Abstract
Environmental gerontology and the man–environment interaction is a field where the trivialities of everyday life are indeed found significant. The smaller story may be about things and pieces, but they translate into large questions about autonomy, dignity and citizenship. Environmental barriers that are easily overcome by most people, to the extent that they are even overlooked, may have profound importance for persons with functional limitations. Steep stairs, narrow doors, even a tiny doorsill, may become barriers to moving outdoors at your own choice, or stop you from getting back home again by yourself. These and other types of barriers that are so trivial for the majority of the population, and may have been trivial for most of one’s own life course, may grow significant and insurmountable in old age. They may become a constant reminder of one’s shortcomings when they are blamed upon oneself, as they often are, because environments are often taken for granted, even when they in fact are man-made and blameable.
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DAATLAND, S.O. (2006). ON THE RELEVANCE OF AGEING RESEARCH FOR POLICY AND PRACTICE. In: Wahl, HW., Brenner, H., Mollenkopf, H., Rothenbacher, D., Rott, C. (eds) The Many Faces of Health, Competence and Well-Being in Old Age. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/1-4020-4138-1_26
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