To mark the upcoming International Day for Older Persons, a new study from The University of Manchester is calling for cities to do more to support older people who want to stay in their own homes and communities as they age.
The research published in the European Journal of Ageing looks at the idea of 'ageing in place' - the policy focus on enabling older adults to live well in their own home and neighbourhood of choice for as long as they wish. While this approach is often seen as positive, the study highlights that many urban areas do not provide the necessary supports to make this a reality.
According to the research team, the pressures of rising inequality, cuts to public services, and the privatisation of spaces in cities mean many older people struggle to access the support they need. Poorer neighbourhoods in particular face declining facilities such as libraries, community centres and affordable housing - resources that are crucial for wellbeing in later life.
"Most people want to stay in their homes as they grow older, but this is only possible if the communities around them are supportive," said lead author Dr Tine Buffel. "At the moment, too many older residents are left isolated or feel invisible in their own neighbourhoods. We need new ways of organising community life so people can rely on each other, rather than just on families and/or overstretched services."
The study looked at innovative examples from around the world that could help tackle the problem. These include:
The Village model - neighbourhood organisations run by older people themselves, pooling resources to provide services like transport, home repairs and social activities.
Naturally Occurring Retirement Communities - areas where large numbers of older people already live, supported by tailored health and community services.
Cohousing - intentionally created communities where residents share spaces and provide mutual support.
Compassionate Communities - grassroots networks that help people facing illness, end of life or bereavement.
Each model has benefits, from reducing hospital admissions to strengthening social ties, but also face challenges such as funding pressures and a tendency to leave out more disadvantaged groups.
The researchers argue that the next step is to think about ageing in place as a collaborative venture - something built on collective action, shared resources and planning with the direct involvement of older people themselves. They also call for urban planning to be less ageist, pointing out that too many urban regeneration projects prioritise young professionals over older residents.
The study concludes that ageing in place can only succeed if communities, councils, charities and older residents work together. Without this, many people risk not being able to live independently, or being "stuck in place" in unsuitable housing and unsupported communities.
