Why older people value quiet spaces with people nearby

Anne Grave investigated what older adults need in their living environment. Her findings provide designers of public spaces with valuable insights to help create environments that better meet the needs of older residents.

Older adults enjoy spending time in peaceful, green spaces, but not in complete isolation. For her PhD research, Anne Grave investigated which characteristics are most important for the ideal living environment for people aged 70 and older. Her findings show that relaxation occurs where tranquility, nature, safety, and the presence of other people come together. By gathering input directly from older adults, she provides designers of public spaces with valuable insights into the needs of older residents.

A virtual Walk

As part of her research, Grave conducted forty in-depth interviews with older adults about their wishes and ideas for creating relaxing places in public spaces. Together, they explored locations close to home and discussed how these environments contributed to their well-being. Using an iPad, Grave took virtual walks through participants' neighborhoods. "They would show me their favorite places online, the spots they liked to visit to relax."

Previous research has shown that older adults often return to the same places repeatedly. Contrary to what one might expect, they prefer locations with something to see and experience. "You can compare it to a room with a blank white wall," Grave explains. "There is nothing to see. When older adults go outside, they want something to observe. That, in itself, is relaxing."

According to Grave, the value of public spaces lies not in their size but in their design. Amenities such as benches should be placed thoughtfully. "Choose a location where there is something to see, where people pass by, or where things are happening. That makes people want to sit down for a while. Not just any corner of the street because there happened to be room for a bench."

Preferred Places

Based on the interviews, Grave developed an online survey completed by 301 older adults from across the Netherlands. Participants were shown images of various public environments, such as streets, squares, and areas with both high- and low-rise buildings. They were asked to indicate which locations they preferred. The results showed that outside their immediate residential surroundings, older adults particularly value greenery, openness, and outdoor cafés as places to relax.

Reducing Stress

"Spending a lot of time at home can be stressful for older adults because household tasks are always waiting to be done. It can also confront them with memories that affect their mental well-being. Going outside helps reduce stress and restore attention."

Through both the interviews and the survey responses, Grave discovered that social interaction is also important for relaxation, although not in the way she initially expected. "They are not necessarily looking for conversation or active interaction, but for a sense of safety. Even when they are alone in a quiet environment, they like knowing that other people are nearby and could help if something happens."

Social contact is also important for helping older adults stay connected to society. According to Grave, many have limited interaction with life beyond their own social circles. Spending time in public spaces helps maintain that connection. "They enjoy visiting a café terrace or a public space simply to observe. The goal is not always to start a conversation with others."

A changing demographic

Through collaborations with healthcare organization Oktober and housing corporation Wooninc., Grave was able to test existing theories in real-world settings and conduct in-depth interviews. "A lot of research in this field takes place in laboratory settings. By visiting older adults in their homes, you learn much more about how their environment influences their feelings and experiences."

She also found that many theoretical models still in use today are based on an older-adult type that no longer reflects reality, making these models outdated. "Older adults now live independently for much longer than in the past, which means their needs have changed."

Informing and Inspiring

With her research, Grave hopes to inform and inspire those responsible for designing public spaces. She believes this responsibility should not rest solely with urban planners. In an ideal scenario, they would work closely with experts in gerontology and environmental psychology. According to Grave, collaboration between these three disciplines creates the right mix of expertise to design better living environments for older adults.

Lunchtime Science Talk

Together with Masi Mohammadi, Anne Grave will give a lunch lecture on October 14 at 12:45 p.m. about the theme of her PhD research. The lecture is part of Curiosity Bites, an event organized during TU/e's seventieth-anniversary week. More information can be found on the event page.

• News Overview

• RSS