Everybody is aware that our faculties and abilities change with advancing age. There is also evidence, though, that the outlook of retirees and people approaching retirement age is changing as well. People in the latter half of their lives are more active now than in previous generations, and public-facility design needs to acknowledge that.

The following points are excerpted with permission from “Accommodating Aging Population Needs in Airport Terminals,” by Harry P. Wolfe, Maricopa Association of Governments. It summarizes changes that accompany aging, how those changes affect an individual, and some design implications for airport-terminal design.

Decrease in the size of the eye’s pupil and change in coloration of the lens: A person of 60 requires triple the illumination to see as a 20-year-old and has increased difficulty in distinguishing certain colors and color combinations. The choice of hue, lightness, and saturation of color for signage (e.g., “You Are Here” maps) and accouterments are important to wayfinding. Terminal lighting needs enhancement.

Changes in the bones of the ear result in greater difficulty in hearing: About 30 percent of seniors may have some hearing loss. Audible announcements may need to be accompanied by text. Terminal acoustics need improvement.

Impairment of shoulder joint because of arthritis, occupational trauma, and disuse: With a reduced range of motion and lessened grip strength and endurance, many older people have difficulty hauling baggage through terminals and retrieving baggage. Baggage check-in location and procedures can either ease or exacerbate this situation.

Decline in hand function due to arthritis, neurological impairment, vascular disease, and trauma: A reduction in ability to grasp makes it more difficult to use terminal vending machines, haul baggage over long distances, and retrieve items from a wallet or purse during airport security checks. With a projection of as many as 27 million more air trips by seniors in 2020 than in 2000, accommodating these needs may be necessary to facilitate overall airport traffic flow.

Impairments to gait and balance due to changes in neuromuscular systems: People become more susceptible to falls as they get older. Moving sidewalks, stairs, and escalators may not be the ideal means of moving people because they pose a fall hazard to seniors.

Loss of brain cells impairs cognitive skills: Taking longer to process information and draw inferences heightens anxiety associated with the unknown. Terminal signage and “You Are Here” maps need to be as simple and easy to interpret as possible.

Deterioration of heart muscles and hardening of arteries result in reduced blood flow: Reduced stamina makes it more difficult to traverse long distances or stand for a prolonged period of time.

Reduction in efficiency of the respiratory system: Reduced stamina is one result of shortness of breath. Lack of oxygen can also increase anxiety. Again, standing and walking are more difficult and wayfinding is more anxiety producing.

Changes in personality result in increased introspection and greater cautiousness: A greater unwillingness to venture out and take risks makes seniors more sensitive to the complexities of traversing terminals and acts as a deterrent to travel. Accommodating the needs of seniors in airport terminals over the coming decades is likely to be a significant competitive amenity among airlines.

Sources: Mayo Clinic, Rochester Minn., and Dr. Andrew Scharlach and Barrie Robinson, University of California Berkeley.

Copyright 2003 The Volpe Center and U.S. Federal Aviation Administration, excerpted with permission.

Copyright 2004 The American Institute of Architects. All rights reserved. Home Page