Age-friendly Cities: The Partnership between Urban Planning and Senior Living Communities
May 29, 2023
It is no surprise that the connection between senior living communities and urban planning is becoming increasingly more important. The two fields have a symbiotic relationship, as senior living communities rely on the urban planning of age-friendly cities to provide a comfortable and secure living environment for older adults. This blog post will explore the partnership between these two forces and explain why age-friendly cities are so important to senior living communities.
To begin, it is essential to understand what exactly is meant by an “age-friendly city”. Age-friendly cities are cities that have been designed and developed with the unique needs of older adults in mind. These cities must have several age-friendly features, such as:
- Safe and accessible transportation
- Public spaces that are comfortable and inviting for older adults
- Housing that meets their needs
By having age-friendly features, these cities are able to create an environment that allows older adults to stay independent, active, and engaged in their communities.
Senior living communities benefit greatly from age-friendly cities. An age-friendly city provides senior living communities with a safe and secure living environment, which is essential for providing the best care for their residents. Age-friendly cities also provide access to necessary services that senior living communities need to run smoothly, such as access to health care facilities and transportation options. Additionally, age-friendly cities often provide access to social activities and entertainment options that can be appealing to older adults, which helps senior living communities to create a fulfilling living experience for their residents.
The partnership between age-friendly cities and senior living communities is mutually beneficial; however, there are challenges that both sides face. Cities must invest time and resources into creating age-friendly features and services, and senior living communities must invest in providing the best care for their residents. Additionally, senior living communities must stay up to date with changes in the urban landscape, such as new regulations or changes in cultural norms. It is essential that both sides continue to collaborate and communicate in order to ensure that age-friendly cities are created and maintained.
As the population of older adults continues to grow, it is essential that age-friendly cities and senior living communities work together to provide the best possible living experience for their residents. Age-friendly cities provide senior living communities with a safe and secure living environment and access to necessary services, while senior living communities provide cities with the resources needed to create age-friendly features. This partnership is essential for creating an environment that is safe and secure for older adults and allows them to stay independent, active, and engaged in their communities.