms of democratic organization in the role played by senior citizens in policies to adapt territories to ageing. In France, the central and local levels are disconnecting and the AFC approach is organized relatively autonomously, according to a voluntary sector logic. In Québec, the AFC initiative reflects an integrated approach that connects central and local levels and is taking root in a culture of community development, giving a stronger voice to older adults.