Housing

A range of affordable, flexible, well-designed and safe housing, that has a variety of options with excellent connectivity to social services and the broader community, supports increased levels of independence, enhanced walkability and Healthy Active Ageing.

Ageing in place

Housing and the capacity to age in place is a key factor influencing people’s experience of ageing [116]. There is growing evidence that communities that offer housing choice with universal design features in dense neighbourhoods provide better ageing environments [12]. Additionally, such communities need less age-segregated, service-supported housing, such as nursing homes and assisted-living facilities [41].

Alongside the Active Ageing framework, ageing in place highlights how age-friendly environments play an important role in supporting people ageing at home [119]. Ageing in place refers to supporting older people to live independently and remain in their own home for as long as possible, rather than in residential care [47] [54] [87]. Governments around the world are increasingly recognising the potential represented by ageing in place as a policy lever that contributes to sustainability in the context of anticipated increased costs of aged care [1]. Policies to support ageing in place can provide better wellness and financial outcomes for older people who prefer to stay in their homes. Supporting people to age in place with access to the services they require provides dignity and choice for older people and empowers them to make decisions about how they live out their end years.

Age-friendly environments play an important role in supporting people ageing at home [119]. They include a shift away from providing elder care in state-supported residential institutions, towards efforts to maintain larger numbers of older people in their own homes and communities, with only the very frail being relocated into nursing homes and residential care. The success of this trend is evident in the fact that, by 2010, only 4% of people in OECD countries aged 65 years and over were receiving institutional care, while 8% were receiving care at home [86]. A range of new policies, technologies and services have been developed to support this shift towards what is perceived as more cost-effective independent living for older people in their own homes.

Modifications to homes

Research reveals that most people prefer to age-in-place within their community and not in residential aged-care accommodation [49] [62]. However, as people age, their longstanding home may become unsuitable for their needs and, in some cases, home adaptations and modifications are necessary to facilitate ageing-in-place [27] [55] [58]. Home modifications can have multiple benefits and can help people stay socially connected within their community and neighbourhood and remain physically active and safe, from falls for example [103]. Where possible, policy should be adopted to require a universally accessible design approach to be integrated into the initial build, rather than having extensive and expensive modifications to buildings at a later stage.

Housing diversity

Providing housing options is important to Healthy Active Ageing. Ageing in the ‘right’ place might mean the ability to live in the place with the closest fit with a person’s needs and preferences, which may or may not be one’s own home [111]. Where older people need to relocate to more suitable accommodation, having diverse and innovative housing options within their existing community can enable people to remain socially connected [91]. Creating communities of integration (physical and social), rather than segregation, is generally desirable and supports Healthy Active Ageing [3]. However, in some instances, culturally specific housing for people as they age is required, and this should be provided to enable people to be better supported.

Housing developments which cater for all ages and take into account people's changing needs as they age, such as multi-age precincts and intergenerational cohousing, are seen as proactive solutions to ageing-in-place and in the community [3] [67] [79]. Research suggests that future housing developments should be proactively designed to enable ageing-in-place through whole-of-life design that takes into account accessibility and visibility features [91]. Policy should ensure the construction of dwellings to support age-friendly features, universal design and ageing in place, rather than require costly retrofitting at a later stage.

The density of urban developments is a matter of significance. Higher density underpins walkable neighbourhoods which promote physical activity across the life course. Additionally, higher 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 [105]. Planners can ensure greater housing diversity by adopting suitable policy and advocating for diversity within compact precincts.

Delivery of affordable housing

Housing affordability and security of tenure are critical for seniors’ wellbeing [15] [65] [113]. Likewise, housing assistance for low-income seniors in the community has a significant impact on their ageing outcomes [91]. Where older people feel secure in their homes, they are more likely to engage with the community supporting Healthy Active Ageing outcomes. Town planning and urban design professionals should identify the ability to ensure a supply of affordable housing at all levels of the planning and development framework, at an early point during strategic planning through to development review.

Destination-rich precincts

Spatial planning that counters sprawl and single-use urban form and delivers walkable areas, with mixed land uses, well-connected streets and good access to potential destinations, fosters age-friendly communities and supports increased physical activity [45]. Research indicates land use mix which provides shops and services within walking distance of housing can positively influence walkability in older adults and that the greater the variety of destinations, the higher the likelihood of older adults walking [17]. Built form professionals should ensure destinations that are specific to the needs of older people are included in a mixed-use precinct.



For more information about how planning can support the best possible Healthy Active Ageing housing outcomes, see the HAbD Housing Diversity design feature.