Are neighbourhoods age-friendly? Experiences of older Surinamese adults in the Netherlands during the COVID-19 pandemic

Older Surinamese adults in the Netherlands have been disproportionately affected by COVID-19. The ability to provide support in response to older adults’ needs contributes to the age-friendliness of neighbourhoods and may be especially important during public health emergencies such as a pandemic. In this study, older Surinamese adults’ experience of neighbourhood age-friendliness, as indicator of a vital city, in general and during the COVID-19 pandemic was explored. Based on the eight age-friendly domains identified by the WHO, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 17 Surinamese adults (≥70 years) living in Rotterdam and the Hague. Views on the age-friendliness of the neighbourhoods in general and during the pandemic were asked. Despite differences in resilience within and across neighbourhoods, this study showed that certain age-friendly features can support older Surinamese adults in the Netherlands during a pandemic. These findings have implications for policymakers and health service providers seeking to develop age-friendly neighbourhoods, as an indicator of a vital city, in general and during a pandemic.