More than 700 Dorset residents shared views on ageing to help shape age-friendly plans.
The countywide survey, which closed on 30 January, gathered experiences of growing older across eight areas including housing, transport, health services, employment and social participation, with responses coming entirely from people aged over 50, mainly those in their 70s and 80s.
Concerns included a shortage of smaller step-down homes such as bungalows, the impact of losing access to a car due to limited public transport, and worries about future volunteering capacity, alongside frustration at bureaucracy and a preference among some residents to avoid services being entirely online.
Respondents also highlighted the importance of clear footpaths and bridleways to support regular exercise, while around a fifth said they did not want everything delivered digitally, even though many felt confident using technology when needed.
Councillor Steve Robinson, Dorset Council’s Adult Social Care Portfolio lead, said the response showed how important feedback is, adding that age-friendly communities should help people stay active, involved and valued as they grow older.
The survey follows Dorset becoming the 100th local authority to register as an age-friendly community with the Centre for Ageing Better, with findings now being reviewed by local reference and working groups ahead of a formal report later this spring.
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