The Later Living Market is Perhaps the Most in Need of a Healthy Design Strategy

The UK has a rapidly ageing population. The number of people aged 65 or over was 9.2 million in 2011 and in 2021 this increased to over 11 million. Globally, it’s predicted that by 2030, 1 in 6 people in the world will be aged 60 years or over.  The steady increase in people over 65 is showing no sign of stopping in the foreseeable future. It is therefore important that developers and designers respond by paying close attention to the quality of housing for the older generation.

A recent study found that the environments in which we inhabit have a greater impact on our immune system (the bodies primary defence against disease) than our genetics. At Ekkist we know all too well what a huge impact the buildings in which we inhabit have on our health and this has the potential to be exacerbated with a more vulnerable portion of the population such as the elderly.

Image shows the courtyard at the John Morden Centre in Blackheath that won the RIBA Stirling Prize 2023.

Why is it important to consider health and well-being for the older population?

At a biological level, ageing is the result of “the accumulation of a wide variety of molecular and cellular damage over time”. This accumulation over time creates an increase in the risk of disease and also the gradual reduction in mental and physical capacity.

As a result of the ageing process the elderly are at a much higher risk of a number of health conditions such as hearing loss, back and neck pain, diabetes and dementia . It’s also common for the elderly to suffer from a number of debilitating conditions at once. In the UK it is estimated that 1.3 million people over 65 suffer from malnutrition, and of residents admitted to care homes and screened, 35% were at risk of malnutrition. The elderly are also at a much greater risk of loneliness and social isolation. An Age UK study found that over a million older people go over a month without speaking to a friend, neighbour or family member. Loneliness has been proven to lead to depression and a serious decline in physical health and well-being.

Overall, the older population are a much more vulnerable portion of the population and therefore need to be accommodated for accordingly.

What kind of an impact can healthy design have?

A recent study found that the environments in which we inhabit have a greater impact on our immune system (the bodies primary defence against disease) than our genetics. At Ekkist we know all too well what a huge impact the buildings in which we inhabit have on our health and this has the potential to be exacerbated with a more vulnerable portion of the population such as the elderly. Creating a healthy environment which promotes and reduces barriers to healthy lifestyle is vital for the elderly to lead healthy and more fulfilling lives.

For example, creating later living environments that promote movement can help to combat aspects of mental illness such as depression, dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.  It is also vital that these spaces tackle social isolation by promoting social mealtimes which have been associated with greater energy and protein intake and higher measures in quality of life than non-communal mealtime settings.

What does this look like in practice?

The John Morden Centre is a day care centre for the elderly in Blackheath, London which recently won the RIBA Stirling Prize 2023. The site has been designed to positively impact the occupants physical and mental health.

The space has employed the key principles of biophilic design with the use of natural materials such as timber. The sites focal point is the communal garden where there are many places to rest and enjoy the natural views. The design encourages social interaction with a range of natural and warm recreational spaces that encourage social connection such as an art room, nail and hair salon and café. The centre has been designed to sensitively cater for a range of abilities and disabilities. There are concealed wooden handrails, built in seating along walkways and high contrast patterns on the edges of floors providing dementia-friendly wayfinding, helping residents navigate between spaces.

These are just some of many design tweaks and strategies that can be implemented in later living projects to purposefully contribute to the health and well-being of the residents. There are a number of ways that Ekkist can advise on such projects to elevate the scheme and ensure that it has been truly considered within the context of supporting occupant health. Get in touch at ask@ekkist.co to find out more about which services would be most appropriate for your bespoke scheme.