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ABSTRACT
One key component to facilitate older adults’ ability to remain independent and age in place is the provision of formal services in their community. However, elder-targeted services are lacking for many older adults depending on their area of residence. This study explores the disparity of formal service utilization by residence among adults aged 50 years and older (N = 672). We compared elders living in the community, elders living in service-poor housing (e.g., subsidized public housing), and elders living in service-rich housing (e.g., continuing care retirement community). Results suggest that older adults living in service-poor housing have greater physical and mental health concerns compared to those in service-rich housing. Those in service-poor housing also have less social and economic resources. These factors may decrease the ability to age in place if residents cannot afford services or cannot navigate the system. Opportunities and challenges based on these data are discussed.
Disclosure statement
No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.
Additional information
Notes on contributors
Heidi H. Ewen
Dr. Heidi H. Ewen is an expert in aging-in-place and relocation research: stress, coping, and adaptation, and she has experience with advanced statistics and analyzing longitudinal datasets. She has a background in gerontology and experimental psychology and is trained in psychophysiological experimental methods using a wide array of techniques and instruments.
Kerstin G. Emerson
Dr. Kerstin G. Emerson is a trained gerontologist with expertise in minority aging, health disparities, as well as the importance of social engagement among older adults. Her research is based on analyses of large national datasets and includes multi-level and cross-national analyses.
Tiffany R. Washington
Dr. Tiffany R. Washington has 5 years of direct practice experience in medical social work. Her research interests include designing and implementing culturally targeted social and behavioral interventions to reduce the burden of health disparities and improve psychosocial outcomes in older chronic kidney disease patients and dementia caregivers.
Andrew T. Carswell
Dr. Andrew T. Carswell has research expertise in consumers and their mortgage situation. While he is interested in how these decisions impact the individual household, his research also focuses on the impacts of how these housing decisions affect the neighborhoods and communities as well. Aside from those situations involving the mortgage itself, his research also examines the impacts that community decisions and actions have on area homeowners as well, specifically issues such as mortgage fraud, residential infill design, and quality of housing counseling services.
Matthew Lee Smith
Dr. Matthew Lee Smith has established expertise in survey research methodology, measurement, and evaluation pertaining to an array of public health issues. He has a national reputation as a falls expert and evaluator of evidence-based programs. His involvement in local, state, and national evaluation initiatives has been integral to foster understanding about the reach, adoption, implementation, effectiveness, and maintenance of different evidence-based programs targeting key populations in a variety of community, school, workplace, and healthcare sectors.