What works to support wellbeing in later life? October 2016
Rachael Docking, Senior evidence manager
2Our recent work and emerging priorities
Who are we?
The Centre for Ageing Better is an independent charitable foundation working to help everybody enjoy a good later life
We are a What Works Centre, part of the What Works network, an initiative which aims to improve the way government and other organisations create, share and use high quality evidence for decision making
We aim to help everyone prepare better and ensure fewer people miss out on a good later life
3Our recent work and emerging priorities
Our vision
Vision A society where everybody enjoys a good later life
Mission We will develop, share and apply evidence to help people age better
We will bring fresh thinking to the challenges and opportunities that everyone faces as more people live longer
We will bring about change to improve later lives
Principles Start with the personDriven by evidenceFocused on changeIndependent and confidentOpen and collaborative
What did we do?
4An analysis of the views and experiences of people aged 50 and over
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What do people say is important to a good later life?
• These are interrelated –and impact on the extent to which people feel happy, in control, and that their lives have meaning.
• Expectations are modest – people don’t expect ‘perfect’ health, it just needs to be good enough.
• Personal outlook matters – it is possible to be in good health, financially secure and have good social connections and still be dissatisfied and vice versa.
Health Financial security
Social connections
An analysis of the views and experiences of people aged 50 and over
6An analysis of the views and experiences of people aged 50 and over
But….there is wide variation in how people experience later life – we identified six distinct segments of the 50+ population to illustrate this.
7An analysis of the views and experiences of people aged 50 and over
Introducing the segments
We want people to say:
I feel prepared for later life
I feel confident managing major life changes
I have made plans for my later life
I have the skills I need for later life
I am active and connected
I am in fulfilling work and/or am making a contribution to my community
I have regular social contact with other people and some close relationships
I keep physically and mentally healthy and active
I feel in control
I live in a suitable home and a neighbourhood
I have care, support and services that help me live my life
What we know about housing and wellbeing
People over 85 spend on average 80% of their time at home Only 3.6% of older adults (64+) now living in a nursing home
What we know about housing and wellbeing
The impact of poor quality housing on health is similar to that of smoking or alcohol, costing the NHS £600 million per year
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What we know about housing and wellbeing
Thriv
ing boomers
Downbeat b
oomers
Squee
zed m
iddle ag
ed
Can-do an
d connect
ed
Worried an
d disconne..
.
Strugg
ling a
nd alone
Overall
0
10
20
30
40
50
Problems in accommo-dation
Short of space in house
Per c
enta
ge
Only 5% of properties in the UK have the basic characteristics to allow independent living for older people
What we know about housing and wellbeing
Reasons for not wanting to move include: People feeling they still manage fine Affordability Supply
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What we know about housing and wellbeing
1.8 million disabled people have an accessible housing need
All populations benefit from inclusively designed homes
This is a significant marketing opportunity for developers
1. Make current housing more suitable for people of all ages
2. New housing developments accessible for people across the
lifecourse
Things to consider: Housing examples
The Lifetime Homes Standard is a series of 16 design criteria
intended to make homes more easily adaptable for lifetime use at
minimal cost
Developed in early 1990s by group of housing experts following
concerns on how inaccessible / inconvenient homes were
Now taken forward through Gov Building Regulations: national
standard for accessible, adaptable dwellings
Things to consider: Housing examples
1. Parking (width/widening capability)
2. Approach to dwelling from parking
(distance, gradients and widths)
3. Approach to all entrances
4. Entrances
5. Communal stairs and lifts
6. Internal doorways and hallways
7. Circulation space
8. Entrance level living space
9. Potential for entrance level bed space
10. Entrance level WC and shower
drainage
11. WC and bathroom walls
12. Stairs and potential through-floor
lift in dwellings
13. Potential for fitting of hoists and
bedroom / bathroom relationship
14. Bathrooms
15. Glazing and window handle
16. Location of service controls
Things to consider: Housing examples
Designing Wellbeing in Environments for
Later Life
Co-produced with older adults
Many households keen to downsize if
attractive options in the right locations
Demand for better quality and more
adaptable homes, where people can
continue to live and socialise in mixed-
age communities
What we know about housing and wellbeing
Suitable homes cannot exist without suitable
neighbourhoods
Homes that people live in and wider neighbourhoods
impact on wellbeing
Neighbourhood could refer to:The built environment (accessibility, functionality, attractiveness, parks)Community feeling (social interaction, community activities, volunteering, support, having a voice)
18Kerr et al., 2012. The Role of the Built Environment in Healthy Aging: Community Design, Physical Activity, and Health among Older Adults.
The built environment is related to health through physical activity but also falls, pollution, social interaction, safety and economic and climate issues.
Things to consider: Neighbourhoods examples
Findings from our deliberative workshops
Information and local support
Stronger communities Better transport and infrastructure
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WHO Checklist of Essential Features of Age-Friendly Cities*
Based on the principles of ‘continuing participation in social, economic, cultural, spiritual and civic affairs’, essential features of age-friendly cities are in the domains of:
*can also been applied to rural settings
• Appropriate housing (housing-type mix and location)
• Community infrastructure design• Accessible and inclusive• Aesthetically pleasing and safe (in terms of
traffic and crime)• Easy and pleasant to access• A strong social/civic fabric (via services,
facilities and ‘community hubs’)• A strong sense of local identity and place• Democratic – where citizens have the right to
participate in decision making regarding the production of space and access to resource (“rights to the city”)
Trevor’s story
Summary of what we know
Homes and their physical environment are incredibly important to health and wellbeing
Current housing stock is not fit for purpose
Alternative options that are affordable, adaptable, suitable and in the right physical environment are not readily available
Trevor’s story
What can you do?
Who is your population and what will they need?
What are your sites doing to consider health, wellbeing and ageing?HousingPhysical environment
What might the key priorities be, on ageing and housing, for your sites?
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Contact
Centre for Ageing Better33 Greycoat StreetLondon SW1P 2QF
020 3829 0113ageing-better.org.uk
Registered Company Number: 8838490 & Charity Registration Number: 1160741
Thank you
Rachael [email protected]
@Rachael_docking
Centre for Ageing Better Level 3, Angel Building, 4AD, 407 St John St, London EC1V