Ever wondered what people get up to in their retirement years? This slideshow, Neighbourhood Design and the Activities of Older Home Owners gives a good idea – visiting family and friends and medical appointments top the list.
The presentation discusses the barriers and facilitators of neighbourhood design that older people encounter in their day to day life. Footpaths, or lack thereof, featured as a key issue. It also covers the other main components of being able to get out and about – public transport, street furniture, wayfinding, public toilets, handrails on stairs, safety and security.
The presentation has lots of explanatory graphs and is based on research by Bruce Judd, Diana Olsberg, Joanne Quinn and Oya Demirbilek from UNSW.
Further research counters notions that older people are “hogging all the large houses”. It implies all older people are living in wasted and unused space. This leads to the notion that they should move out to a smaller home. However, if it is too small, it can also restrict everyday activities. The title of the report is Dwelling Land and Neighborhood Use by Older Home Owners.
See also the AHURI report Downsizing amongst older Australians