*7.3.2 Evidence in support of statement*

In the context of strategic priority area-3 (named Supportive Environments) the author of this policy paper herewith makes mention of Senior Friendly Communities Project (SFCP). For the purpose of this work, description on SFCP initiative has been presented under following sub-headings, as outlined below:

A.*Introduction to the SFCP Initiative*: In order to improve the lives of people suffering from dementia and old-age depression, local authorities in parts of the WHO European Region have started undertaking initiatives aimed at combining public health and various social services. The ultimate outcome of the SFCP project is to: *"better support the active and healthy ageing of their senior communities"*. Also, there was emphasis on highlighting an initiative in the Meuse-Rhine Euroregion (EMR). It is important to note that the Senior Friendly Communities Project (SFWP) aims build upon the WHO global and European strategies and action plans on healthy aging and the Age-friendly environments in Europe (AFEE) framework. This framework attempts to (a) design policy tools; and (b) trains local policy-makers in strategy development, local public health interventions, cross-border collaborations, and people-centred approaches for the care and well-being of their elder populations [11].

It is important to note that the project (SFCP) is implemented by the EMR Foundation. The EMR Foundation supports cross-border cooperation between professionals and organizations engaged in maintaining, promoting and improving public health for residents of the EMR. The cooperation, as outlined above, is tailored to the needs of older people and utilizes an integrated approach that combines health and other municipal services (adapted to the specific needs of the local community). Notably, The EMR cross-border region includes parts of Belgium, Germany and the Netherlands [11].

Further, local authorities and the communities they serve have a key role to play in developing and implementing *"evidence-based interventions"* (in order to improve the well-being of people with dementia and old-age depression, and their informal caregivers). It has been found that as elsewhere in the European Region (EU), the EMR initiative has an aging population and an increasing prevalence of dementia (about 2%) and old-age depression (about 25%). Notably, with an overall population (of about 4 million people), Policy makers, local authorities and health professionals are working towards improve the lives of their elder communities [11].

B. *Key Activities*: It is pertinent to note the key activities municipalities can choose from include: (1) multiple strategy workshops for local policy-makers on how to develop a strategic plan focusing on local public health campaigns, inter-sectorial action and cross-border collaboration that contribute to the well-being of people with dementia and old-age depression; (b) training of well-being coaches who work closely with primary care physicians; (c) outreach activities offered by trained volunteers to socially isolated older people; (d) educational sessions on aging, positive health, communicating with people with dementia and on empowering family caregivers; (e) creation of local social networks of older people; (f) education in primary schools on

dementia and depression; (g) cultural activities that include the themes of dementia and depression; and (h) online support tools for informal caregivers [11].

In the Netherlands, e. g., family physicians in the city of Kerkrade are working to identify patients in need of social support. When such patients are identified, doctors offer services provided by well-being coaches. These coaches are volunteers who are trained to support people at risk of old- age depression. Social workers in the Netherlands are also tasked with coordinating teams of volunteers trained to provide telephone support to socially isolated people, who are then contacted every 3 days, or every week, to follow up on their needs and to prevent social isolation. Further, In Euskirchen, Germany, police officers, public transport personnel, fire fighters and shop owners are being trained to communicate with people who have early dementia. In Belgium, municipalities are developing neighborhood groups and networks of older people to improve their social inclusion [11].

C. *Project Assessments and Activities*: The project usually begins with a baseline capacity assessment, which is available in Dutch, English, French and German, and is carried out in each participating municipality. The local community then usually selects a number of activities, which reflect their needs. Support is provided throughout the project to help municipalities implement the activities chosen. Finally, after the initial implementation process, a second assessment is performed to develop a 5-year sustainability plan. Notably, the project euPrevent Senior Friendly Communities receives support from Interreg Euregio Meuse-Rhine with means coming from the European Regional Development Fund [11].
