Geographic Separation and Patterns of Social Interaction Between Residents of Senior Citizen Apartment Buildings and Their Adult Children

Abstract

In this study, research questions are formulated to investigate the determinants and consequences of the physical distances separating residents of government‐assisted senior citizen apartment (SCA) projects and their adult children. Interview survey data were obtained from residents (n= 97) of three SCAS in suburban Winnipeg, Canada, and geographically matching baseline samples of community residents (n= 105). The analysis involves the use of bivariate statistical inferential tests and multiple regression frameworks. The results disclose that (1) greater parent‐child separation distances are registered by SCA residents compared to the community elderly; (2) ‘distance of the most recent residential move’ is the most significant predictor of the intergenerational separation distances recorded by SCA residents; (3) spatial proximity is the most significant predictor of social interaction between SCA residents and their children. It is concluded that the results have important implications for (1) developmental models of elderly migration and (2) policies governing the provision of seniors' housing. Dans cette étude, on s'interroge sur les déterminants et les conséquences des distances physiques qui séparent les reéidents des programmes d'habitation pour personnes âgées (SCA) subventionnés par le gouvernement, et leurs enfants adultes. On a recueilli des données d'enquête en faisant des entrevues avec les résidents (n= 97) de trois SCA dans la banlieue de Winnipeg, Canada, et avec des résidents dans la communauté (n= 105) qui font partie des échantillons de référence appariés géographiquement. Pour analyser les données, on a utilisé des tests d'inférence statistique bivariés et des analyses de régression multiple. Les résultats démontrent les faits suivants: (1) les enfants des résidents des SCA sont séparés de leurs parents par une plus grande distance que les enfants des personnes âgées dans la communauté; (2) ≪ la distance du plus récent déménagement≫est le prédicteur le plus important des distances de séparation intergénérationnelle; (3) la proximité spatiale est le prédicteur le plus significatif de l'interaction sociale entre les résidents des SCA et leurs enfants. Ces résultats comportent des conséquences importantes pour le développement des modèles de migration des personnes âgées, aussi bien que pour les politiques qui régissent le logement pour personnes âgées.

Living Arrangements and Health Status in Later Life: A Review of Recent Literature

“…However, in a similar sample, medication compliance was no different among those who lived alone versus with others (Coons, Sheahan, Martin, Hendricks, Robbins, & Johnson, 1994). Other work stresses that the benefits of moving closer to or into the same residence with others included improved medical quality of life, mood, and social support for the older person (Dean, Kolody, Wood, & Matt, 1992; De Jong, Gierveld, & Van Tilburg, 1999; Smith, 1998; Yohannes, Roomi, Waters, & Connolly, 1998).…”

Re-spacing and re-placing gerontology: relationality and affect

“…More generally, a critical approach is also evident in the way scholars have deconstructed globalisation processes; the involvement of, and consequences for, older people and older populations who either move across space or age in situ ( see Harper 2006). Moreover, a very specific and focused example of a critical approach that considers the consequences of space is research that builds on studies of the proximity of older people to kin and carers ( see Bordone 2009; Lin and Rogerson 1995; Rogerson, Burr and Lin 1998; Shelton and Grundy 2000), and seeks to understand how the ‘challenge of distance’ impacts on the nature of personal interactions and relationships (Hallman and Joseph 1999; Joseph and Hallman 1996, 1998; Smith 1998).…”

The Geographies of ageing: Progress, debates and research agenda in geographical gerontology

“…Wiles, 2018). Ancak, sağlık coğrafyası açısından bu hareketlerin, insanların yaşamlarının karmaşıklığının bir parçası olarak (Rowles ve Watkins, 1993) veya bakım-destek alışverişi ve sağlık üzerindeki etkileriyle ilgili olarak anlaşılması gerekmektedir (Smith, 1998a). Zira olumsuz yaşam olayları tarafından yönlendirilen hareketler, örneğin, depresif etkiler yaratabilmekte veya stresli olabilmektedir (Bradley ve Van Willigen, 2010).…”