Conceptualizing Age-Friendly Community Characteristics in a Sample of Urban Elders: An Exploratory Factor Analysis

Abstract

Accurate conceptualization and measurement of age-friendly community characteristics would help to reduce barriers to documenting the effects on elders of interventions to create such communities. This article contributes to the measurement of age-friendly communities through an exploratory factor analysis of items reflecting an existing US Environmental Protection Agency policy framework. From a sample of urban elders (n = 1,376), we identified 6 factors associated with demographic and health characteristics: access to business and leisure, social interaction, access to health care, neighborhood problems, social support, and community engagement. Future research should explore the effects of these factors across contexts and populations.

Keywords:

• age-friendly communities
• factor analysis
• social environment
• urban communities
• social policy

Acknowledgments

We acknowledge Dr. Anne Hughes and Dr. Amanda Woodward from Michigan State; Dr. Letha Chadiha of the University of Michigan School of Social Work for her comments on a draft; and our statistical consultant, Ms. Giselle Kolenic of the UM Center for Statistical Consultation and Research.