Supporting the well-being of older adults in the historic environment

Engagement with the historic environment can promote a range of well-being benefits. However, heritage and well-being initiatives are often short-term and fragmented with limited integration of ageing-in-place. Moving forward, a more systematic and place-based approach is required to support the needs of ageing populations and enhance well-being. This paper proposes seven recommendations across the domains of people, place and practice, for supporting older adults’ well-being in the historic environment. These include: to engage in place-making; to embed a knowledge of ageing-in-place into management of the historic environment; to create space for intergenerational practice; to provide third spaces; to seek and form partnerships; to embed co-creation and co-development into management of the historic environment; and to hire and train staff who are knowledgeable on the needs of older adults.