Contemporary cities are not built for the elderly. A new study shows that many cannot walk fast enough to cross the crosswalk.
For many people, crossing a road at a pedestrian crossing with traffic lights is a routine task, which requires little thought or effort.
But for the growing population of elderly people with limited mobility, strength or balance, crossing the street can be a stressful experience and sometimes a matter of life and death.
For what reason?
Cities simply are not drawn for older people and other citizens with reduced mobility, according to a new study, conducted by Max Westernprofessor at the University of Bath, and Afroditi Stathi, professor at the University of Birmingham, in the United Kingdom, published this week in Age and Ageing.
As the two researchers explain in an article in , only 1.5% of elderly people with reduced mobility included in our study — only 17 out of 1,110 participants, with an average age of 77 years — were able to cross faster than the speed of 1.2 meters per second which is programmed into many treadmills in the UK.
Participants described how “hurried”, “pressured” and “insecure” felt when moving around the city. They all lived independently in seven English cities: Bristol, Bath, Birmingham, Cardiff, Exeter, Manchester and Stoke.
The study authors say they were struck by how slowly many of the people walked. The simple task of timing the time it took to travel 4 meters could be quite uncomfortable — such was the difficulty that some felt when walking.
To understand what this meant when faced with the need to cross the road on a zebra crossing, Western and Stathi made a simple comparison between the speed (1.2 m/s) programmed on “standard” zebra crossings in the United Kingdom and the participants’ usual walking speed.
Although the average speed was significantly lower, standing at 0.77 m/s, many of the participants with reduced mobility were even slower — which means that had no chance of crossing safely within the allowed time.
In truth, most would have to walk at almost twice their speed comfortable to be able to cross a road without significant risk. This mismatch between urban design and capabilities of a growing aging population can have catastrophic consequences.
Firstly, there is the risk that the not considering limited mobility in elements of public space, such as crosswalks, decrease confidence of older people to stay active and walk outside, which often leads to a greater loss of physical function and an increase in social isolation.
Secondly, those who continue to travel on foot in your town or city may feel pressured, which increases the risk of falling when they cross roads faster than they are comfortable with — a risk that is heightened in rainy or windy conditions.
A decline in the elderly increases the likelihood of disability and the need for hospital care, and can have a significant impact on life expectancy.
How to make cities age-friendly
The treadmills are just one of many elements of towns and cities that can influence the physical activity of an elderly population with limited mobility.
By reviewing the factors that determine physical activity in older adults, the study authors found that aesthetic quality of the environmentreducing noise and air pollution, and availability of places to rest These are aspects that can increase the mobility of the elderly.
In Birmingham, the has partnered with older people, local communities and businesses to explore how the city, the UK’s second largest, can better support your aging population and get closer to becoming, in fact, an age-friendly city.
Sam Western and Afroditi Stathi’s study highlights the absolutely crucial role of accessible infrastructure: Well-maintained sidewalks, ramps, benches and public bathrooms make a big difference. As important as this are safe and welcoming spacessuch as parks, gardens and community centers, which promote social connection and an active lifestyle.
Much of the effort to improve quality of life in older ages has focused on improve, or at least slow down the declinephysical function and mobility.
The benefits go beyond individual well-being: translate into savings significant implications for public health systems and the area of social care, especially through reduction in hospital admissions.
But for these gains to last, older people need more than exercise programs. They need safe and inviting communitieswhich motivates them to get out and move around. Walking to local destinations is one of the simplest ways to increase daily activity — but this depends on the environments you choose. provide security and are accessible.
