College of Social Work, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA.
School of Urban and Regional Planning, Toronto Metropolitan University, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Gerontologist. 2024 May 1;64(5). doi: 10.1093/geront/gnad151.
The concept of aging in place is acknowledged as the preference of older adults, yet without consideration of the intersections of diversity in later life, it is critiqued as unattainable, unrealistic, or even undesirable. This gave rise to the exploration of what is needed to age in the right place (AIRP). Building on existing research, we examined the meaning of AIRP to older adults (aged 55+ years) who have experienced homelessness.
We conducted photovoice interviews with 11 residents of a temporary housing program in Metro Vancouver (Canada).
Using thematic analysis, we organized meanings of AIRP according to (1) Where one lives-the physical and social environment, (2) Where one goes and what one does, and (3) How one feels in "the right place."
Participants meanings' of AIRP are applied to Maslow's hierarchy of needs. That is, when basic needs of shelter are met, participants' considerations of "the right place to age" extend beyond affordable housing to include feeling safe and comfortable in one's home and neighborhood and having access to meaningful engagement and activities-both in vibrant urban districts and naturescapes-enabled by affordable transportation. Our examination of what AIRP means to this group of older adults broadens current conceptualizations. Given the increase in homelessness among older adults, it is imperative that policymakers and practitioners are cognizant of meanings of AIRP so diverse older adults can not only age in place, but can thrive in the right place.
就地老化的概念被认为是老年人的首选，但如果不考虑晚年生活多样性的交叉点，就会批评其难以实现、不切实际，甚至不可取。这就引发了对在合适的地方（AIRP）老化所需条件的探索。在现有研究的基础上，我们研究了经历过无家可归的 55 岁以上老年人对 AIRP 的理解。
我们对温哥华都会区（加拿大）一个临时住房计划的 11 名居民进行了照片访谈。
通过主题分析，我们根据（1）居住的地方——物理和社会环境，（2）居住的地方和所做的事情，以及（3）在“合适的地方”的感觉，对 AIRP 的含义进行了组织。
参与者对 AIRP 的理解适用于马斯洛的需求层次理论。也就是说，当基本的住房需求得到满足后，参与者对“适合养老的地方”的考虑就不仅仅是负担得起的住房，还包括在自己的家和社区感到安全和舒适，以及能够获得有意义的参与和活动——这既可以在充满活力的城市社区，也可以在自然景观中实现，这都得益于负担得起的交通。我们对这组老年人的 AIRP 含义的研究扩展了当前的概念。鉴于老年人群体中无家可归现象的增加，政策制定者和从业者必须意识到 AIRP 的含义，以便不同的老年人不仅能够就地养老，而且能够在合适的地方茁壮成长。
