Things and space in old age and an ageing society

Poland belongs to the group of countries in which the ageing process of the population has taken on a very violent dimension. Demographic forecasts indicate that the population of Poland in the middle of the 21st century will be one of the oldest in the group of European Union countries. The ageing of the population is a challenge, not only for the seniors themselves, but also for the whole society. Minimizing the negative effects of the ageing process requires undertaking actions in various areas of social policy in order to prepare for an increase in the number of elderly people with a simultaneous decrease in the number of people at pre-age and working age. The aim of the article is to present the impact and significance of objects and space in which seniors function on the life of older people. The ageing process of the population forces the adoption of measures aimed at adapting the private and public environment to the needs of seniors, in particular people with reduced ability to self-care and self-care. The article uses data from the GUS, NFZ, EC, MRPiPS and the results of the author’s own research.