Following the completion of fieldwork and data processing, CAS UI and SurveyMETER initiated a sequence of actions to directly deliver the findings of the Capacity Assessment Study for Elderly Friendly Cities to officials in each study sample city. On Monday, June 5, 2013, we traveled to Payakumbuh City in West Sumatra.

"One Step towards the Dream of an Elderly Friendly City in 2030" was the theme of a small workshop that included this dissemination effort in Payakumbuh City. The session took place at Bukik Sibaluik Payakumbuh in the conference room located on the second floor of the city hall office. A representative of the Study Team, Dr. NW Suriastini, M. Phil, Executive Director of SurveyMETER, presented the workshop's material entitled "Portrait of the Elderly, National Commitment, Global Commitment" and dr. Retty Irwan, MPH, from CAS UI, explained the study's findings under the heading "One Step towards the Dream of Elderly-Friendly Cities for Elderly 2030." In addition to the Mayor's Expert Staff for Education and Human Resources, Drs. Edvianus, Secretary of Bappeda Ir. Ismet Ibrahim, M.Si., Daily Chair of the Payakumbuh Senior Citizens Commission H. Syamsuar, BA, Head of the Social and Cultural Division of Bappeda Yulfah Riyanti S.S., M.Si, and several other SKPD leaders were among the participants in the workshop.

This workshop's objective is to share the findings of the Payakumbuh City-based Senior Friendly City (KRL) Capacity Assessment Study. The focus of this study is on the requirements that a city must meet in order to establish an elderly-friendly community. Buildings and outdoor spaces, 2. Transportation, 3. Housing, 4. Social participation, 5. Respect and Social Inclusion (respect and social inclusion), 6. Civil Participation and Employment, 7. Communication and Information, and 8. Community Support and Health Services are the eight dimensions/guidelines from the World Health Organization. According to Dr. NW Suriastini, M. Phil, the evaluation of these eight dimensions yielded a total score of 55.1% for Payakumbuh City. These findings indicate that the accomplishments of Payakumbuh City have moved into the pretty good (yellow) category.

In response to the Workshop's activities and outcomes, the Payakumbuh City government expressed great happiness and enthusiasm since the study's findings may facilitate the city's future implementation of initiatives and follow-up programs aimed at achieving an Elderly Friendly City. The Payakumbuh City Government has also promised that, with the help and collaboration of all pertinent parties, Payakumbuh City will turn into an Elderly-Friendly City before 2030. The study and workshop on this elderly-friendly city were greatly appreciated by the Payakumbuh local council as well. A number of West Sumatra and Payakumbuh City local media outlets reported on and published this workshop activities.

At the workshop, the research team stated that they were only able to conduct the study on their own and report the findings; they were not able to suggest whether or not the sample towns under investigation could be considered senior-friendly communities. A city's leadership submits a request to WHO indicating that it believes it has fulfilled the requirements of all eight parameters to be considered an elderly-friendly city.  (EDM/JF)