Healthy ageing: Personal reflections and recommendations for senior-friendly environment in Ghana

Once a vibrant and independent man, Grandpa gradually began to show signs of frailty and dependency as he aged. As his caregiver, I became intimately aware of the physical, emotional, and psychological struggles faced by the elderly, including the isolation and loneliness that often accompany aging.

Caring for him was a transformative experience that deepened my understanding of the challenges faced by elderly persons.

Caring for the aged holds immense cultural significance in Ghana. It reflects deeply rooted values of respect, empathy, intergenerational harmony, and a customary show of filial piety. Traditional Ghanaian society emphasizes the collective responsibility of the family in providing support and care for the elderly. As the adage goes:

Obi hwe wo ma wo se fifi a, wo nso wohwe no ma ne de tutu. This means those who take care of you while you develop your teeth, should take care of you when they lose theirs. This notion fosters a sense of appreciation and humanity.

Care for the elderly faces significant challenges in Ghana due, in part, to rapid urbanization, migration, cultural shifts, and evolving family structure. In the past decade, there has been a steady rise in the old-age dependency ratio which places a strain on younger generations who may find it challenging to meet the complex needs of their elderly relatives while juggling other responsibilities.

My experience with Grandpa inspired me to explore the field of elderly care more extensively, to understand the intricacies of the aging process, and to identify best practices in the provision of high-quality care for the elderly.

Additionally, I was curious to understand what constitutes a senior-friendly built environment that promotes the health and well-being of older adults. My investigation reveals several challenges that elderly persons face today. Also, it points out key factors that inhibit healthy aging in Ghana.

Firstly, it was observed that older people are at increased risk for loneliness, social isolation, and sedentary behaviour which put them at high risk for cognitive decline, high blood pressure, Alzheimer's disease, and acute physiological deterioration.

Also, they are likely to be financially insecure due to limited options for continued income. Besides, most family caregivers experience burnout and compassion fatigue because of physical, mental, and emotional exhaustion.

In most cases, family caregivers have inadequate knowledge and skills to deliver proper care to older adults who may have special care needs. These problems are exacerbated by the lack of a conducive environment that supports healthy ageing.

Little consideration is given to the needs of the elderly in how we conceive and develop our cities and neighbourhoods. Altogether, these challenges are multifaceted with significant economic, social, and spatial implications.

As a student architect with a particular interest in the nexus between spaces and wellness, the outcomes of this inquiry inspired me to explore various design strategies that can be applied to promote a senior-friendly living environment. Indeed, the importance of the built environment for healthy aging cannot be overemphasized.

Evidence shows that an environment that encourages social interaction, accommodates nature, promotes active modes of transport (i.e., walking and cycling), and fosters a sense of place has a strong positive impact on the physical and mental well-being of elderly persons. These spatial qualities promote active living and mitigate the health and psychological problems associated with aging.

Informed by these findings, I developed a prototype for a senior-friendly community. The proposed community accommodates a sensory garden that stimulates our senses of taste, smell, sight, touch, and sound. The garden provides a calming and therapeutic environment where elderly persons can have sober reflections, relax, meditate, and interrelate.

In addition, the community is designed to achieve a high degree of connectivity and optimize conditions for walking. Walkways are well-shaded and interspersed with rest areas to minimize walking-induced fatigue in older adults.

Furthermore, the community is designed to be barrier-free to ensure persons with mobility impairments are not disadvantaged. Other facilities provided include a physiotherapy center, a geriatric assessment and rehabilitation unit, and a vertical aeroponic garden which is ideal for elderly persons.

A unique feature we introduced to create an opportunity for continued income for the elderly is a Golden Age Resource Hub. This hub is a place where elderly persons can leverage their knowledge, experiences, and skills to earn extra money.

This may include novel writing, career mentoring, provision of culinary training, handcrafting, and counseling among others. In addition to the financial benefits, these activities may help elderly persons to recognize their worth and improve their self-esteem.

I will conclude by saying that this prototype can serve as a baseline from which our existing communities and new developments can be re-envisioned to foster healthy aging. As the Chinese adage goes: An elderly person at home is like a living golden treasure. Hence, due consideration should be given to the needs of the elderly in our socio-economic policies and spatial development plans.

This project was supervised by Dr Martin Larbi and Arc Isaac Annor under the auspices of the Head of the Department of Architecture (KNUST) Prof. Rexford Assasie Oppong.