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Urban environments are an essential determinant of health and quality of life for older adults. Architecture cannot force people to participate in society, or create community cohesion; it does, however, have the potential to lay the foundation of social infrastructure necessary to encourage and support social relations. This in turn has the potential to influence behavior in a positive way. The purpose of this study was to learn from a highly successful naturally occurring retirement community (NORC) the different design characteristics of the built environment that make this such a desirable place to live. This study employed a hermeneutic phenomenological methodology to explore, describe and interpret the lived experiences of 12 independent, interdependent and dependent residents living in the Cherryhill NORC in London, Ontario, Canada. Participants identified the criteria that attracted them to this NORC initially and encouraged them to remain within the community. Participants also identified a number of elements within their apartment buildings, the transitional threshold areas, and external spaces that would further enhance their experience of living within this NORC. Issues included airflow, temperature control, exposure, balcony design, pet ownership, accessibility, community transportation, amenities and more. Many design and planning guidelines for age-friendly communities describe elements that improve safety, mobility and access. This study revealed that ‘social opportunity’ spaces play a key role in the life of older individuals and provides further evidence of how seniors within this NORC leverage social capital to provide an invaluable support network for each other. |
