Aging in place by urban elderly homeowners : desire or lack of choice? /
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| Other Authors: | , , |
| Format: | Thesis Book |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
1988.
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| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | ProQuest, Abstract Link to OAKTrust copy |
| Abstract: | This dissertation reports the findings from a self-administered mail survey of 258 randomly selected elderly homeowners (65 years and above) in three major Texas cities. Its purpose was to find an explanation for aging in place, the nonadjusting behavior of elderly homeowners to diminishing housing needs in old age. The concept of aging in place was operationalized into stages in the life cycle at which these elderly had moved into their present hones. Stages were divided in to below age 30, 30 to 44, 45 to 59, and age 60 and above. Five factors were investigated for an explanation: 1) physical and financial ability to deal with difficulties of home ownership, 2) perceived lack of residential options, 3) lack of residential mobility experience, 4) satisfaction with the home, and 5) satisfaction with the neighborhood. Consequences of aging in place, such as overhousing and aging of the suburbs were investigated. Major findings fell into a dichotomy between early movers (below age 45) and later movers (after age 45). Early movers tended to be less educated, have less income, and have lower lifetime mobility. Their residential satisfaction stemmed from good memories, but their neighborhoods showed the strongest signs of transition and deterioration. Later movers tended to be better educated, have more income, and have higher lifetime mobility. They tended to live in better neighborhoods and gain their residential satisfaction from the attractiveness of the neighborhood. Aging in place seemed to be the choice for them. Early movers seemed to lack mobility experience and financial means to make residential choices at this time in their lives. Inquiries about an ideal living space other than the home elicited a composite image of a single-storied dwelling with tight security and no yard maintenance. Its inside space had to have a separate livingroom and one or two bedrooms. Of utmost importance was its location close to daily shopping facilities. |
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| Item Description: | Typescript (photocopy). Vita. "Major subject: Urban and Regional Science." |
| Physical Description: | xii, 134 leaves : illustrations ; 29 cm |
| Bibliography: | Includes bibliographical references (leaves 117-122). |