“Social isolation is the public health risk of our time. The secret to living longer may be your social life.”

–  Susan Pinker, psychologist

Introduction

Worldwide, our communities are aging. It’s estimated that by 2050, 1 in 5 people globally will be over the age of 60. In Canada alone, 35% of the population will be 55 or over by 2036 (Peterborough Council on Aging, 2017), making investment in healthcare resources and age-friendly infrastructure more urgent than ever.  

A key concern with an aging population is the issue of social isolation. According to Statistics Canada, as many as 12% of seniors deal with isolation on a regular basis due to reduced mobility, lack of accessibility, etc. (Gilmour & Ramage-Morin, 2020). The COVID-19 pandemic has further compounded this issue, forcing many into prolonged isolation to avoid infection. These circumstances have profound implications for the health and wellbeing of this demographic.

One way to address this growing concern is to design communities that are more accessible to seniors and older adults – a concept known as “age-friendly communities”. The Government of Canada defines an age-friendly community as one in which “the policies, services and structures related to the physical and social environment are designed to help seniors ‘age actively’” (Government of Canada, 2016). 

While they may be targeted to improve the lives of seniors, age-friendly communities can benefit citizens of all ages and improve public health outcomes across the board. In this blog post, we’ll discuss:

• Designing age-friendly communities
• Public health benefits
• Spotlight: Age-Friendly Peterborough

Designing age-friendly communities

What makes a community age-friendly?

Age-friendly communities allow people of all ages to participate equally in society by promoting healthy aging. The World Health Organization (WHO) defines healthy aging as “the process of developing and maintaining the functional ability that enables well-being in older age” (World Health Organization, n.d.). This involves the creation of policies, products, and services that enable seniors to participate in everyday life while maintaining their autonomy.

The WHO recognizes eight aspects of community life that affect seniors:

1. Outdoor spaces and public buildings: ample green space, accessible infrastructure (e.g., ramps, paths, elevators)
2. Transportation: affordable public transit, high-quality transportation infrastructure (e.g., sidewalks, signage) 
3. Housing: affordable housing, close proximity to essential services, adaptable interiors to support various mobility needs
4. Social participation: access to leisure, social, and cultural events (e.g., clubs, support groups)
5. Respect and social inclusion: positive societal attitude towards aging, intergenerational connections and communication
6. Civic participation and employment: options for seniors to participate in various civic activities including volunteering, voting, etc.
7. Communication and information: easy access to information, use of technology as a communication tool, targeted outreach initiatives to reach diverse populations
8. Community support and health services: accessible physical and mental health resources, programming that supports physical and mental wellbeing (Government of Ontario, 2019).

Public health benefits

The public health benefits of age-friendly communities cannot be understated. Research shows that seniors who are isolated from their communities are more likely to experience high blood pressure, depression, cognitive decline, premature morbidity, and an overall lower quality of life (Johnson et al., 2017). Creating spaces designed to foster social connections can thus improve both physical and mental health outcomes among this age group.

Age-friendly communities also allow seniors to exercise greater autonomy. Accessible infrastructure that caters to a wide variety of abilities helps seniors live independently, allowing them to stay active, longer. This improves health outcomes while also helping seniors live happy, more fulfilling lives. 

In addition to seniors and older adults, other vulnerable populations can equally benefit from age-friendly communities. For instance, people with disabilities can access a wider range of community services when accessible infrastructure like ramps, elevators, etc. are present. Other inclusive infrastructure like paved walking paths, well-integrated transit networks, and well-lit sidewalks make communities safer for everyone, regardless of age or ability. These services allow everyone to enjoy the community, helping foster social connections and community integration.

Spotlight: Age-Friendly Peterborough

Age-friendly infrastructure and community services have been successfully implemented in several Canadian cities. In 2017, the city of Peterborough, Ontario formally established Age-Friendly Peterborough to support the city’s aging population. The organization aims to shape a “thriving region that is inclusive, respectful, and accessible to people of all ages and abilities.” (City of Peterborough, n.d.).

Age-Friendly Peterborough identifies four goals to make communities more accessible:

• Relationship building: seniors and older adults have opportunities to build and maintain relationships through participation in community activities 
• Staying mobile: seniors and older adults are able to move easily about the community and have access to high-quality public transportation
• Meeting basic needs: seniors and older adults are able to meet their basic needs, such as access to food and housing
• Learning and growing: seniors and older adults have opportunities to learn new skills and participate actively in their community (Peterborough Council on Aging, 2017)

Since its inception, the organization has made significant progress toward these goals. It has partnered with numerous local organizations including the YMCA, Community Care, Peterborough Transit, and the Alzheimer’s Society to help seniors access support services in the community (Age-Friendly Peterborough, 2020). It has also developed various projects to foster relationship building and social connection, such as the Neighbour-for-Neighbour program and the Age-Friendly Business Strategy. 

In early 2021, Age-Friendly Peterborough launched the “Social Isolation to Social Connection” project in response to COVID-19. The project aims to decrease social isolation and foster a sense of connection among seniors who have become increasingly isolated since the onset of the pandemic (Age-Friendly Peterborough, 2021). While efforts are still ongoing, the organization expects this project to help the city of Peterborough recover from the pandemic’s hardships. 

Conclusion

Social isolation does not have to be a normal part of aging. As evidence shows, designing age-friendly communities can help foster intergenerational connections and improve life for everyone. Today’s blog has covered:

• The key components of age-friendly communities
• The public health benefits of age-friendly communities among seniors and other vulnerable populations
• The success of Age-Friendly Peterbourough and accessible communities in action

Written by: Clair Borgaonkar, BPAPM (c)