AGE-CAP (AGE-FRIENDLY COMMUNITIES ASSESSMENT APP)

The Intelligent Assistive Technology and Systems Lab (IATSL) at the University of Toronto (Department of Occupational Science and Therapy) has developed a smart phone app to create a crowd-sourced database of age-friendly locations, called Age-CAP. They are a multi-disciplinary group of researchers (engineering, computer science, occupational therapy, speech-language pathology, and gerontology) who aim to develop zero-effort technologies (technologies that require zero effort from the “user”) that are adaptive, flexible, and intelligent.

You can read more about their work (and participate in a research study in the Toronto area) on their website.

Age-CAP is a cross-platform smart phone application which aims to create a crowd-sourced database of age-friendly locations. It consists of survey-style forms which allow users to quickly rate the age-friendliness of a location or service. The criteria for rating was developed using the World Health Organization’s Global Network of Age-friendly Cities guidelines (which I also worked on during my internship with the WHO in Copenhagen), and age-friendly community initiatives in other North American cities.

Users are also able to browse submitted ratings to assess the age-friendliness of locations in their neighborhood, providing them with information that would otherwise be unavailable.Age-CAP was designed using the universal design criteria, making it suitable for use by older adults. The participation of older adults in the development of age-friendly communities is an example of senior citizenship that fosters cohesive and inclusive communities. Their team aims to enable effective senior citizenship through Age-CAP.

Age-CAP is a free download in iTunes and Google Play (the links will take you directly to the app).

I have downloaded the app for Android and have tried a few times to use it. It seems as though it still has some way to go to be fully functional. For me, it keeps telling me to connect to the internet (although I am already connected), so I have yet to actually view or rate any places. However, when this is up an running, I am VERY excited to see how people use it and rate places and services on their age-friendliness!

If you are interested in reading more on this topic, you can also read my posts on:
Age-friendly Communities in the USA

Normalizing Dementia