Care homes and communities: a human rights approach to age-friendliness

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 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 is a home, or it becomes a prison. Age friendliness applies to both spheres; they are interrelated. Age friendliness is a complex concept. Different disciplines will approach it from a difference perspective. Interdisciplinary working is needed, but so is the need to explore the gaps or white space that fall outside disciplines. In defining age friendliness, what are the guiding principles? We find these principles in human rights, which are pervasive across disciplines and not owned by any one of them. In adopting a human rights approach, we must see them 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.