Are there Age-Friendly Cities in Florida that Can Relate to Conakry?

Dr. ADAM TABRIZ
3 min readSep 21, 2023

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Eduardo Barrios on Unsplash

In the far-reaching corners of the globe, from Conakry, Guinea, to sunny Florida, aging is a journey that unites us all. Our cherished elders encounter distinct obstacles threatening their vitality and mobility each year. But what if our communities and cities were designed to cater to their unique needs? This piece explores the notion of creating age-friendly urban spaces, using the vibrant locale of Conakry as a point of reference for exemplary transformation.

The elderly citizens of Conakry face numerous hurdles when it comes to their health and well-being-, regardless of whether they reside in rural or urban regions. From their experiences, it is clear that maintaining good health and living in adequate housing are crucial components of leading a fulfilling life. Additionally, many express apprehension over matters such as feeding themselves and securing their offspring’s education and safety.

In sub-Saharan African countries like Guinea, we can understand the concept of age-friendly cities and communities. We can learn about its specific challenges for older people in this region by exploring its applicability in different contexts. The enlightening study conducted in Conakry has contributed to this understanding.

Conakry’s challenges for older citizens were analyzed. The study found a multitude of barriers across all the protocol’s domains. These obstacles included inadequate living environments, scarcity of green spaces, mobility concerns, lack of nutritious foods, inadequate healthcare, and limited medicine access. By utilizing this report, Conakry can strive towards removing barriers and fostering a healthier and more active aging populace.

Come with me to Florida, where we can explore the potential for age-friendly communities that resemble those in Conakry. This state is renowned for its vast number of elderly residents, making it an exceptional demographic that requires our undivided consideration when designing age-friendly settings.

In Florida, the idea of creating cities and communities that are kind to all ages is commonplace. The concept encompasses a range of elements that support the health and happiness of seniors, including affordable housing, accessible healthcare, supportive resources, social activities, and transportation choices.

In contemplating the possibility of flourishing in retirement in Florida, we can discover relatable experiences with elderly residents of Conakry. Both places struggle with comparable obstructions, like the pursuit of adequate healthcare and reasonable housing solutions. Further hardships encompass matters of food accessibility, education, and individual safety. These commonalities attest to the shared human experience of aging.

To foster age-friendly cities and communities in Florida, we must take a holistic approach that acknowledges and prioritizes our older population’s unique needs and desires. This means implementing initiatives that improve healthcare accessibility, promote affordable housing, encourage community involvement, and foster abundant social support networks. Doing so can make Florida a place where older adults can thrive.

From the lively streets of Conakry, Guinea, we can extract a wealth of insight into developing cities that are friendly towards people of all ages in sub-Saharan African nations. These insights are not merely limited to this region, however. The lessons we learn from the experiences of older people can be applicable across the globe, including locales such as Florida, where the aging population is significant. Let the lessons gleaned from abroad ripple in the winds of change.

Thriving communities for people of all ages can be built by addressing the barriers faced by the elderly and fostering age-friendly environments in both Conakry and Florida. Supporting, belonging, and promoting well-being for older populations can be achieved. We can make strides toward this goal by embracing the diversity of aging experiences.

Let’s not forget that age-friendly environments don’t solely serve older people — they lend a hand to the population as a whole and boost communal welfare and vitality. Collaborating on age-friendly spaces that give credence to seniors’ necessities and maintain their quality of life is an admirable goal. Let’s aim to construct societies where older folks can experience the joys of aging while feeling valued and appreciated.

Originally published at https://original.newsbreak.com.

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Dr. ADAM TABRIZ

In this vast tapestry of existence, I weave my thoughts and observations about all facets of life, offering a perspective that is uniquely my own.