Age-friendly standards can help solve the challenges posed by ageing societies. One example is ISO 13482, Robots and robotic devices – Safety requirements for personal care robots, which specifies requirements and guidelines for the inherently safe design and use of personal care robots. Created to help people with tasks around the home, these next-generation robots have enormous potential to improve the quality of life of the elderly and disabled, helping them to live more independently.
Remaining an active member of society as one grows older requires a safe and enabling environment. ISO 37101, Sustainable development in communities – Management system for sustainable development – Requirements with guidance for use, is designed to help communities make supportive choices for the social inclusion and active participation of all its citizens.
Another useful reference for community leaders is the International Workshop Agreement IWA 18, Framework for integrated community-based lifelong health and care services in aged societies. It addresses health, care and social challenges to ensure the needs of individuals continue to be met in old age.
In addition, many of ISO’s standards help to ensure that all products and services are accessible, safe and of the highest quality. For example, one of our best-known standards, ISO 9001, Quality management systems – Requirements, can also be used by service providers such as care homes to give older persons and their families peace of mind.
But ISO also goes a step further by taking the needs and challenges of older adults into account in the creation of many of its standards, thanks to the useful ISO/IEC Guide 71, Guide for addressing accessibility in standards.
Over the course of a week, ISO will promote the International Day of Older Persons by highlighting the role of standards in improving quality of life for the older population and facilitating their active contribution to society. There will be opportunities for you to get involved so stay tuned!
For further information about ISO and active ageing, see our microsite and follow our social media campaign #activeageing.