Combatting Loneliness with Thoughtful Design
Loneliness and mental health have become some of the most pressing public health issues of our time. Studies show that 1 in 10 individuals over 65 experience chronic loneliness, a figure that increases as people age, often in homes and communities that fail to meet their needs.
Loneliness and mental health have become some of the most pressing public health issues of our time. Studies show that 1 in 10 individuals over 65 experience chronic loneliness, a figure that increases as people age, often in homes and communities that fail to meet their needs.
Although loneliness can affect anyone, it is particularly acute among older adults living alone, cut off from family or community ties. For planners, developers and policymakers, this represents both a challenge and an opportunity: to focus on loneliness and community design, creating environments that keep people connected, active and supported as they age.
Influence on the Build Environment on Wellbeing
The planning and design of spaces significantly shape how people engage with their community. In later living developments, this involves more than just accessibility and safety, it’s about creating areas that foster interaction and day-to-day connections.
Integrated retirement communities (IRCs) and extra-care housing models showcase how design can address isolation. With shared lounges, gardens, cafes, activity rooms and on-site wellbeing facilities, these developments promote social interaction as part of everyday life.
Location is equally crucial: being close to local shops, parks, transport and healthcare ensures that residents stay connected to the broader community, not isolated from it.
The Health and Social Impact
The advantages of tackling loneliness extend well beyond emotional health. Research indicates that social isolation can heighten the risk of heart disease, stroke, dementia and depression, with health effects comparable to smoking 15 cigarettes daily. This highlights the importance of designing communities for social interaction and community spaces and mental health.
The financial burden on public services is considerable: increased GP appointments, higher hospital admissions and greater reliance on social care. Conversely, well-designed later living communities alleviate pressure on health services and improve quality of life, an investment in both individuals and prevention.
Designing for Connectivity and Choice
Effective design for later living recognises that community is not a single place, but a network of engagement communities. This encompasses:
- Communal spaces that are inviting and inclusive, not institutional.
- Adaptive spaces that can accommodate various uses and group sizes.
- Secure outdoor areas that promote walking, gardening and recreation.
- Integration with local communities through shared amenities, volunteering and collaborations.
When social interaction is seamlessly integrated into the design of a development, residents are encouraged to form relationships naturally – supporting independence, belonging and dignity.
Planning’s Role in Enhancing Social Wellbeing
Planning policy and guidance is beginning to recognise the connection between place and wellbeing, but more can be done to ensure loneliness and community design are considered crucial factors in housing design and location.
Designating land for later living in accessible, well-connected areas; promoting mixed tenure models; and incorporating wellbeing goals into local plan objectives can all have a significant impact. Community engagement in urban planning and community engagement strategies is vital in this respect.
At Boyer, our planning and design teams collaborate closely with developers and operators to create communities that enhance both social and physical wellbeing. From extra-care apartments to integrated retirement villages, our goal is to craft places that enable places to live well, not just longer.
Creating Communities, Not Just Residences
As the UK’s population grows, the question is no longer whether we need more later living housing, but how we can ensure it supports connectivity in addition to care. Design strategies for connected communities are designing cities for human connection are essential.
By designing and planning for community, we can address loneliness at its core and create environments where older adults feel appreciated, supported and engaged.
At Boyer, we believe that the best later living developments offer more than just homes, they also build communities.