Ageing in place, local high streets, and well-being

Abstract

As people age, many prefer to stay in their familiar homes and neighbourhoods to maintain well-being, using local services and facilities–an approach known as ‘ageing in place’. Despite the perceived decline of local high streets in the UK, they remain central locations offering essential services that can support this approach. This paper examines three case study high streets in Edinburgh, Scotland, exploring how these locales can influence ageing in place and subjective well-being for older adults. The findings reveal four key dimensions of well-being that high streets provide for the ageing population: social well-being, a sense of place, aesthetic enjoyment from being active outside the home, and a sense of mastery and autonomy in pursuing daily activities. The research highlights the potential of local high streets to sustain older people’s well-being, reinforcing their importance as urban spaces that support later life. Our study emphasises the important role high streets can play in shaping ageing-in-place policies, expanding the concept of ‘place’ beyond the home. This aligns with broader health policies in Scotland, where there is a growing focus on the role of place and communities in promoting strengths and resources they already have to support health and well-being.