A recent report from Age UK and the International Longevity Centre (ILC) brings together suggestions from various groups about how towns and cities throughout Britain could be redesigned to suit an ageing population.
The ideas raised come from older people themselves, consumer groups, charities, councils and organisations such as the RAC Foundation. Suggestions include introducing swings at bus stops, outdoor gym equipment that would be beneficial for all age groups and the ability to hire electric bicycles or tricycles on the street.
The joint Community Matters report also calls for a redesign of road signs to help older drivers as well as a demand for a huge increase in the number of park benches and public lavatories available to the public.
The importance of making our towns and cities a place of “playfulness and fun” was highlighted in order to ensure people are integrated into society as much as possible in their later years.
Young at Heart
The report suggests: “Bringing play for all ages into communities could be done through desegregation of playground equipment and the further spread of all-age play equipment outside public parks – such as swings at bus stops and outdoor gym facilities.”
Ensuring estate agents have the knowledge to identify houses suitable to meet the needs of older people and also for care homes to give people access to gardens, rather than being stuck inside day in day out, were other suggestions put forward.
The report also calls for a change to the triangular road signs advising drivers of older people crossing with more “positive imagery.”
Ageing Society
Baroness Greengross, chief executive of ILC-UK, said: “We must have a bold and aspirational vision for communities in an ageing society.
“But our aspiration for age-friendly cities must be much greater than providing toilets.”
Director of Age UK, Caroline Abrahams, commented: “The alternative is that, as we age, we’re increasingly stuck at home and cut off from the rest of society – limiting our ability to enjoy later life, to socialise and stay independent for longer.”
Click Community Matters here to download the full report.
We think there are some cracking ideas in this report (as well as a few off the wall ones). How about you? Leave a comment below to share your thoughts.
