Paper short abstract:

Presentation and discussion of findings on a large housing estate in Berlin as an age-friendly neighbourhood. Focussing on the activities of a network, that aims to enable elderly people to live independently in their own homes as long as possible, we will describe (1) problems and potentials of a large housing estate as a place to grow old and (2) the effects of networking in a neighbourhood. The implications will be compared with results from other investigations.

Paper long abstract:

How does the local environment influence the chances for an independent live in old age? How do older people manage their everyday life in disadvantaged areas? How can communities reach and support disadvantaged elderly?

To ease the housing shortage after World War II several council estates were built around the city of Berlin. One of these settlements, at the border of former West Berlin, was erected during the early seventies as a prototype of modern architecture. Many first-generation council tenants are still living here. Therefore the proportion of elderly tenants (65+) is above average, among them an increasing number of elderly migrants. In 2003 a self-governed network was founded by local social institutions, housing societies, services for elderly care, doctors, schools, and trades people. The goal of the network is to help elderly tenants stay in their own flats as long as they wish to and to help them manage their everyday lives in spite of increasing health problems. Based on the World Health Organization's definition of health we investigated (1) the effects of the network's activities and (2) the impact of the urban environment of a large housing estate on independent, healthy ageing.

The talk will present the findings of this research project in comparison with others and discuss their implications on age-friendliness of a neighbourhood.