Abstract

Wants and needs change overtime as people age. At old age, options are reduced and elderly are going through a lot of changes in this stage of their life and tend to suffer from depression and feeling of isolation. Most elderly people feel detached with their communities but only wish to be part of it. Putting them in an environment that feels like an institution would aggravate their depression and may lead to other problems. The purpose of this study was to explore architectural approaches in creation of age-friendly supportive environment so as to maintain them in their communities. The research used case study method in the area of Mwananyamala settlement and Msimbazi elderly centre. It was found that caring of elderly people is mainly understood in terms of responsibilities of families and the community. That it is difficult to separate elderly care without including families and communities. Also, preferential core spaces needed by elderly are those that incorporate them in communities and not those that separate them with their communities. It was concluded that elders should be allowed to interact with everyone in the community and consideration of their spaces is essential.