The Continuation of Dwelling: Safety as a Situated Effect of Multi-Actor Interactions Within Extra-Care Housing in Sweden

Abstract

This article examines the space-time situatedness of residing within extra-care housing (ECH) in Sweden. EHC constitutes an example of ordinary housing but is often categorized, along with senior housing, as "in-between housing." What differentiates the extra-care housing from the ordinary is an age limit for moving in, the provision of communal facilities, and the presence of staff at certain times each week. Two housings with different environmental and architectural conditions have been analyzed through spatial analyses, observations, and interviews with residents (n ¼ 18). The article concludes that the two different assemblings enabled two very different possibilities for accessing "safe aging." One offered opportunities for the continuation of identities which contributed to feelings of safety, and one demanded the reconstitution of identities for developing meaning in the new housing.

Housing With Care for Older People: A Scoping Review Using the CASP Assessment Tool to Inform Optimal Design

“…Community is a subtheme connected to QOL for older people in their home environment. Socialization and social support from their community were frequently mentioned by users in several studies (Berglund-Snodgrass & Nord, 2019; Burton & Sheehan, 2010; Gobbens & van Assen, 2018; Lindahl et al, 2018; Nakhodaeezadeh et al, 2017; Orrell et al, 2013; Shin, 2018). Connection with the wider community was found to be low, whereas socialization within the community was high (Orrell et al, 2013).…”

“…Smith et al (2016) measured outdoor time and concluded that community accessibility led to increased mobility. Sense of place is highly correlated with location and spatial flexibility (Berglund-Snodgrass & Nord, 2019; Orrell et al, 2013) and is interpreted as sense of home and personal realization , which pertains to a sense of belonging and adapting to interactions with new context (Orrell et al, 2013). Sense of home is understood in relation to size, space configuration, and accessibility (Orrell et al, 2013; Van Steenwinkel et al, 2017).…”

“…Pirinen (2016) cited differences between housing designed for older adults as prospective residents and housing designed by older adults either having a designer or artist background or who were interested in social living. Space configuration is associated with socialization, feelings of happiness, sense of place, and home-likeness via flexible space, guest room, and layout (Berglund-Snodgrass & Nord, 2019; Burton & Sheehan, 2010; Chin & Quine, 2012; Kim & Portillo, 2018; Nakhodaeezadeh et al, 2017; Orrell et al, 2013; Shin, 2018; Van Steenwinkel et al, 2017). Spatial flexibility was identified in the user-driven design (Pirinen, 2016).…”

“…Spatial flexibility was identified in the user-driven design (Pirinen, 2016). Specifically, several studies state that spatial flexibility is linked to socialization and privacy (Berglund-Snodgrass & Nord, 2019; Burton & Sheehan, 2010; Shin, 2018). Unit entrance configuration was related to several issues: accessibility, usability, and security (Shin, 2018).…”

Fire safety in planning of elderly residential facilities: a case study from Korea

“…Meanwhile, safety issues are important in elderly people's lives, and issues in the physical living environment of elderly people can be resolved by relevant education in the areas of facility plans, usage, and management (D'Orazio et al 2014;Fonad et al 2006;Walker et al 1992;Lina and Catharina 2019). Most of all, fire safety issues need to be addressed including not just fire prevention but also physical conditionlayout of floor and exit routes.…”