HOW DO OLDER ADULTS EXPERIENCE WINTER?
"Ageing in the Arctic" is a project launched by Fabric+.
We engaged 300 older adults and key stakeholders to explore this question.
DOWNLOAD INSIGHTS REPORT
Complete versions of the report is available in PDF format.
Ageing is one of humanity’s most remarkable achievements.
As populations age, understanding the lived experiences of older adults is crucial to fostering communities where everyone can thrive.
Together, we can shape outdoor spaces that are safe, accessible, and welcoming for all—because because ageing well is a collective responsibility.
Our study uncovers the unique challenges older adults face, from harsh climates to limited access to essential services, and explores solutions that empower residents of all ages.
In Ageing in the Arctic, we explore solutions through the insights from older adults, combining tools and expertise from design, healthcare, urban planning, architecture, and economics.
We looked into these questions:
What is life like for older adults during the winter?
How do weather and road conditions affect their independence and quality of life throughout the year?
How accessible are public spaces during winter, given these conditions?
What challenges do older adults face when trying to stay socially active year-round?
We also considered:
How can we prevent falls by keeping local areas ice-free and safe?
How can better infrastructure improve safety and accessibility in winter?
OUR FINDINGS
Our 2022-2023 study concluded with key insights across these five (5) themes: The Impact of Winter on Older Adults, Falls and Fall Prevention, Age-Friendly Cities in Winter, Transport and Mobility, and Services.
THE IMPACT OF WINTER ON OLDER ADULTS
Winter conditions introduce factors that can significantly worsen the physical and mental health of older adults. These conditions limit participation in both physical and social activities, often leading to feelings of loneliness and isolation. While most older adults are considered at risk, older men who have lost their partners are particularly vulnerable.
FALLS AND FALL PREVENTION
Falls contribute not only to a decline in physical health but also to a deterioration in psychological and mental well-being due to the isolation that often follows the fear of falling. Unfortunately, falls that occur outdoors are still under-recognized and, consequently, insufficiently addressed.
AGE-FRIENDLY CITIES IN WINTER
Cities are typically designed according to universal design standards that are effective under normal conditions. However, in regions with extreme weather for much of the year, such as heavy snowfall, ensuring year-round accessibility requires additional considerations, including adequate winter maintenance and other specific measures.
TRANSPORT AND MOBILITY
Transport habits and preferences vary, especially among older adults. While public transportation offers significant advantages, the use of private vehicles, including taxis, becomes more preferred as age advances and functional abilities decline. Therefore, both public and private transportation options must be supported in an aging society.
SERVICES
There is a need for innovative approaches to services that cater to older adults, with careful consideration given to implementation capacity, including roles, budgeting, and other critical factors.
Well-placed benches become buried under snow, safe surfaces turn treacherous and slippery, and universally designed urban spaces can become completely inaccessible.
Unfortunately, universal design guidelines primarily focus on bare-ground conditions and fail to account for the impacts of climate.
How can we move around safely when the roads are cleared, but the sidewalks remain impassable?
“Lonely older adults commonly live by themselves, have little social contact, and have often experienced the loss of close relationships…”
Community and Mastery - Live Safely at Home (Eldrereform 2023)
Unpredictable weather and road conditions increase the risk of social isolation.
Social isolation, whether caused by bad weather or limited transportation options, can have serious effects on both physical and mental health. Feeling disconnected from the community can lead to reduced happiness, lower self-esteem, and a higher risk of depression, anxiety, cardiovascular disease, and dementia (with the risk of dementia increasing by over 50%). Isolation also makes it more difficult to stay physically active, which can result in weakened muscles, poor balance, and a greater risk of falls. Both isolation and loneliness are linked to increased mortality.
“It’s like there’s been an epidemic of dementia in my building this winter. I haven’t seen people. There’s been too much bad weather.”
Resident, Bodø City Center
Do you know of
someone who often
avoids going out
during winter?
Cities become inaccessible during winter due to heavy precipitation. Unfortunately, our current planning guidelines primarily focus on bare-ground conditions and lack sensitivity to climate considerations.
Winter weather renders the universal design of outdoor spaces ineffective.
Winter cities are known for their unique and beautiful, yet challenging, winter climates. However, the combination of wind, darkness, precipitation, and cold temperatures presents significant challenges, often resulting in limited mobility.
Harsh winter conditions can cause structures to lose much of their intended form and function, particularly when it comes to universal design. Unfortunately, weather and climate are rarely considered in assessments of universal design.
For spaces to truly serve everyone, they must maintain a high standard of accessibility, even in harsh winter conditions.
“It’s slippery to walk indoors, and many establishments want you to take them [spikes] off – but they don’t have anywhere for you to sit down.”
Respondent
Image from Folkebladet
Despite the need and preference, restrictions on spiked shoes keep many indoors during winter.
Ice spikes, spiked shoes, poles, and similar equipment are important and effective tools for preventing falls on ice. Their usage is widespread, with 54% of respondents in our survey reporting the use of ice spikes during the winter, while 45% mentioned wearing spiked shoes.
However, many people hesitate to go out with adequate gear or protection. Our respondents identified several reasons for this reluctance. One common issue is that they are often prohibited from entering buildings with ice spikes or spiked shoes because they can break indoor surfaces. Additionally, some surfaces, such as tiles, become hazardous to walk on when wearing such equipment.
This map highlights the streetlight illumination across Bodø.
Residents living outside the city center frequently report that streetlights are often out of order and take a long time to be repaired. "How many procedures does it really take to change a lightbulb?" asked a resident.
Next to winter surfaces, areas with poor illumination are the most avoided areas during winter.
The demand for increased illumination during the long winter nights and its impact on the perception of safety and overall well-being are crucial factors in the development of a year-round, age-friendly community. Adequate lighting is essential not only for visibility but also for creating environments where people feel safe and secure, particularly during the harsh winter months.
Good illumination improves vision by helping individuals distinguish winter surfaces, which in turn informs them about the appropriate gait and speed for navigating the area. Conversely, poor lighting contributes to a sense of insecurity when venturing outdoors in the cold and dark season, making it more challenging for residents, especially the elderly, to move about safely.
“I had to get old before I truly became afraid of the dark. Now, my fear is not being able to see where I’m stepping.”
Participant, Senior Walk
Falls are more common during the winter, with hip fractures costing society approximately 5 billion kroner per year.
In the first year, a single hip fracture in a 70-year-old at home costs around 562,000 NOK (approximately €50,000). These costs remain significant in the second, third, and fourth years, though they are harder to quantify.
These figures do not account for the additional costs related to family involvement (e.g., days taken off work) or privately sourced services. As a result, the true cost is likely to be significantly underestimated.
Falls account for 85.6% of injuries in individuals over the age of 80.
Outdoor falls are more closely related to environmental conditions, particularly the presence of snow and ice, than to individual capacity or behavior.
74% of pedestrian falls and accidents are due to snow and ice.
Most falls among those aged 67 and older occur in or around their homes and in urban environments.
Older adults over 70 are particularly vulnerable to falls and fractures, which result in a high mortality rate among those affected.
The risk of falling is significantly higher on snow or ice compared to bare surfaces, with injury rates twice as high in winter compared to summer.
ACCESSIBLE ARCTIC
How do we prevent falls and strengthen accessibility during winter? Accessible Arctic is a project aimed at developing safe winter routes by enhancing universal design in the Arctic winter cities of Bodø and Tromsø.
Do you consider your neighborhood to be safe and accessible during winter?
Given the climatic conditions in Arctic cities, shopping centers offer a climate-neutral, safe arena for older individuals during the winter months, making them an essential part of the conversation on age-friendly spaces.
Shopping centers are a popular gathering place for the elderly.
A surprising result from the Insights Phase is how often Bodø’s elderly population visits shopping centers. Over 35% of the senior population visits shopping centers “several times a week,” which is a notably high percentage. However, the paradox lies in the fact that only around 10% of respondents consider shopping centers to be highly enjoyable places. This suggests that many elderly individuals—especially those living in the city center—frequent these spaces not because they find them pleasant, but because they are safe and convenient.
Shopping centers are locations where people can meet acquaintances and accomplish important errands, such as shopping, exercising, dining, or addressing health-related needs. Despite their utility, there is an opportunity to better understand and develop shopping centers as valuable and enjoyable spaces for the elderly.
A model for supporting seniors with fitness and community
Feelgood
Gym
Feelgood Gym is frequently highlighted as an important space for the elderly, offering both social engagement and opportunities for physical activity. The gym provides customized workout equipment designed for individuals with limited mobility and plays adjustable music to accommodate those who find loud noise bothersome.
There is a strong focus on fostering social connections among members, with the owner personally knowing most of them. If someone hasn’t been attending as regularly as usual, they are often followed up to ensure their well-being.
What can
I do?
Do you have creative ideas for making
outdoor winter spaces more age-friendly?
We’re eager to hear your thoughts—whether big or small!
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Images are courtesy of Fabric+, Age Without Limits, or Unsplash. Diagrams were derived from the Ageing in the Arctic (2023) report by Fabric+.