Associate Professor Clare Littleton is Deputy Director of the Centre for Healthy Sustainable Development at Torrens University Australia. She conducts research in the area of public health with a specific focus on children, the social and political determinants of health, health equity, intergenerational engagement and education, housing and public policy. Her research focusses on addressing complex policy issues through cross disciplinary research and aims to address social change, equity issues, and contribute to addressing the UN sustainable development goals.
Intergenerational housing research project – shared lives, shared land – A South Australian case study
Social isolation and loneliness for older adults is a complex health policy issue. The built environment can promote (or hinder) social connections, and therefore, it is important to consider housing arrangements that incorporate programs and infrastructure to address these issues. Intergenerational programs are known to improve health and wellbeing outcomes for both older and younger generations.
We present findings on the development of a purpose-built intergenerational housing environment that locates a retirement residence and an early learning centre, on the same site. The main aim is to enhance both services by creating shared spaces for older residents and children to engage in authentic intergenerational interactions, which are known to mutually benefit both cohorts.
We conducted two linked research projects including: (a) a single qualitative case study design and photovoice study where we tell the story of this purpose-built intergenerational housing environment from two perspectives: (a) the partners who collaborated to develop this project, and (b) the children and older adults who experience this site, and intergenerational engagement, within the context of their daily lives.