Independence by design: how age-friendly environments are reshaping aged care

The spaces we live in shape how we move, connect and maintain independence. Yet aged care environments often lag behind the needs of an ageing population. As mobility declines and cognitive changes emerge, design choices can make the difference between autonomy and dependence.

For decades, the sector’s focus has been on clinical care and services, often overlooking how the built environment shapes everyday life. But from small modifications to large-scale architectural change, aged care leaders are rethinking how physical spaces influence the experience of ageing.

The environment as an enabler

Dr Habib Chaudhury, Chair and Professor in the Department of Gerontology at Simon Fraser University, emphasises the profound connection between physical space and daily life.

“We’re always interacting with the physical environment, consciously or subconsciously, from the moment we wake up in the morning till we go to bed. As we get older things become more difficult. It’s more noticeable when we talk about the impact on activities of daily living (ADLs),” he explained.

Chaudhury highlights the ecological theory of ageing, which suggests that an individual’s level of functioning is determined by the ‘fit’ between their abilities and the demands of their environment. Arthritis, low lighting or poorly designed stairs can all shift that balance.

“By changing the environment I can change my behaviour. In other words, I’m enabling myself to achieve something that I could not do in a disabling environment,” he added.

Ageing in place and community design

With a growing emphasis on ageing in place, the quality of homes and community infrastructure plays a decisive role in how long people can live independently.

Over time, care environments have evolved. The move from institutional models toward home-like settings has created more personalised spaces that prioritise comfort. In Australia, minimum housing standards are also making new homes more accessible for older people and those living with disability.

Chaudhury has worked with North American providers to develop dementia-friendly settings. He advises against design features such as long, monotonous corridors, noisy spaces, dim lighting and poor colour contrast, which can disorient residents. Instead, cost-effective renovations such as better wayfinding signage, brighter lighting and small, engaging communal areas can significantly improve quality of life.

Beyond facilities, Chaudhury points to the importance of age-friendly urban design: longer pedestrian crossing times, accessible kerbs and sidewalks, reliable transport, and clear, high-contrast signage.

“It’s about the urban landscape but in particular the pedestrian landscape. Some of this is linked to aged care providers but there’s a bigger piece with the planning of cities, neighbourhoods and how a city decides on the zoning of their parcels of land,” he said.

Moving beyond compliance

The Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety recommended the small household model, which creates home-like environments that offer greater autonomy and closer relationships with caregivers.

Dementia villages, such as Village Landais in France and Hogeweyk in the Netherlands, replicate real-world settings like shops and cafés. In Australia, Korongee in Tasmania, Emmaus in New South Wales and NewDirection Care in Queensland have all adopted the approach.

“This is a setting that offers an expanded lifestyle experience for somebody who would otherwise be living in a nursing home. If you look at any typical nursing home, people can go out but unfortunately that doesn’t always happen. They’re basically stuck indoors. Dementia villages allow people to come and go, to experience more of a normalised life,” Chaudhury said.

Another emerging model is the green care farm, which integrates agricultural activities with aged care. Research shows exposure to natural environments provides positive sensory stimulation, particularly for people with dementia. Australia has begun to explore this through respite programs, while Canada is trialling similar approaches.

Intergenerational connection

Green care farms often embrace intergenerational living, bringing older people together with children and young people. Many Australian providers have already introduced intergenerational programs or co-located early learning centres.

“Engagement with meaning and purpose is the formula to boost well-being and potentially functional ability,” Chaudhury said.

“Social interaction is important and we need to have more of that through intergenerational opportunities as well beyond the traditional segregated aged care community that we have been doing for a long time.”

Designing for the future

From small renovations to dementia villages and urban design, the built environment is increasingly seen as an active enabler of independence rather than a passive backdrop.

As society moves away from outdated institutional models, Chaudhury argues that providers and planners have an opportunity to create spaces that support autonomy, dignity and social connection throughout the ageing process.

Originally published in Hello Leaders winter print edition. Read the full article here or contact us on [email protected] to order your print copy.