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“Benches become like porches”: Built and social environment influences on older adults’ experiences of mobility and well-being

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  • Ottoni, Callista A.
  • Sims-Gould, Joanie
  • Winters, Meghan
  • Heijnen, Myrthe
  • McKay, Heather A.

Abstract

Neighbourhood environments significantly influence health and well-being, especially as people age. Our study uniquely highlights how one microscale feature (benches) influence older adults experiences of mobility and well-being, from their perspective. We also explore how these experiences affect and are affected by the social environment of the neighbourhoods where older adults live. We conducted one-on-one seated and walk-along interviews with individuals aged 60+ that live in three adjacent neighbourhoods in Vancouver, Canada. We collected data at two time points (n = 28, 2012; n = 22, 2014). We found that benches positively contributed to older adults’ mobility experiences by: (i) enhancing their use and enjoyment of green and blue spaces, (ii) serving as a mobility aid, and (iii) contributing to social cohesion and social capital. To address the increased needs of an aging demographic, urban planners might consider the quality and presence of microfeatures as part of an immediate and inexpensive strategy to create supportive neighbourhoods for people of all ages and abilities.

Suggested Citation

  • Ottoni, Callista A. & Sims-Gould, Joanie & Winters, Meghan & Heijnen, Myrthe & McKay, Heather A., 2016. "“Benches become like porches”: Built and social environment influences on older adults’ experiences of mobility and well-being," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 169(C), pages 33-41.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:socmed:v:169:y:2016:i:c:p:33-41
    DOI: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2016.08.044
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    3. Akinci, Zeynep S. & Marquet, Oriol & Delclòs-Alió, Xavier & Miralles-Guasch, Carme, 2022. "Urban vitality and seniors’ outdoor rest time in Barcelona," Journal of Transport Geography, Elsevier, vol. 98(C).
    4. Valkiria Amaya & Matthias Chardon & Helen Klein & Thibauld Moulaert & Nicolas Vuillerme, 2022. "What Do We Know about the Use of the Walk-along Method to Identify the Perceived Neighborhood Environment Correlates of Walking Activity in Healthy Older Adults: Methodological Considerations Related ," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(18), pages 1-37, September.
    5. Ulrike Bechtold & Natalie Stauder & Martin Fieder, 2021. "Let’s Walk It: Mobility and the Perceived Quality of Life in Older Adults," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(21), pages 1-14, November.
    6. Tiina E. Laatikainen & Mohammad Haybatollahi & Marketta Kyttä, 2018. "Environmental, Individual and Personal Goal Influences on Older Adults’ Walking in the Helsinki Metropolitan Area," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(1), pages 1-19, December.
    7. I-Ming Feng & Jun-Hong Chen & Bo-Wei Zhu & Lei Xiong, 2018. "Assessment of and Improvement Strategies for the Housing of Healthy Elderly: Improving Quality of Life," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(3), pages 1-32, March.
    8. Alexandra Klann & Linh Vu & Mollie Ewing & Mark Fenton & Rachele Pojednic, 2019. "Translating Urban Walkability Initiatives for Older Adults in Rural and Under-Resourced Communities," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(17), pages 1-16, August.
    9. Tracey Ma & Jinhee Kim & Myron Anthony Godinho & Evelyne de Leeuw & Kathleen Clapham & Conrad Kobel & Rebecca Ivers, 2022. "A Systematic Review with Framework Synthesis of the Ways That Urban Environments Influence Opportunities for Healthy and Sustainable Mobility in Older Age," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(20), pages 1-37, October.
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