3029 Healthy ageing in place: perspectives on ‘local’ and age-friendliness in the built environment

Abstract

Introduction Age friendly communities aim to create inclusive social and physical environments that facilitate older people to age actively, enjoy good health and continue participating fully in society. The built environment can profoundly influence older adults’ health and wellbeing. This study aimed to explore mid-to-older adults’ perceptions of the age-friendliness of their communities and how they defined localness. Methods Semi-structured interviews were conducted remotely and in-person between September 2023 and March 2024 with community-dwelling mid-to-older aged adults (n = 22; 65.0 ± 5.5 years) from two communities with high levels of deprivation in Scotland, Renfrewshire and South Lanarkshire. Taking a systems-based approach, identified barriers and supports to the age-friendliness of communities were charted against the World Health Organisation Age-Friendly Cities and the Place Standard frameworks, and perceptions of localness were explored. Results Physical influences on age-friendliness included the accessibility of transport modalities, the maintenance of public spaces and paths, the suitability of homes, and seasonal influences and environmental hazards. Social influences included access to places that facilitate social interactions such as churches or community centres, community cohesion, and employment and volunteering-related factors. Service influences included digital inclusion, ageist sentiments, and healthcare accessibility. Localness was defined by i) accessible and preferred modes of transport, with local areas shrinking as mobility declines; ii) the distance people needed to travel to access essential services like supermarkets and pharmacies; and iii) where they knew people, socialised with others, or visited family. Conclusions The gradual deterioration of communities has contributed to a decline in the age-friendliness of mid-to-older aged adults’ local areas. The impact of declining mobility, individual- and area-level deprivation, and closure of essential facilities and social spaces on place attachment must be considered by policy makers to support older adults to age well in place.