Background: Indonesian older adults experience challenges to age in place, especially in urban community, because the health, social and economic systems are not yet ready to manage an aging population. To help older adults manage these challenges, an urban community in Kuningan village, Sleman Regency, Special Region of Yogyakarta, Indonesia developed community-based activities to ensure a friendly community for older adults, for example through the development of older adults’ group; the provision of health, social and recreational activities; and the development of a monitoring and support system for older adults living alone and experiencing physical challenges. Understanding how the community managed these efforts can provide some pointers about strategies to promote age friendly community in developing countries, especially in Indonesia.

 

Aim: To explore the development and maintenance of an age friendly community in an urban community in Kuningan village, Sleman Regency, Special Region of Yogyakarta, Indonesia

 

Method: This is a qualitative study using a case study approach. The case is the ability of an urban community in Kuningan village, Sleman Regency to maintain an age friendly community since 2007. This study answers the research questions: 1) “how to develop an age friendly community?” and 2) “how does the community maintain an age friendly community?”. Data were collected through interviews with 6 older adults, 1 community leader, and 1 health provider; focus group discussion with 12 caregivers; and observations of several community activities related to the older adults. Data were analysed descriptively.

 

Results: Age friendly community was initiated by collaboration between the community and external parties, such as academics, governments and non-government organizations. Maintaining an age friendly community requires active efforts from the community, especially the older adults, to support the needs of the older adults and maintain collaboration with external parties. To ensure the well-being of all older adults in the community, maintaining community values, such as harmony, tolerance, compassion and mutual cooperation, is important. Social, economic, and mental health supports for family caregivers are also needed. Strategies to ensure sustainability include ensuring the regeneration of the older adults’ group; developing interesting activities, such as lotteries and other recreational activities; and opening the activities for younger ages.

 

Conclusion: The development and maintenance of age friendly community require active efforts from the community and collaboration with external parties. Innovation is important to encourage community participation in order to maintain the sustainability of the age friendly environment.