Desafios e potencialidades do envelhecimento na cidade de Évora

Population aging is a key issue in contemporary societies. It reflects advances in health and social conditions while also presenting significant challenges for governments and communities. There is a strong trend for people to wish to age in their homes and communities, preserving their ties, memories, and relationships, which aligns with the concept of ageing in place. Societies face the challenge of planning and adapting urban spaces for the elderly population, considering aspects such as accessibility, safety, availability of services, and opportunities for social participation, promoting active and healthy aging. This exploratory and cross-sectional study, using both quantitative and qualitative methodologies, aimed to assess whether the city of Évora is an age-friendly city, providing the necessary conditions to promote active and healthy aging with a good quality of life. The sample consisted of 60 people living in their homes in Évora, aged between 65 and 95 years. The Questionnaire on Essential Features of Age-Friendly Cities (Morais et al., 2014), adapted from the "Checklist of Essential Features of Age-Friendly Cities" (WHO, 2007), was used. Although Évora is considered an age-friendly city and acceptable for all, improvements are still needed. As a result, an intervention project titled "Support + Age" was proposed, aiming to enhance the quality of life of older people in Évora.