Age-friendly and safe living conditions – information and tools for development

Femina participated in a pilot training on age-friendly and safe living environments for older people organised by the Institute for Ageing, which focused on factors outside the living environment and how to improve them. In particular, the training looked at what an age-friendly environment is and why it is important to promote it.

Age Friendliness and safety of the living environment
The training looked at how age-friendly and safe living environments affect the quality of life of older people. Specifically, the following topics were covered:

What is age-friendly and why is it needed?
What is an age-friendly environment and what are the factors that influence the friendliness and safety of the living environment?
What factors contribute to an age-friendly living environment and how can it be improved?
The exercises provided participants with practical tools to analyse and develop their own living environment. The results of the exercises were discussed together and participants shared good examples of how the living environment can be improved.

Roles and participation in development work
The training also looked at the roles of different actors in the development of the living environment. Collaboration and multi-stakeholder participation are key factors in creating an environment where older people can live safely and independently. Particular attention was paid to how residents themselves can participate and influence the development process.

Thanks to the trainers and participants
The training was conducted by Erja Rappe and Jere Rajaniemi from the Age Institute, and thanks to their expert guidance we gained many new ideas and perspectives. The participants shared their experiences and gained insights on how to support and improve the lives of older people.

Thank you to all participants and especially to Erije and Jere.
This training opened up important discussions and allowed us to take concrete steps towards a more elderly-friendly living environment.

If you would like more information about it, please get in touch:
Erja Rappe: erja.rappe@ikainstituutti, tel. 040 533 7099
Jere Rajaniemi: jere.rajaniemi@ikainstituutti, tel. 040 122 1613.