Santander has been a member of the WHO Global Network of Age-friendly Cities and Communities (GNAFCC) since December 2012, with the commitment to develop an action plan to improve the quality of life of the elderly population with methodology of the GNAFCC. Specifically, the action plan aims to improve seniors’ quality of life, and to promote participation and security in all generations, so as to facilitate a longer and more active life with plenty of opportunities for older people.

The action plan is based on three broad pillars:

• The need to raise awareness and train the general public about the role of older people in a modern, dynamic and tight-knitted society
• The need to better understand the capabilities of older adults, including their functional, cognitive and social status, their needs and their available and required resources in the short, medium and long term
• The need to take advantage of the experience gathered from seniors to give continuity to the actions of promotion, care and improvement of life in the city

Actions based on these principles were carried out:

• Creating channels for active participation of elder population
• Older Adult Plan (currently in process) through the study and analysis of the overall health status and the nutritional, functional, cognitive and social situation of older people, as well as the available and required resources, by identifying needs, prioritizing them so as to allow the formulation of an action plan.
• Continuation of actions already initiated to promote personal autonomy and care for dependents, as well as health promotion and environmental and social awareness. Continual emphasis on the improvements achieved in Home Care Service, Telecare, removal of architectural barriers, program urban observers, installing ramps and escalators, network adapted for people with reduced mobility buses, etc, to raise awareness of such services and facilities