Ageing in place and the built environment. Implications for the quality of life and the risks of isolation of frail older people

In this paper we address the relationships between ageing in place and the built environment. More specifically we review and assess how the built environment affects the quality of life and the risks of isolation of frail older people ageing at home. The paper is articulated in 4 parts. In the first we highlight our conceptual background. In the second we review the evolution of the debate on the built environment in relation to disability and older age, stressing the shift from a negative approach (removing ‘architectural barriers’) to a more holistic and ‘pro-positive’ one (‘universal access). In the third section we perfect our analytical framework and explore in detail how the built environment – at its three main spatial scales: the home, the building and the urban context – can condition the life of older people. In the fourth we operationalise the analysis of the three spatial scales in relation to specific activities of daily living and the degree of physical and cognitive limitation of frail older people. We conclude highlighting some policy issues and suggestions.