Transport

Importance of supporting mobility



Supporting all forms of mobility (including walking, affordable public transport and convenient private transport options) is critical to Healthy Active Ageing. Assistive devices, such as wheelchairs, can also help people move within their home and be mobile within the broader community. A network of universally accessible footpaths connecting people to age-friendly communities supports social and civic participation.

(68,96,94,97,121)

Importance of public transport



A variety of transport options (walking, cycling and public transport use) connecting key destinations is seen as critical for the creation of age-friendly cities. Alternative transport options, such as on-demand buses or paratransit, help seniors remain active and connected within the community.

(72,83,93) 

Safety and its impact on independent movement



Perception of safety is a critical factor that determines older people’s decisions about mobility. Adopting crime prevention through environmental design approach, supporting passive surveillance outcomes and ensuring universally accessible routes between destinations improves safety outcomes.

(105,121)

Providing walkable communities



Higher density underpins walkable neighbourhoods which promote physical activity across the life course, supported by the quality of footpaths, perceptions of safety and adequate road crossings.

(105)

Outdoor spaces and buildings

Universally accessible public buildings

Public buildings designed by integrating Universal Design principles can support older people to be more active, enhance their sense of security and provide opportunities to socialise.



Adopting universal design principles at the beginning of a project reduces the cost of having to modify existing structures to make them accessible for older adults and people with disabilities.

(116,119)

Safe environments



Perceptions of public safety in outdoor spaces and public buildings are critical for older people. Safety directly affects their decisions to engage in physical activity. Providing good street lighting, a police presence and crime prevention through environmental design features can minimise crime.

(116,121)

Pleasant and welcoming built environments



The aesthetics of the built environment and the surroundings can influence physical activity: an aesthetically pleasing environment is positively associated with increased mobility. Aesthetically pleasing, clean environments that are free from rubbish, noise pollution and harmful odours are positively associated with greater mobility by older adults. In contrast, environments with signs of decay lead to decreased mobility.

(23,73,74)

The importance of landscape



Presence of trees, gardens and plants are considered aesthetically pleasing and positively impact physical activity. Tree canopy is associated with a positive impact on the mental health of older people.

(24,101)

Facilities within public places



Well-maintained and safe public open spaces with adequate shelter, toilet facilities and accessible seating are associated with increased levels of physical activity in older adults.

(61, 116)

Safe and accessible pedestrian pathways



Pedestrian-friendly walkways, underpasses and overpasses that are accessible and free from obstructions facilitate physical activity in older adults. Pavements should be well-maintained, smooth, level, non-slip and wide enough to accommodate mobility devices, such as wheelchairs, walkers and mobility scooters. High traffic speeds and inadequate separated pedestrian infrastructure can make older pedestrians feel unsafe and therefore limits their walking and physical activity.

(74, 82 ,116)

Housing

Ageing in place



Housing choice, including service-supported housing, with universal design features, supports the capacity to age in place. Age-friendly environments play an important role in helping people ageing at home and living independently.

(12 41 47 54 87 116 119)

Modifications to homes



Most people prefer to age-in-place within their community and not in residential aged care accommodation. However, home adaptations and modifications can be necessary to facilitate ageing-in-place and preserve social connections.

(27)(49)(55)(58)(62)(103)

Housing diversity

Higher residential densities support a greater range of housing sizes, styles, housing tenure and price options, and can include flexible and adaptable housing for all ages and stages of life.

Providing diverse and innovative housing options within the existing community that supports physical and social activity can enable people to remain socially connected.



Future housing should be designed to enable ageing-in-place through whole-of-life design.

(3)(91)(105)

Delivery of affordable housing

Housing affordability and security of tenure are critical for seniors’ wellbeing, along with housing assistance for low-income seniors.

(15)(65)(91)(113)

Destination-rich precincts



Walkable areas, with mixed land uses, well-connected streets and good access to a variety of destinations fosters age-friendly communities and supports increased physical activity in older adults.

(15)(45)

Social participation

Social engagement is essential in encouraging physical activity. For example, seeing other older people exercising and exercising regularly with family and friends. Healthier, happier, more active and engaged older people also have a social and economic benefit for the whole of society.

(22)(85)(119)

Respect and social inclusion

Facilitating social engagement and belonging to combat loneliness and support physical activity for older people involves understanding the social, political, economic and cultural dimensions of ageing. Older people with a lower socio-economic status, along with older indigenous and female migrants, are among the poorest and most vulnerable members of our society. There are also significant differences between urban, suburban, rural, regional and remote communities.

(39)(43)(51)

Cultural diversity and ageing



Different cultural groups have diverse understandings of what it means to grow old, including the relevance and value of physical activity to health and wellbeing. Risks are exacerbated by their limited participation in preventative behaviours, such as sports. Importantly, developing a social network both within the same culture and with those from other cultures has been identified as supporting better health outcomes. 

(14)(18)(19)(29)(34)(38)(57)(84)(92)

Ageing and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians



Research shows that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians face more and unique social, cultural and financial barriers to engagement in physical activity, including lack of available, affordable and sustainable sporting facilities, and limited opportunities for engagement. Physical activity programs need to have a holistic vision of life and health to encourage participation and tap into cultural strengths including connection with land and waters and the importance of family.

(9)(46)(88)

Living with Dementia



Studies have shown a relationship between the development of cognitive impairment and dementia and lifestyle-related risk factors, such as physical inactivity.

(115)

Gender and sexual orientation

Many LGBTQI older people experience increased social isolation; therefore, services should be targeted to this age group. LGBTQ communities can provide support for those experiencing discrimination and recognise the higher rates of depression, isolation, cardiovascular disease and chronic pain.

(40)(81)(89)(98)(109)

A participatory approach



Physical and social environments affect the wellbeing of older people, and good socially inclusive, respectful governance models and comprehensive planning are critical for the development of age-friendly communities. Bottom-up participatory community consultation approach is most effective.

(31)(56)(66)(71)

Creating inclusive activities



Older people from marginal groups (Indigenous and Torres Strait Islanders, CaLD, LGBTQI and those living with dementia) face more and unique social, cultural and financial barriers to engagement in physical activity, including feeling unsafe or unwelcome in neighbourhoods. It is also important to offer low- or no-cost classes and involve older adults in program development to increase participation.

(14)(18)(29)(38)(46)

Civic participation and employment

The importance of including older people



Empowering older people via a 'top-down' policy action will enable and motivate activity, with 'bottom-up' engagement supporting activn older people.

(3)(108)

Actively engaging older people in the planning process



Older people should be actively engaged to improve the environment in which they live and to shape the conditions that favour the ageing process and improve their wellbeing.

(25)(35)(117)

Employment options for older people



An ageing population will have significant impacts on labour supply and economic output, and the delivery of appropriate, affordable and accessible infrastructure and services.

(85)

Communication and information

Digital literacy skills



Digital literacy is fundamental to a person's agency and ability to make informed decisions about health and their environment, while helping maintain social connections for wellbeing.

(48)(106)

eHealth literacy



Digital literacy, in particular, eHealth literacy, is critical for the health and wellbeing of older people.

(75)(110)(69)

Digital social networks



Digital technology plays an increasingly important role in social connection and support, which supports physical activity.

(112)

Regional and rural digital connections



Digital communication technologies support social connection across large distances and also support guided physical activity online.

(10)

Transnational social networks



Distant and migrant support networks play an essential role in the lives of older people, in particular those from CaLD backgrounds.

(11)

Community support and health services

Cross-sectoral engagement is required to deliver age-friendly built environments since no sector alone can foster the functional ability of older people. By using an ageing lens in planning, age-friendly communities can be created not just for the elderly but for the whole of the community.

(59) (120)

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