Patterns of changing residential preferences during late adulthood

Conversations about Community, Connection to Place, and Housing Preferences among Aging Adults in Lexington, Kentucky

While many researchers have called for housing to be addressed in age-friendly cities and communities, little research exists to guide communities through this process. To maximize the potential for adults to age in place, researchers partnered with a local Age-Friendly community initiative to conduct focus groups and learn more about residents' preferences related to housing and residential space. The focus group data offered a glimpse into aging residents' perspectives on housing to inform planning and development of housing in a mid-size city. This second phase of a sequential mixed methods study included qualitative focus groups with 19 aging individuals. Focus group sessions sought to better understand previously identified housing preferences, aging adults' sense of community, and their connection to place. Findings suggest that aging participants cared not only about the physical structure of their home, but also the community-based aspects of where they live. Study implications suggest that social workers, working with and alongside community members and aging-service providers who have local knowledge, can support age-friendly housing models that consider the housing preferences of older residents, as well as the resources and limitations of their community.

The ideal neighbourhoods of successful ageing: A machine learning approach

Ageing outcomes are shaped by not only health conditions, but also their interactions with the external environment. While the effects of some specific neighbourhood characteristics such as rurality on ageing have been evaluated in various studies, we still know little about the relative importance of particular natural and urban environments and how the impact varies at different stages of the ageing process. This article addresses these knowledge gaps by analysing survey data from 33 European countries using a machine learning method called multivariate regression trees (MRT). Multiple wellbeing indicators are combined to form an ageing profile for each individual in the survey. After studying these profiles using MRT, we find that generally the affordability of health facilities is a major determinant of life satisfaction, self-rated health condition and mental wellbeing for individuals in most age groups. Other important but age-specific determinants are neighbourhood safety and accessibility to cultural facilities and to green areas. In contrast, characteristics such as urbanity, transportation and air quality do not significantly influence ageing outcomes. Our findings lend support to the resources theory in explaining ageing outcomes and suggest that more resources may have to be directed to improve the affordability and quality of health care services, the policing services and the accessibility to cultural and green areas in order to achieve more favourable ageing outcomes.

Factors Affecting the Intention of Multi-Family House Residents to Age in Place in a Potential Naturally Occurring Retirement Community of Seoul in South Korea

This study reveals residents’ willingness to live in their current homes and communities and analyzes the factors related to their willingness to age in place in South Korea. Using a questionnaire survey method, data of 289 residents aged 55 or older were collected in apartment areas with the potential to become naturally occurring senior communities in Seoul. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, correlation tests, t-test, ANOVA, factor analysis, and regression analysis by SPSS 26.0, and the findings were followed up. Housing services are very important in aging communities. Physical environment-oriented residential services promote a safe walking environment, facilities to support the elderly, a secure complex environment, a home-safety accident-prevention diagnosis service, home improvement, and home improvement support. Multiple regression analysis showed that residential services or elderly education and activity support services influence aging in place, which is a novel finding revealed in this study.

Older People’s Preferences for Housing and Environment Characteristics

Population ageing presents significant challenges for many countries, one of which is the provision of adequate housing. Developing understanding of the needs and preferences of ageing societies will be crucial in order to assist in the provision of suitable housing and communities that are sustainable in the long term. While a preference to ‘age in place’ is clear in the literature, comparatively less academic research is available on older people’s preferences for more specific housing and environment attributes. The aim of this study is to identify the main housing and environment characteristics that are linked to the health and wellbeing of the elderly and determine the preferences for such characteristics via a survey with UK residents aged 55+. The results indicate a strong preference for independent living and an increasing desire for bungalows in later life. Housing conditions, energy efficiency, thermal comfort, and home adaptions to facilitate ageing in place are particularly important housing characteristics to older people. The location and environment are also key drivers of housing preferences; a safe neighbourhood, accessibility to amenities, public transport, and a clean and walkable environment are particularly important. Preferences varied with age, but gender has a less significant impact on the preferences expressed. The findings of this study will be valuable for stakeholders engaged in housing policy and provision for older people.

Unraveling the (Uneven) Linkage? A Reflection on Population Aging and Suburbanization in a Mediterranean Perspective

A complex interplay between socioeconomic transformations and demographic dynamics has characterized the long-term development of European countries. As a characteristic example of such linkage, the present study focuses on the spatial relationship between metropolitan growth and population age structure. Preferences for urban and suburban locations reflect complex socioeconomic phenomena such as sprawl, class segregation, gentrification and filtering. However, the spatial linkage between sprawl and demographic transitions was relatively poorly analyzed, and should be more extensively investigated in relation with population dynamics and socioeconomic structures at local scale. By reviewing pertinent literature, this study outlines how space exerts a non-neutral impact on population age structures in Europe, shaping housing needs and influencing settlement patterns and processes of urban transformation. While suburban locations have concentrated younger families and larger households in Northern and Western Europe, the socio-demographic composition of new settlements is increasingly dominated by older inhabitants in the Mediterranean region. Results of this work suggest how discontinuous urban expansion was specifically associated with an elder, wealthy population with high standard of living and a preference for specific housing locations such as detached villas with gardens and swimming pools.

Older people and home ownership: the intention to relocate

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore older people’s intention to relocate from their primary homes. The study also seeks to understand the policy implications that such intentions may have.

Design/methodology/approach

This study employs a survey-based design via computer-aided telephone interviews (CATI). The CATI survey was employed to gather information on the behaviour of older people and whether differences exist by gender, age, health immigration status and financial knowledge. The survey-based design is triangulated with the literature on this topic area and policy issues.

Findings

The findings of the study suggest amongst others, that older South Australians overwhelmingly and significantly do not intend to move from their primary home and are content to age in place. This is particularly true as people reach the older stages of life.

Originality/value

The study enhances the understanding of the decision-making environment that older people are exposed to in contemplating relocation from the primary home. More specifically, it shows that factors stated in the literature that deemed to be of importance in the decision to relocate, has no significance in this study and that ageing in place should be used as a policy base.