The Meaning of “Aging in Place” to Older People

In their article “ The Meaning of “Aging in Place” to Older People,” Wiles et al. (2011) conducted a study to examine what “aging in place” means to older people. Aging in place is a term extensively used in aging policy and studies to refer to still living in the community with some degree of independence instead of staying in residential care homes . Wiles et al. (2011) argue that the term is understudied among older people, hence their study. A sample size of 121 older individuals between the ages of 56 and 92 years was recruited for the study. Data was collected using both interviews and focus groups. The study’s findings indicated that older people did not understand or were not familiar with the term aging in place or what it means. Also, findings revealed that older people wish to have alternatives regarding living arrangements and their access to different services and desired amenities. Aging in place was preferred by participants because it provided them with a sense of attachment and security. Besides, the study revealed that aging in place was considered an advantage by older individuals because of familiarity with homes and communities in which they lived. 

The aging in place concept is based on the environmental gerontologists’ idea that as individuals grow older, they become more attached to the places they live and develop more sensitivity and vulnerability to their environments. Existing evidence suggests that relocating older people can result in stress, feeling isolated, grieve, and a decline in their physical and mental function. According to Rowle’s theory of insideness, attachment to a place comprise physical, autobiographical, and social insideness. As a result, older people develop strong connections with their places, which makes them feel secure, have a better sense of self, and more familiarity. The article recommends that future research and policy consider other factors that make a living place acceptable apart from home focus. The insights presented in this article are essential in ensuring that older people live in acceptable environments that contribute to their overall wellbeing as they grow older.

Reference

Wiles, J. L., Leibing, A., Guberman, N., Reeve, J., & Allen, R. E. (2011). The meaning of “aging in place” to older people.  The Gerontologist ,  52 (3), 357–366. https://doi.org/10.1093/geront/gnr098