Introduction

Part One of this book sought to revisit our thinking and knowledge on the person–environment fit. This primarily examined the contribution of Lawton's Ecological Model of Ageing and Rowles’ concepts of insideness. Part Two aimed to fill gaps in knowledge related to understanding the experiences of older people living in urban neighbourhoods – in particular deprived inner-city areas – and challenge current thinking about the relationship between the older person and their environment. Part Three aims to refocus the person–environment fit by presenting the next steps and the way forward. The focus of this chapter will be on research and policy responses that are critically needed if Western countries are going to respond appropriately, in both economic and social justice terms, to support the needs and aspirations of an ageing population. The chapter primarily draws on the policy context and agenda in England.

Background

The research findings presented in Chapters Four through Six suggest that society needs to look more closely at ways to avoid putting older people under environmental distress and better support them to manage their environment and/or ensure they enjoy a certain level of comfort. Although the majority of participants in the study desired to age in place, there were a significant minority, almost one in five, who were found to be acutely distressed by their environment. As the findings revealed, this had negative implications on their quality of life and their ability to maximise their ageing well. In economic terms, this is likely to have a profound effect on health and social care spending, in addition to challenging policy agendas around social inclusion, building sustainable and cohesive neighbourhoods, and ageing in place. The chapter now examines the current policy context and this is followed by a look ahead to more appropriate ways in which society can and must prepare to support the needs and aspirations of an ageing population.

Policy context

Starting in the last quarter of the 20th century, there has been a growing policy interest in ensuring environmental sustainability. Political initiatives aimed at building sustainable urban neighbourhoods have grown in prominence in recent years (for example, the renewed European Union Sustainable Development Strategy [2006]; the 2007 Sustainable Communities Act in the UK). Interest in the quality of the urban environment could be argued to be in part driven by a wider interest in the environment.