Accessible nature to promote active and healthy aging

Aim

The project aimed to understand factors that enable and hinder outdoor participation for older adults. With better knowledge, we wanted to increase accessibility so that more people can participate in outdoor stays, physical activities and recreation in natural areas.

Societal benefits

Together with societal stakeholders, the project identified factors that contribute to accessible natural environments and active ageing to strengthen health and quality of life. Active ageing was also expected to have an impact on reducing the need for health and social care to the extent that it would otherwise. This benefit linked directly to a major challenge in Swedish municipalities - to meet the demographic challenge through more proactive public health work for the health of older people. The project was also about contributing to an inclusive society, where municipal planning is an important tool for participation and for protecting access to natural areas.

Collaboration

Östersund municipality's participation was based on ongoing long-term work to promote active ageing through health promotion initiatives, as well as involvement in the WHO network Ageing-Friendly Cities and Communities. The work to create a more age-friendly municipality includes a high degree of participation with members of interest organisations and non-profit actors. Härnösand municipality's involvement was based on its growth strategy, which includes promoting active ageing and creating a richer social and physical life. In addition to collaboration with pensioners' associations and outdoor and sports clubs, the research team invited additional private and non-profit actors early in the project based on co-creative design.