Home Modification for Older Adults Aging in Place: Evidence from the American Housing Survey

Green, Leslie; Betz-Hamilton, Axton; Albright, Bonnie; Lee, Sung-jin; Vasquez, K.; Cantrell, Randy; Peek, Gina; Carswell, Andrew T.

doi:10.1080/26892618.2022.2140466

Cited by 4 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 20 publications

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“…For gender, education, and income, the body of research is more inconsistent [e.g., ( 10 , 15 , 19 , 20 )]. Gender effects were not found in our study, which was also reported in the recent release of the American Housing Survey ( 50 ). This can also be due to a confounding relationship with other study variables that is difficult to disentangle.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 84%

“…This direction of association was also reported by Ishigami et al ( 21 ), but, e.g., not by Meucci et al ( 10 ), and could be due to the fact that higher education is often associated with better physical functioning in old age ( 51 ), which relates to a lower chance of home modifications. For participants with higher income, we found a higher chance of home modifications, which corresponds to some evidence, e.g., representative samples of noninstitutionalized US adults aged 65+ years ( 50 , 52 ), but not to other, equally large studies ( 10 , 15 ).…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 83%

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Who uses technical aids in old age? Exploring the implementation of technology-based home modifications in Europe

Schmidt

Wagner

Büßecker

et al. 2023

Front. Public Health

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IntroductionHome modifications and features, e.g., handrails or ramps for people using wheelchairs, should allow residents with functional limitations to maintain social participation, health, and wellbeing for aging in place. However, there is little evidence in relation to the individual characteristics shaping this implementation of technology-based home modifications. Current studies often focus on describing the distribution of certain implementations in households but do not provide information on factors predicting the implementation or detailed and multifaceted data on associations with characteristics of the older user. This article, therefore, examines the use of well-established technological aids and home modifications (e.g., ramps, handrails, automatic doors, bathroom or kitchen modifications, chair lifts, and alerting devices) in the households of older adults in Europe. We refer to Lawton's and Nahemow's concept of personal-environment fit and describe the use of technical aids across 18 countries, analyze associations with individual characteristics and social resources, and compare those associations and variance explanation between older adults in their third age (“young-old”, 65–79 years) and older adults in their fourth age (“old-old”, 80+).MethodsDrawing on representative data from the Survey of Health, Ageing, and Retirement in Europe (SHARE), wave 6, a total of N = 38,553 older adults aged 65–105 years (M = 74.4 years, SD = 7.1; 55% women) were analyzed by performing hierarchical logistic regression analyses.ResultsIndicators of functioning explained the highest proportion of variance, followed by social resources, and variance explanation was higher for the fourth age than for the third age. In particular, older adults with physical limitations, a larger social network, and those who received care from a child outside the household were more likely to have home modifications installed.DiscussionThe study provides an overview of associations of diverse variables with assistive devices and modifications in the home and can serve as a starting point for public health activities concerning the heterogeneity of people aged 65 years and older.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 84%

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 83%

Who uses technical aids in old age? Exploring the implementation of technology-based home modifications in Europe

Schmidt

Wagner

Büßecker

et al. 2023

Front. Public Health

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Possible factors contributing to this trend may also include limitations in the housing market's flexibility, lack of available alternative housing options, and difficulties in accessing modification services. Previous research has shown that living as a single in a home is associated with a lower likelihood of having made home modifications (Meucci et al, 2016), while homes with a larger household number were more likely to have undergone modification (Green et al, 2022). Nondisabled family members may support home modification to accommodate the needs of a disabled family member (Eriksen et al, 2015).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Previous research has explored various factors that influence the utilization of home modifications, including racial and ethnic characteristics (Bakk et al, 2017), socioeconomic status (Lin & Wu, 2014), health status, and age (Stevens et al, 2011; Vespa et al, 2020), as well as housing characteristics (Cook et al, 2005; Green et al, 2022). These studies shed light on the complex interplay of these variables in determining the adoption of home modifications, providing valuable insights for policymakers, healthcare professionals, and researchers to support older adults’ safety and independence in their living environments.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Exploring Differences in Home Modification Strategies According to Household Location and Occupant Disability Status: 2019 American Housing Survey Analysis

Kim,

Lee,

Kang

2023

J Appl Gerontol

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Home modification is essential in helping older adults age in place safely and independently. The purpose of this study was to examine the impact of housing location and disability status on home modification projects among older adults using the 2019 American Housing Survey Data. The study found that recent home modification strategies were significantly different according to older adults’ housing locations and health status. Older adults in non-metropolitan areas and with disability were less likely to make home modifications, and when they did so, they spent less money on the modifications. The findings highlight the importance of providing adequate home modification programs and resources for home modifications, as well as support and education from community organizations, particularly for older adults in non-metropolitan areas. The results of this study can assist in developing housing policies and guidelines to address these current and future challenges in home modification implementation for the aging population.

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Older adult supportive environment at home—a case study in Jordan: overall sense of control associated with home modification

Al-Homoud

2024

Front. Public Health

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IntroductionModification becomes a critical issue in a supportive home environment for older adults.MethodsThis study examined if modifications in different spaces at home are facilitated to provide a supportive environment for older adults to feel in control in a cultural context. Data was utilized using field research with a mixed method design: Structured and open-ended interviews as well as surveys using a questionnaire. The hypothesis states that older adults have a supportive environment at home when the overall sense of control is associated with home modification.ResultsThe result reveals that overall sense of control with home modification and its components: kitchen, bedroom, living room, and reception room have a significant effect on older adults’ wellbeing.DiscussionTherefore, older adult supported environment in Jordan can only take place by boosting awareness about the existing problems in the physical environment, by describing the benefits of home modification and by reducing the barriers of home modifications. This process can enhance the housing market and provide better urban policies for urban design and urban planning based on cultural heritage and values.

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Home Modification for Older Adults Aging in Place: Evidence from the American Housing Survey

Cited by 4 publications

References 20 publications

Who uses technical aids in old age? Exploring the implementation of technology-based home modifications in Europe

Who uses technical aids in old age? Exploring the implementation of technology-based home modifications in Europe

Exploring Differences in Home Modification Strategies According to Household Location and Occupant Disability Status: 2019 American Housing Survey Analysis

Older adult supportive environment at home—a case study in Jordan: overall sense of control associated with home modification

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