Landscape of Geriatrics

Spatial Geography for the Elderly

Lisa K ChongGeography 557April 15, 2009

Agenda

• Introduction• Rationale

– Relevance to Urban and GIS Issues

• Progression• Intended Outcomes

Introduction

• Study will deal with the spatial segregation of elderly people– Disconnect from amenities and services– People are bussed from retirement homes

to their destinations• Disempowerment

Causes of Segregation

• Decline in elderly population in the city centre (Hanson, 1995)

• Fragmentation of family due to transportation/suburbanization– Heavy reliance on automobiles

• Reduced mobility

Relevance to Urban Form

• Growing concern due to an aging population in baby boomers

• Need a system that conforms to meet potential problems and issues

Source: Statistics Canada, Population Projections for Canada, Province and Territories 2005-2031

Increase in Number and

Percentage of Seniors in

Alberta

Relevance to Urban Form (cont.)

• Aging population has implications for the lived environment– Low-income housing– Geography of elderly are

grounded in limited “mental maps” Herbert & Peace (1980)

– Suggests forging an identity based on the community setting

– Increased life expectancy: implications?

Use of GIS in Quantifying Issues

• Sample of how issues of accessibility may be derived from geographical data– Comparative

study– Tools such as

buffers

Getting There: Tools of ArcGIS

• Spatial Analyst– Mapping distances to major facilities

(hospitals, etc) from retirement homes

• Use of buffers– Determine walking, transit and driving times– Concentric buffer rings

Progression

Complete…– Identification of issues– Theoretical research

in literature

In progress…– GIS component– Spatial analyst– What else?

http://www.dreamstime.com/3d-mouse-pointer-%E2%80%93-hourglass-%E2%80%93-isolated-image1837136

Potential Outcomes

• Defines the issue– Public awareness

• Optimism: perhaps these ideas will motivate a better land use plan for the urban environment– Mixed use, density– Variety in ages, housing, proximity of

services and amenities

• Better preparations for the future

In Closing

• Comments and suggestions are welcome!

References

• Graham K. Rowles; Prisoners of Space? Exploring the Geographical Experiences of Older People (1979)

• Wayne K.D. Davies & David T. Herbert; Communities within Cities (1993)

• Susan Hanson; Getting There Urban Transportation in Context (1995)