The increase in the population aged 65 and over has led to increased interest in the health of older citizens and their social involvement within society. As a result, The Söderhamn Municipality is seeking to improve the lives of older adults through the establishment of an age-friendly city based on WHO’s eight development areas, community support with transport and mobility, housing and housing, social inclusion, good health care, outdoor environments, parks and buildings, respect and social belonging and possible development areas are now looking for.

Older people want to be involved in and be able to influence and inform the decisions made in the municipality when it comes to issues concerning them.The municipal board has identified a need for Söderhamn municipality as a whole to work proactively to become a better city to live and age in.

Söderhamn municipality is working to improve several of the municipality’s governing documents to create and establish a variety of age-friendly policies.  The municipality’s master plan includes increased attention to ensuring attractive and safe housing, public environments, and other services to support individuals as they age. The municipality’s housing supply programme also highlights the importance of paying special attention to the needs of the ageing population and ensuring an accessible housing market. This includes creating new housing but also improving the accessibility of the existing housing options to meet the needs of the municipality’s older residents.

Söderhamn municipality has also begun work to reduce loneliness among older adults and has hired a project manager to establish contacts with pensioners’ organizations and other civil society organizations to support these efforts.