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Abstract
A phenomenological investigation was made of older people’s experiences and feelings regarding important housing environments across the life span. Qualitative descriptions were gathered from a small sample of retired men and women living in their own homes. This information was collected through in-depth interviews, personal documents, and participant observation. Although individual memories of favorite homes varied, a pattern emerged in the features and areas of the houses that were described. Features of the house coalesced around two qualities, enclosure and openness. Enclosure was associated with centers within the home. Openness expressed connection with the outside world. These findings are discussed within the scope of relevant theories in the literature. Implications are drawn for the design of housing for elderly persons.
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Margaret A. Boschetti
Margaret A Boschetti is an Associate Professor in the Department of Clothing, Textiles, and Interior Design at Kansas State University.