UQ research points the way to age-friendly communities

Research conducted over the past three years at The University of Queensland shows that seniors are valuable allies in designing the infrastructure of the future to ensure that our ageing population occupies age-friendly cities.

As part of the research, residents of two south-east Queensland cities rated the age-friendliness of their locality according to eight requirements identified by the World Health Organisation (WHO).

Research Officer from the Australasian Centre on Ageing Dr Jo-Anne Everingham said that the WHO regarded developing age-friendly communities not only as a way of investing in seniors’ health and well-being but also of delivering substantial benefits to the whole community and long-term savings to public coffers.

“Australian research participants described an age-friendly community as one that allowed them to share skills and knowledge and to maintain their quality of life, social connections, physical and mental activities, safe surroundings, access to health care, and independence and control,” Dr Everingham said.

“Older residents of Ipswich and the Gold Coast rated the community support and the health services available fairly positively. However, they felt that outdoor spaces and public buildings needed some improvement and transport services needed significant improvement to suit many seniors.

“Times have changed, demographics have changed and the needs of older people have changed as well. In a decade, more than a third of voters will be aged 65 and over. Local Councils and the State Government must keep up with these changes and make our communities more liveable for all ages."

The research was conducted by UQ’s Australasian Centre on Ageing and the UQ Boilerhouse Community Engagement Centre. It explored opportunities for a range of stakeholders to work together to make their communities places where people can age well.

The researchers acknowledge the funding contributions of the Australian Research Council, Ipswich and Gold Coast City Councils and the Queensland Government Department of Communities, to the Collaborative Approach to Ageing Model Linkage Project. The research findings do not necessarily represent the views of any of these industry partners.

Media: For more information contact Dr Jo-Anne Everingham, Australasian Centre on Ageing 3346 9371.