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.

Download full-text PDF

Source
http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/geront/gnr098DOI Listing

Publication Analysis

Top Keywords

older people
24
aging place
20
"aging place"
16
meaning "aging
8
people
7
place
7
older
6
aging
6
place"
4
place" older
4

Similar Publications

Article Synopsis
  • The study investigates the prevalence and factors related to depression and anxiety among individuals with chronic kidney disease (CKD) in the UK, revealing that significant portions experience these mental health issues.
  • Participants completed an online survey that assessed mental health history and treatment preferences, finding that over half had a history of diagnosed depression and many preferred in-person support.
  • The results indicated that certain demographics, including age and gender, as well as factors like self-efficacy and current treatment, were significantly related to the levels of depression and anxiety symptoms, but differences in symptoms were not influenced by the kidney service centers’ location or size.
View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Background And Importance: Traumatic intracranial hemorrhage (tICH) after mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) is not uncommon in the elderly. Often, these patients are admitted to the hospital for observation. The necessity of admission in the absence of clinically important intracranial injuries is however unclear.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

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 PDF

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.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Prediction of oral diseases in care dependent older people.

BMC Oral Health

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.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Want AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?

Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!