Older people have difficulties moving on stairs and in outdoor conditions. Their ability to balance is reduced. Their bones are more fragile and the risk of fracture increases. Joints become stiff. The nervous system function slows down with age, and coordination of movements is no longer as fast and precise as in younger age. People stumble more, lose their balance and fall. Significant vision and hearing loss usually also occurs.
For the elderly, it’s important to make environmental obstacles contrasting or acoustic to draw attention to unsafe aspects. Adequate resting places in the form of benches and other supporting surfaces are essential when walking in public urban spaces. For example, it helps if benches have armrests that make standing up easier, are constructed so that people don’t have to sit too low, etc. Things and solutions that the elderly know and are familiar with, or that can be intuitively used correctly, are also more suitable for older people. It’s necessary to create additional possibilities for supporting the body with hands. For example, various posts and armrests in public transport and other places where prolonged standing may be necessary.
If you feel that you’ve been treated unequally, please contact the Equality Commissioner by e-mail at avaldus@volinik.ee or telephone +372 626 9059. The anonymity of the person is guaranteed when contacting the Commissioner.
