Understanding Aging in Place for Older Adults: A Needs Analysis

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Environmental Gerontology
• Home and Community Environment

Background:

• Aging in place is a primary goal for many older adults.
• Existing research lacks detailed assessments of older adults' home maintenance needs.
• Understanding challenges is crucial for developing effective support interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the home maintenance needs and difficulties of older adults aging in place.
• To identify strategies older adults use to overcome home maintenance challenges.
• To inform the development of interventions supporting independent living.

Main Methods:

• Focus groups were conducted with 26 independently living older adults (mean age 78.8 years) in the Atlanta metropolitan area.
• Participants described home maintenance tasks and associated difficulties.
• Qualitative data were analyzed to identify patterns and solutions.

Main Results:

• Older adults perform a wide range of home maintenance tasks.
• Physical difficulties were the primary challenges reported.
• Solutions were categorized into Cessation, Perseverance, and Compensation.

Conclusions:

• Identifying physical limitations in home maintenance is key for older adults aging in place.
• Interventions should prioritize addressing physical issues to support independence.
• Understanding coping strategies can guide the design of targeted support programs.