ABSTRACT
Older people’s relationship with space is important – in particular, for those living in care homes (residential care). Their experience of their private space in the care home setting may dictate whether and how they experience public space. Similarly, their ability to enjoy public space dictates their private space experience; a care home should be a home, or it becomes a prison. Age-friendliness applies to both public and private spaces; they are interrelated. Age-friendliness is a complex concept. Different disciplines approach it from differing perspectives. Interdisciplinary collaboration is needed, but so is an exploration of the gap or white space that falls outside disciplines. In defining age-friendliness, what are the guiding principles? This study finds these principles in human rights, which are pervasive across disciplines and not owned by any one of them. In adopting a human rights approach, these rights must be viewed through the lens of older people. The language they use to express their rights should prevail over the legalistic formulations of international and national human rights documents.
