Healthy ageing in place: perspectives on age-friendliness in ‘local’ communities

Age-friendly communities are designed to support older adults in staying healthy, active, and engaged in society as they age. While the built environment plays an important role in their wellbeing, little is known about what shapes older adults’ views of community age-friendliness. This study explored how mid-to-older aged adults perceive community age-friendliness, and how these perceptions influence ageing in place. Semi-structured interviews (in-person/online) were conducted with 21 community-dwelling adults (55–75 years; mean age 65.0 ± 5.5) from two Scottish local authorities with high deprivation (September 2023 – March 2024). Guided by maps of their local area, barriers and facilitators to community age-friendliness were charted to the WHO Age-Friendly Cities, Place Standard and Ageing in Place frameworks, and perceptions of localness were explored. Participants varied in physical activity, frailty, and loneliness levels, and experienced declining community age-friendliness. Physical barriers included neglected facilities, poorly accessible homes and spaces, and environmental hazards. Social barriers included declining access to social spaces due to rising costs, reduced hours and service closures. Service-related barriers included digital exclusion, ageism, safety concerns and reduced healthcare access. Perceptions of localness were shaped by (i) accessible and preferred transport options, with local areas shrinking as health declines; (ii) distance to essential services; and (iii) places where participants had social ties. The perceived deterioration of local places underpins a decline of community age-friendliness. To support older adults to age well, policymakers must consider the effects of declining mobility, access to- and closure -of essential facilities for older adults.