Towards an Age-Friendly University: Insights from Culturally Diverse Community-Dwelling Older Adults

Towards an Age-Friendly University: Insights from Culturally Diverse Community-Dwelling Older Adults

Towards an Age-Friendly University:

The project, titled “Towards an Age-Friendly University: Insights from Culturally Diverse Community-Dwelling Older Adults,” is a collaborative initiative aimed at enhancing the inclusivity and accessibility of the University of British Columbia’s (UBC) Vancouver campus for older adults.
By engaging twenty-five older adults from diverse backgrounds— including Indigenous groups, people of colour, LGBTQIA2S+, and individuals with varying physical and mental capacities— the project aims to identify barriers to accessibility and develop strategies to overcome them. The initiative is structured around a series of guided audit walks and discussions, where participants assess the campus’s age-friendliness and provide feedback on its current principles and infrastructure.

Who is involved

The project involves a community-university collaboration including: student volunteers, patient-engagement partners, faculty members, and twenty-five community-dwelling older adults from diverse backgrounds in Metro Vancouver. The participants represent a wide range of identities, including Indigenous groups, people of colour, LGBTQIA2S+, and individuals with different physical and mental capacities. By bringing together these voices, the project ensures that the strategies developed are inclusive and reflective of the needs of the broader community.

Why We Focus on Walking

Walking is a fundamental activity that allows older adults to engage directly with their environment, making it an ideal method for assessing the age-friendliness of a university campus. Through guided audit walks across key areas of the UBC Vancouver campus, participants can provide real-time feedback on the physical and social barriers they encounter. This approach not only offers valuable insights into the day-to-day challenges faced by older adults but also empowers them to contribute to the development of more accessible and welcoming spaces.

Timeline: The project spans from January to December.

What we heard?




  • A positive interest among older adults in continued learning, research collaboration, and mentorship opportunities.

  • Significant barriers were identified in navigating the campus. course registration, affordability, and limited information.

  • Concerns about safety issues, the need for more accessible features, and improved transportation infrastructure.

  • Importance of cultural inclusivity, such as multilingual resources and different art representations.

  • Appreciation of greenery, artwork, improved accessibility and opportunities to get involved.

Recommendations

  • Ensure Safety and Maintain Infrastructure – Well-maintained sidewalks, traffic lights at crosswalks, separate bike lanes, accessibility features and ramps for wheelchairs and walkers.

  • Facilitate Access to Courses – A simple process to navigate courses, affordable, more advanced and diverse courses, and flexible course formats that do not require traditional exams.

  • Accessibility – Expand accessibility shuttle services, integrate wheelchair lending services, and ensure accessibility services are well-publicized.

  • Foster Intergenerational Relationships – Develop mentorship and collaborative intergenerational programs, create a social lounge for connections among intergenerational learners.

  • Increase Cultural and Ethnic Representation – Display art from various cultures, including diverse viewpoints and materials in curricula and campus activities

    • Our Team

    Joey Wong, Mario Gregorio, Albin Soni, Jason Fu, Paulina Santaella, and Ilan Meghelli supported by Dr. Lillian Hung.

    Acknowledgements

    This project is made possible through the support of the University of British Columbia and the dedication of the community-dwelling older adults who generously shared their time and insights. Special thanks to the UBC Equity and Inclusion Office for their collaboration, as well as to the student volunteers whose contributions were invaluable to the success of this initiative. All of these contributions have been instrumental in shaping a more inclusive and age-friendly university environment.