Purpose: This study illuminates the concept of "aging in place" in terms of functional, symbolic, and emotional attachments and meanings of homes, neighbourhoods, and communities. It investigates how older people understand the meaning of "aging in place," a term widely used in aging policy and research but underexplored with older people themselves.
Design And Methods: Older people (n = 121), ranging in age from 56 to 92 years, participated in focus groups and interviews in 2 case study communities of similar size in Aotearoa New Zealand, both with high ratings on deprivation indices. The question, "What is the ideal place to grow older?" was explored, including reflections on aging in place. Thematic and narrative analyses on the meaning of aging in place are presented in this paper.
Results: Older people want choices about where and how they age in place. "Aging in place" was seen as an advantage in terms of a sense of attachment or connection and feelings of security and familiarity in relation to both homes and communities. Aging in place related to a sense of identity both through independence and autonomy and through caring relationships and roles in the places people live.
Implications: Aging in place operates in multiple interacting ways, which need to be taken into account in both policy and research. The meanings of aging in place for older people have pragmatic implications beyond internal "feel good" aspects and operate interactively far beyond the "home" or housing.
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http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/geront/gnr098 | DOI Listing |
J Nephrol
January 2025
School of Life and Medical Sciences, University of Hertfordshire, College Lane Campus, Hatfield, UK.
Eur J Trauma Emerg Surg
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Department of Neurology, Haaglanden Medical Center, PO Box 432, 2501 CK, The Hague, The Netherlands.
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View Article and Find Full Text PDFQJM
January 2025
Tallaght hospital, Dept. of Age Related Healthcare; Trinity College Dublin, Dept. of Medical Gerontology.
Background: Falls are frequently reported within the HSE. The Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing(TILDA) found that 40% of over 50 s experience a fall in a two year period, with 20% requiring hospital attendance (1). It has been estimated that the cost of injuries related to falls in older people will increase exponentially over the coming years (2).
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBMC Health Serv Res
January 2025
Tokyo Metropolitan University, 7-2-1, Higashiogu, Arakawa City, Tokyo, Japan.
Background: Among the people with diverse backgrounds and cultural customs living in Japan, two important groups, namely, war-displaced Japanese returning from China and South and North Korean nationals who are naturalized citizens residing in Japan, will experience population aging in the same way as the general Japanese population. In old age, physical function generally declines, multiple diseases are more likely to occur, and health issues that need to be addressed increase in number. The aim of this study was to identify the factors associated with the use of preventive health services in Japan by older Korean residents and war-displaced Japanese returning from China.
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January 2025
Department of Odontology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Nørre Allé 20, Copenhagen, 2200, Denmark.
Background: A large number of older people depend on others for help with their daily personal care, including oral health care. Nursing home and elder-care staff often face challenges identifying older people, who are exposed to or at an increased risk of oral diseases. Thus, the aim of this study was to identify risk factors that non-dental care staff can use to identify older people at risk of oral diseases and poor oral hygiene.
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