Back in 2011, the Ministry of Health
for British Columbia looked at what the literature said about healthy ageing.
Here is some of what was in this report which was called Planning for
Healthy Ageing A Literature Review, written by Eleanor Kallio, Senior Policy
Analyst, Research, Knowledge Translation and Library Services Branch, Planning
and Innovation Division, Ministry of Health, Victoria, British Columbia,
published in 2011
Housing
The majority of older adults
live in their own homes and would prefer to stay there as long as possible.
Both the home physical environment and surrounding environment play roles in
healthy ageing. Safe, appropriate housing has features that support optimum
independence, even if changes in function or ability occur. In the surrounding
environment, neighbourhoods that are perceived as safe and offer walking routes
to local services and parks encourage residents to rely less on their cars.
Many older adults are realizing the benefits of living close to essential
services and are leaving suburban and rural areas for the city.
The sooner older adults assess
their living environment, the easier it will be to make changes or adaptations
to support healthy ageing. If they remain until their home is no longer suitable
and must move, their housing options will narrow, and they may be less able to
adapt. Studies show the longer older adults remain at home, the less likely it
is that they’ll move, because of financial, emotional and logistical barriers,
even if the home becomes unsuitable.
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