scholarly journals House Conversions and Sharing for an Ageing Population in New Zealand

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Fatemeh Yavari
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Older People ◽  
Early Stage ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Ageing Population ◽  
Design Strategies ◽  
Ageing In Place ◽  
Age In Place ◽  
Shared Spaces ◽  
The Cost

<p>With the rise in the number of people aged 65+ in New Zealand, it seems increasingly important that there is a supply of appropriate housing so they can remain in their communities and ‘age in place’ for as long as possible.  Evidence from both literature and statistics showed a mismatch between current and projected household characteristics and the existing housing supply in New Zealand. Therefore, this research investigated the potential for converting existing dwellings to address the housing shortfall and ageing in place in New Zealand. The aim was to make the selected houses both smaller and more age-friendly, as a means of achieving ‘ageing in place’ in well designed, and easy to heat and maintain homes.  Two New Zealand housing types were investigated (villa and state house). Using the New Zealand Lifemark 3-star standard, both were redesigned with different degrees of shared space. Three designs were produced for each house, ranging from subdivision (conversion to two smaller units), to having some shared spaces such as a guest bedroom, to private en-suite bedsitting-rooms and all living spaces shared. Using a mixed methods approach, the schemes were evaluated by client and expert participants in three steps.  1. The aim of the questionnaire-based survey was to obtain comments on the conversions, particularly regarding the levels of sharing. Following the two pilot surveys and subsequent revisions, a web and paper-based questionnaire survey was undertaken by 441 respondents aged 55-85.  2. To assess the designs and specifically whether they incorporated appropriate housing standards for people aged 55+, they were evaluated by five built environment and ageing population experts.  3. To probe the reasons behind the survey results, two rounds of client focus groups of 17 participants aged 55+ were conducted.  What was clear from the results, and which aligns with other studies, was that a high proportion of older people would prefer to age in place, either in their existing house or in a more suitable dwelling within their community. However, the cost of house conversions was perceived as problematic, as people felt that they would not be in a position to afford to do this, even if they could sell or let the new unit they would not occupy. On the other hand, the significant benefits of upgrading a house for older people include reduced energy bills through effective design strategies, such as thermal insulation and double-glazed windows, and incorporation of future-proof design features such as the installation of assistive devices like stair lifts.  Generally, schemes with higher degrees of sharing were not attractive to many respondents and those aged 75-85 were more likely to dislike these than the younger age groups. However, both expert and client groups agreed the acceptability of sharing depends on people’s personal preferences, culture, and background. Findings from this research also show that having a spare multi-purpose room, a private deck and a good-sized dwelling with plenty of sunlight are features most people wanted.  This research suggests that people aged 55–85 have very specific housing needs when it comes to ageing in place. Therefore, to ensure their requirements are met and dwellings are usable, engaging potential users in the design process at an early stage is essential.</p>

scholarly journals House Conversions and Sharing for an Ageing Population in New Zealand

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Fatemeh Yavari
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Older People ◽  
Early Stage ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Ageing Population ◽  
Design Strategies ◽  
Ageing In Place ◽  
Age In Place ◽  
Shared Spaces ◽  
The Cost

<p>With the rise in the number of people aged 65+ in New Zealand, it seems increasingly important that there is a supply of appropriate housing so they can remain in their communities and ‘age in place’ for as long as possible.  Evidence from both literature and statistics showed a mismatch between current and projected household characteristics and the existing housing supply in New Zealand. Therefore, this research investigated the potential for converting existing dwellings to address the housing shortfall and ageing in place in New Zealand. The aim was to make the selected houses both smaller and more age-friendly, as a means of achieving ‘ageing in place’ in well designed, and easy to heat and maintain homes.  Two New Zealand housing types were investigated (villa and state house). Using the New Zealand Lifemark 3-star standard, both were redesigned with different degrees of shared space. Three designs were produced for each house, ranging from subdivision (conversion to two smaller units), to having some shared spaces such as a guest bedroom, to private en-suite bedsitting-rooms and all living spaces shared. Using a mixed methods approach, the schemes were evaluated by client and expert participants in three steps.  1. The aim of the questionnaire-based survey was to obtain comments on the conversions, particularly regarding the levels of sharing. Following the two pilot surveys and subsequent revisions, a web and paper-based questionnaire survey was undertaken by 441 respondents aged 55-85.  2. To assess the designs and specifically whether they incorporated appropriate housing standards for people aged 55+, they were evaluated by five built environment and ageing population experts.  3. To probe the reasons behind the survey results, two rounds of client focus groups of 17 participants aged 55+ were conducted.  What was clear from the results, and which aligns with other studies, was that a high proportion of older people would prefer to age in place, either in their existing house or in a more suitable dwelling within their community. However, the cost of house conversions was perceived as problematic, as people felt that they would not be in a position to afford to do this, even if they could sell or let the new unit they would not occupy. On the other hand, the significant benefits of upgrading a house for older people include reduced energy bills through effective design strategies, such as thermal insulation and double-glazed windows, and incorporation of future-proof design features such as the installation of assistive devices like stair lifts.  Generally, schemes with higher degrees of sharing were not attractive to many respondents and those aged 75-85 were more likely to dislike these than the younger age groups. However, both expert and client groups agreed the acceptability of sharing depends on people’s personal preferences, culture, and background. Findings from this research also show that having a spare multi-purpose room, a private deck and a good-sized dwelling with plenty of sunlight are features most people wanted.  This research suggests that people aged 55–85 have very specific housing needs when it comes to ageing in place. Therefore, to ensure their requirements are met and dwellings are usable, engaging potential users in the design process at an early stage is essential.</p>

scholarly journals The Role of Architectural Design in Enhancing Place Attachment for Older Adults in Retirement Communities

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Masoumeh Shiran
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
New Zealand ◽  
Interior Design ◽  
Sense Of Place ◽  
Place Attachment ◽  
Early Stage ◽  
Internal Space ◽  
Ageing Population ◽  
Age In Place ◽  
Retirement Village

<p>New Zealand, like many other countries, is experiencing a significant change in its population. According to Statistics New Zealand (2015), the number of people aged 65 and over (65+) is on the rise, having doubled since 1980, and the number is likely to double again by 2036 (Statistics New Zealand, 2013). Retirement villages are a relatively new residential-type that caters for this ageing population. Demand for this form of housing by a small but increasing number is influenced by the growth in the number of people living beyond retirement age and because of a lack of other appropriate alternatives. Relocating to such housing requires many residents to adjust to an entirely new environment and lifestyle. Place attachment is understood to support successful adjustment to a new condition, aiding older adults to age contentedly in their new surroundings and as a result, age in place.  This research highlights the relationships between architectural features and people’s sense of place attachment, arguing that place and space are important variables for how older adults feel about ageing in a retirement village. The key questions in this research are: What are the design features in planned retirement villages that can enhance the satisfaction of residents, the sense of place they feel and their attachment to it? Finding the answers to these questions requires understanding how a sense of place attachment develops, the degree to which each causal factor affects this sense, and also the effects between factors. A total of 22 residents of a recently completed retirement village in Wellington, all aged 65+, were recruited through purposive and snowballing sampling. Data were collected through a mixed-methods approach using photovoice and semi-structured interviews. The aim was to explore at two scales, those of the home and of the neighbourhood, the features of a physical environment that older adults consider important for enhancing place attachment and facilitating ageing in place.  The findings reveal that themes such as age-friendly design and autonomy related to the functionality of space (place dependence) were important in enhancing older adults attachment to place. Findings from this research also show that having an open/semi-open layout of internal space, large windows and plenty of sunlight, accessible large closet and storage space, shared/public green space and accessible and age-friendly design of entry, bathroom and kitchen area are features most participants found to be important in raising their sense of attachment to where they live.  This research suggests that retirement villages could be an option for older adults to age in place and to ensure that they can develop a sense of attachment it is important to hear their voice and engage potential users at an early stage in the design process.  The outcomes of this study could aid older adults when looking for a suitable retirement village or even alternative housing. They could also serve other researchers in the fields of gerontology, architecture and interior design to address the gap in the literature as to which physical features lead to enhancement of place attachment for the older generation.</p>

scholarly journals Measuring Age-Friendly Housing: A Framework

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 848 ◽  
Author(s):  
Adriana Luciano ◽  
Federica Pascale ◽  
Francesco Polverino ◽  
Alison Pooley
Keyword(s):  
Older People ◽  
Home Environment ◽  
Housing Stock ◽  
Living Standards ◽  
Ageing Population ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Ageing In Place ◽  
Age In Place ◽  
Physical Features ◽  
New Buildings

An ageing population raises the question of providing adequate housing that enables older people to age in place without losing autonomy and independence. Except for the issue of accessibility, no framework exists that specifically outlines a standard to achieve and, as a result, interventions on existing or on new buildings may be inconsistent without leading to a desired rise in living standards. This research addresses this issue by presenting a framework for the assessment of the age-appropriateness of housing through a number of metrics that detect and identify physical and non-physical features of a home environment to enable ageing in place. The study combines data from a qualitative systematic literature review of 93 papers and qualitative data from structured interviews with four experts in the field. As a result, 71 metrics were identified, divided into eight main domains, to describe the framework. This paper provides an improved understanding of the housing features that enable ageing in place. The tool categorizes and rates qualitative and quantitative aspects that contribute to the age-friendliness of housing, resulting in an easy to adopt assessment framework. This is a valuable means for stakeholders engaged in improving the current housing stock or in constructing new buildings for older people.

scholarly journals The Role of Architectural Design in Enhancing Place Attachment for Older Adults in Retirement Communities

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Masoumeh Shiran
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
New Zealand ◽  
Interior Design ◽  
Sense Of Place ◽  
Place Attachment ◽  
Early Stage ◽  
Internal Space ◽  
Ageing Population ◽  
Age In Place ◽  
Retirement Village

<p>New Zealand, like many other countries, is experiencing a significant change in its population. According to Statistics New Zealand (2015), the number of people aged 65 and over (65+) is on the rise, having doubled since 1980, and the number is likely to double again by 2036 (Statistics New Zealand, 2013). Retirement villages are a relatively new residential-type that caters for this ageing population. Demand for this form of housing by a small but increasing number is influenced by the growth in the number of people living beyond retirement age and because of a lack of other appropriate alternatives. Relocating to such housing requires many residents to adjust to an entirely new environment and lifestyle. Place attachment is understood to support successful adjustment to a new condition, aiding older adults to age contentedly in their new surroundings and as a result, age in place.  This research highlights the relationships between architectural features and people’s sense of place attachment, arguing that place and space are important variables for how older adults feel about ageing in a retirement village. The key questions in this research are: What are the design features in planned retirement villages that can enhance the satisfaction of residents, the sense of place they feel and their attachment to it? Finding the answers to these questions requires understanding how a sense of place attachment develops, the degree to which each causal factor affects this sense, and also the effects between factors. A total of 22 residents of a recently completed retirement village in Wellington, all aged 65+, were recruited through purposive and snowballing sampling. Data were collected through a mixed-methods approach using photovoice and semi-structured interviews. The aim was to explore at two scales, those of the home and of the neighbourhood, the features of a physical environment that older adults consider important for enhancing place attachment and facilitating ageing in place.  The findings reveal that themes such as age-friendly design and autonomy related to the functionality of space (place dependence) were important in enhancing older adults attachment to place. Findings from this research also show that having an open/semi-open layout of internal space, large windows and plenty of sunlight, accessible large closet and storage space, shared/public green space and accessible and age-friendly design of entry, bathroom and kitchen area are features most participants found to be important in raising their sense of attachment to where they live.  This research suggests that retirement villages could be an option for older adults to age in place and to ensure that they can develop a sense of attachment it is important to hear their voice and engage potential users at an early stage in the design process.  The outcomes of this study could aid older adults when looking for a suitable retirement village or even alternative housing. They could also serve other researchers in the fields of gerontology, architecture and interior design to address the gap in the literature as to which physical features lead to enhancement of place attachment for the older generation.</p>

Older people and home ownership: the intention to relocate

2019 ◽  
Vol 38 (1) ◽  
pp. 37-51
Author(s):  
Braam Lowies ◽  
Robert Brenton Whait ◽  
Kurt Lushington
Keyword(s):  
Older People ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Home Ownership ◽  
Policy Implications ◽  
Topic Area ◽  
Ageing In Place ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Telephone Interviews ◽  
Age In Place ◽  
Cati Survey

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.

scholarly journals Sustainable Adaptation of New Technology—The Case of Humanoids Used for the Care of Older Adults

2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (10) ◽  
pp. 3770 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joanna Ejdys ◽  
Katarzyna Halicka
Keyword(s):  
Older People ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Positive Attitude ◽  
Social Impact ◽  
New Technology ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Survey Method ◽  
Ageing Population

Ageing population poses new social, technological, and research challenges. It is anticipated that, by 2080, Poland will be in the group of counties that will have one-third of their population aged over 65. Different strategies aim at dealing with the mentioned demographic challenge, including widespread use of humanoids in the care of older people. As this research was the first of its kind in Poland, this article aims to identify the perceived key benefits that could shape positive attitudes toward humanoids in the care of older people. Based on the specific attributes of a humanoid technology, the model hypothesizes that an attitude toward a technology can be directly shaped by four kinds of perceived benefits, namely an impact on the quality of life, functional aspects, ethical problems, and a social impact. Also, a theoretical model assumes that a user attitude toward a humanoid technology is predicted to have an indirect influence on the future intended use. A survey method was used to collect research data. An electronic questionnaire was used to conduct confidential interviews of Polish citizens. All in all, 643 questionnaires were filled. Results received using structural equation modeling confirmed that the most important factor shaping human attitudes was a perceived social impact received from the use of humanoids in the care of the lonely people and making life more enjoyable for the elderly. Results also confirmed that men had a more positive attitude toward humanoids than women. Among different age groups of respondents, people between 26–40 years of age had the most relatively positive attitude toward humanoids.

The ideal neighbourhood for ageing in place as perceived by frail and non-frail community-dwelling older people

2014 ◽  
Vol 35 (8) ◽  
pp. 1771-1795 ◽  
Author(s):  
HANNA M. VAN DIJK ◽  
JANE M. CRAMM ◽  
JOB VAN EXEL ◽  
ANNA P. NIEBOER
Keyword(s):  
Older People ◽  
Q Methodology ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
World Health ◽  
Frail Older People ◽  
Ageing In Place ◽  
Physical Conditions ◽  
Age In Place ◽  
Community Dwelling Older People ◽  
Neighbourhood Characteristics

ABSTRACTDue to demographic changes and a widely supported policy of ageing in place, the number of community-dwelling older people will increase immensely. Thus, supportive neighbourhoods enabling older people to age in place successfully are required. Using Q-methodology, we examined older people's perceptions of the comparative importance of neighbourhood characteristics for ageing in place. Based on the World Health Organization's Global Age-friendly Cities guide, we developed 26 statements about physical and social neighbourhood characteristics. Thirty-two older people in Rotterdam, half of whom were frail, rank-ordered these statements. Q-factor analysis revealed three distinct viewpoints each among frail and non-frail older people. Comparisons within and between groups are discussed. Although both frail and non-frail older people strongly desired a neighbourhood enabling them to age in place, they have divergent views on such a neighbourhood. Older people's dependence on the neighbourhood seems to be dynamic, affected by changing social and physical conditions and levels of frailty.

Housing suitable for an ageing population

2016 ◽  
Vol 20 (4) ◽  
pp. 204-208 ◽  
Author(s):  
Angela Morrison
Keyword(s):  
Older People ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Later Life ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Ageing Population ◽  
Housing Crisis ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Age In Place ◽  
Family House ◽  
Health And Well Being

Purpose The older population is growing but there is too little housing being built and very little suits their needs. The purpose of this paper is to describe what is on offer now and looks at the viability of the chalet bungalow as a desirable, affordable option which could attract older people to downsize from a family house. Design/methodology/approach This is a viewpoint piece. Findings An age-friendly dwelling is one where all types of people can age in place. Traditionally the bungalow fulfilled this niche however as more pressure is put on land and its value the style has gone out of favour. Whereas at the top end of the market developers are offering large cottages with a reception room that can be used as a ground floor bedroom the less well off owner occupier is not catered for until they need care. The dwindling supply of suitable properties has led to older people feeling trapped in homes too big for their needs at a time when there is a chronic shortage of family houses. This leads to poor health and well-being and a later life move into expensive housing with care. Originality/value Mainstream developers have avoided building bungalows because single storey dwellings are “land hungry”. This paper reviews a chalet bungalow solution which can be built to a greater density and is of a size and style that is age friendly, future proof and affordable. This message if more widely disseminated could help solve the housing crisis.

Are social media users more satisfied with their life than non-users? A study on older Italians

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-13
Author(s):  
Emanuela Sala ◽  
Gabriele Cerati ◽  
Alessandra Gaia
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Life Satisfaction ◽  
Older People ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Household Survey ◽  
Active Ageing ◽  
Ageing Population ◽  
Italian Case ◽  
Use Of Social Media ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Despite older people's increasing use of social media (SM), there is relatively little research investigating the impact of SM use on wellbeing in the ageing population. This study investigates the relationship between SM use and life satisfaction, a key dimension of wellbeing, in three age groups. We focus on the Italian case, which is particularly relevant because Italy is one of the countries both with the highest incidence of older people and the lowest uptake of SM in Europe. Applying linear regression modelling techniques, we analyse data from the 2018 Multipurpose Survey – Aspects of Everyday Living, a large probability-based household survey. For two age groups, we find a positive relationship between SM use and life satisfaction which weakens after controlling for older people's demographic and socio-economic characteristics, health conditions and social network characteristics. Given the grey digital divide that still exists in some European countries, we conclude with a call for urgent interventions to remove the hurdles that prevent frail older people from enjoying the benefits of an active ageing, fully exploiting the potential of SM use.

scholarly journals Promoting Ageing-in-Place: Design of residential buildings for older people in China

2017 ◽  
Vol 2 (6) ◽  
pp. 113
Author(s):  
Tulika Suchit Gadakari ◽  
Jingjing Wang ◽  
Karim Hadjri ◽  
Junjie Huang
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Older People ◽  
Residential Buildings ◽  
Ageing Population ◽  
Design Standards ◽  
Ageing In Place ◽  
Residential Design ◽  
Ageing Model ◽  
Design Factors

Ageing-in-place is the most common ageing model in China. Therefore, design of age-friendly residential buildings and neighbourhoods becomes an important factor leading to improvement in older people’s health and quality of life. This paper presents the current situation of the ageing population in Chinese cities by qualitatively analysing existing literature, design standards and conducting stakeholder interviews to understand older people’s housing choices as well as establish physical design factors, challenges and potentials of residential design for older people. The findings will fill the knowledge gap of age-friendly residential models in China and guide better design to meet older people’s needs.

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