Mobility, Mood and Place

Mobility, Mood and Place Going outdoors is essential for maintaining health and wellbeing into later life, but many older people find it becomes less easy, enjoyable and meaningful as they age. Meanwhile, our society is growing older; across Europe, the number of people aged 60+ is expected to increase by around two million, annually, for the foreseeable future. To help ensure that living longer is a positive experience for everyone, we need evidence-based solutions to known challenges. The Mobility, Mood and Place (MMP) research project has been exploring how places can be designed collaboratively to support mobility, health, wellbeing and participation as people age. Drawing on the participation of over 900 people, of which the majority were aged 60+, our findings have implications for the way we design for people of all ages, backgrounds and abilities.

Qualities of Place Four qualities of places really matter. Access for all Access to nature Access to others Access to light

Everyday things Multiple everyday things - such as street lighting, pavement quality and benches - can make all the difference as we get older. The mundane matters and the commonplace counts. Get the basics right for mobility and vitality for all. “My confidence totally went. Once you fall, you’ve no idea what it’s like trying to go outside.” (Margaret, MMP research participant who became housebound for four weeks after tripping on an uneven pavement and injuring her leg)

Different environments Older people walking between different types of urban environments show changes in their emotional response to place based on brain activity patterns. Green spaces seem to be restorative aiding vitality. “There a lifting of the spirit when you see that sort of combinations of colours, it’s almost like a Monet painting as far as I’m concerned.” (Janet, MMP research participant)

Varied walks Even a short walk can have a potentially beneficial effect on mood and brain activity if the environment is sufficiently varied. Things like colour and wildlife, opportunities for social contact, and familiar places, especially those linked to key memories, can lift the mood. “I often think back at what we used to do when we were kids. Aye, there’s a lot of happy memories here.” (Alistair, MMP research participant)

Environmental features Features of the environment - such as the availability of public parks - can have lifelong positive associations with successful ageing, and in particular with better cognitive health in later life. “Just the fact that you’re out and the birds are sitting beside you and just taking it all in, it’s lovely.” (Gloria, MMP research participant)

Well-designed environments Well-designed environments have a role to play in supporting older adults who have experienced a stroke to engage in, and return to, the activities they value. “Everybody speak to you and it’s like - how can I describe it - it’s like a wee village.You see people on the street.” (Anne, MMP research participant)

Co-design principles Co-design, or participatory design, is about the meaningful involvement of end users in the design process. By taking account of a wider range of perspectives and experiences, we can design more inclusive - more innovative - solutions, products and services that are better suited to users’ needs and that promote vitality. “I found it a very enlivening experience. It’s made me think even more about the built environment.” (Sylvia, MMP research participant)

Next steps: one Local Authorities Educate local authorities on the benefits of designing good environments Educate local authorities on the benefits of co- designing with older members of communities

Next steps: two Local Communities Educate older members of local communities on co-design principles Facilitate co-design opportunities for older people and local authorities

Next steps: three Central Government Lobby politicians to embed age-friendly design into planning legislation Lobby politicians to support local authorities to implement age-friendly design into planning decisions

Mobility, Mood and Place Funders The project has been funded by the cross-council programme, Lifelong Health and Wellbeing (LLHW), under the theme Design for Wellbeing: Ageing and Mobility in the Built Environment. This theme is led by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) in collaboration with the Arts & Humanities Research Council (AHRC) and the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC).

Mobility, Mood and Place For more information please visit our website http://www.mobilitymoodplace.ac.uk/

Mobility, Mood and Place