for successful aging in place in elderly housing - ENHR 2007 ...

W03 – The Residential Context of Health
FOR SUCCESSFUL AGING IN PLACE IN
ELDERLY HOUSING: FACTORS
INFLUENCING SUBJECTIVE WELL-BEING
OF ELDERLY HOUSING RESIDENTS OF
DENMARK
Yoko Matsuoka
ymat@zeus.eonet.ne.jp

For successful aging in place in elderly housing: Factors influencing subjective well-being of the elderly housing residents of
Denmark
ENHR 2007 International Conference ‘Sustainable Urban Areas’
For Successful Aging in Place in Elderly Housing:
Factors Influencing Subjective Well-being of Elderly Housing
Residents of Denmark
Yoko Matsuoka, JAPAN
School of Sociology
Kwansei Gakuin University, ymat@zeus.eonet.ne.jp
Phone +81-798-73-1011 / fax +81-798-73-1063
Abstract:s:
Elderly housings are the key accommodations for aging in place that provide
physically supportive environment, such as no steps (barrier-free), wide toilet to help
self-help and convenient surroundings to live independently for the elderly with a little
physical frailty. In Denmark, they stopped building new nursing homes in 1988 and
started building elderly housings where the residents can live independently as long as
possible with getting community-based 24 hours care flexibly as they get more weak.
This study presents results of research based on data from interviews with 15 residents
in 3 elderly housings in Denmark and from quantitative survey with 62 elderly persons
living in a elderly housing. The author found out through correlations and regression
analysis that possibility of residential continuation and satisfaction of the housing and
independent attitude from medical care and extroversion and action of getting
out/meeting someone have strongest relationship with subjective well-being among
other factors such as age, economic condition and health condition including behavioral
competence. Results show distinctive profile of needs and resources concerning
housing condition and flexible community-based care and social interaction and less
dependence on medical care.
Keywords: Denmark; elderly housing; subjective well-being; aging in place; live independently
Workshop: 3 The residential Context of Health
Author: Yoko Matsuoka
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For successful aging in place in elderly housing: Factors influencing subjective well-being of the elderly housing residents of
Denmark
1. Introduction
“Aging in place” refers to the trend whereby older persons are “living in their own
residences and communities as long as possible, despite increasing frailty and its associated
problems” (Ivry, 1995), and is regarded as effective to delay or even avoid relocation to a
nursing home.
When older people get frail, the living environment needs to be more supportive to
compensate for their limitations or disabilities. In this context, elderly housing is the key
accommodation that provide physically supportive environment such as no steps (barrierfree),
wide toilet to help self-help and convenient surroundings to live independently for the
elderly with a little physical frailty. Both from the elders’ quality of life point of view and the
point of financial matter of policy makers, elderly housing for aging in place is forefront
issue.
Generally speaking, European countries provide these kinds of housings for the elderly at rate
of around 5% of the elderly 65 years old over (OECD, 2000). Especially, Denmark is one of
the countries with highest rate of elderly housing provision. Most of all, the country took
peculiar strategy to achieve aging in place after deinstitutionalization at 1988. That is the
separation theory of service function from dwelling function, on the contrary the institutions
are dwellings packaged with care where the elderly lose their living power and self-dignity
under provider-oriented attitude (Hansen, 1998; Andersen, 1995; Matsuoka, 2005).
In this paper, the focus is placed on the factors influencing the subjective well-being of the
residents in elderly housing in Denmark, and the strongest factors which were searched
though interview survey are found out though multi-variable regression analyses.
This study is placed as pre-survey followed by big scale research in Denmark and Japan.
2. Review of the Literature
Aging in place
Traditionally the term “aging in place” has referred to individuals growing old in their own
homes with the emphasis on modification of home environments to compensate for
limitations and disabilities (Pynoos, 1993). Aging in place is the newer term to be included
along with ‘senior citizen’ ‘golden agers’ in the lexicon of gerontology (Callahan, 1993). To
achieve this trend, two elements are required. One is community/home-based service, and the
other is the accommodation (Ivry, 1995).
It is social reality that the elderly stay in their home or in elderly housing with associating
with their declining function. The development of the house-related services and communitybased
care can enable the elderly to age in place (Ivry, 1995).
Accommodation has implications of shelter and dynamic environment which is adapted to
physical change of the residents and to comprehensive social condition (Kelen & Griffiths,
1983). Although most older persons prefer to age in place at home, few argued this point.
Recently the concept has been expanded to include elderly housing (Ball, 2004). Ball takes
“assisted living” in United States as example, a type of midrange supportive housing
generally considered less restrictive and more home-like than nursing home. Elderly housing
as alternative of own home is the effective and suitable shelter for aging in place.
Aging in place in Denmark
Since 1998, Building new nursing homes “Plejehjem” have been prohibited. Instead of
institutions, they have built elderly housings “Ælderboliger (Almene ælderboliger)” with help
of various policies to promote aging in place. As described in introduction, the separation
theory of dwelling and services made this movement peculiar. The older persons can age in
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For successful aging in place in elderly housing: Factors influencing subjective well-being of the elderly housing residents of
Denmark
place in elderly housing to get community-based care flexibly as they are getting more and
more frail or handicapped.
“Elderly/person with handicap law” prescribes about the condition of the elderly housing
simply and accurately. It must be no steps structure, under 67 square meters wide, selfcontained
house, accessible, can get help round-clock. The purpose of the elderly housing is
to help the elderly or the handicapped live independently in common and suitable
environment.
About 5.5 % of the elderly 65 years old over live elderly housing ( Matsuoka, 2005).
Factors influencing of subjective well-being in elderly housing
Lawton composed Quality of life with four domains, psychological well-being, perceived
QOL, behavioural competence, objective environment ( Lawton, 1983). In recent years,
considerable debate has addressed the issue of how to define the concept of quality of life,
particularly as it relates to frail elders. Although no precise definition has emerged,
investigators generally agree that the construct is multidimensional and has both subjective
and objective components (Birren & Dieckmann, 1991; Ball, 2000).
This study focuses on the issue concerning well-being of the residents in elderly housing.
The previous studies of quality of life in elderly housing, including institutions, are quite few.
And the definitions of quality of life in elderly housing vary so much about the component
construction. Ball said that these few studies indicate the needs for additional information
about how residents define quality of life and the factors in the social and physical
environment of the setting that influence it (2000). She identified 14 domains of quality of
life based on the combined values expressed by residents in interview data. Domains include
aspect specifically related to quality of care as well as components of the broader concept. 14
domains are, psychological well-being, independence and autonomy, social relationships and
interactions, meaningful activities, care from facility, comfort, cognitive functioning/memory,
sleep, food, connectedness to community out side of facility, physical functioning,
religion/spirituality, physical environment, safety and security.
All these studies made clear the concept components of quality of life. But, it is not clear
what is independence, autonomy, safety and security and so on.
So, the purpose of this study is to make clear the contents of factors influencing subjective
well-being through qualitative survey and to demonstrate which factors are more effective to
promote well-being of the residents through quantitative survey and multi-variable regression
analyses.
3. Research design and methodology
The main purpose of this focused investigation is to discover and examine what kind of
factors are the most effective for Danish elderly to live in elderly housing with high wellbeing.
In this research, the factors are searched by qualitative survey at first, and then the
searched factors are examined by correlations and regression analyses.
Interview and grounded theory analyses
The 15 residents in three elderly housings, Ælderboliger, was interviewed following
interview guide. Participants were recruited by the leader of day centre which is located next
to the elderly housing. The distribution of the age was 62 to 99. The number of those
between 62-69 was 3, 70-79 was 6, 80-89 was 4, over 90 was 2. 13 out of 15 were single.
The almost interviews were done at the day centre except 4 at their own houses. The
interview guide line was consisted of three essential theme : 1) How do you feel living here?
2) Would you tell me precisely about what is good/happy and what is problem/unhappy here?
3) What do you want most strongly living here now and from now on? Their profile, age,
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For successful aging in place in elderly housing: Factors influencing subjective well-being of the elderly housing residents of
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family type, period of the residence, the process of moving into the elderly housing was asked.
Whole contents of interview were recorded by a recorder and wrote down into text data for
following analyses.
The reason for taking grounded theory analysis is that for the first, this research is dealing
with the transaction process between person and environment, for the next this is concerning
the human life and services, for the last the process of the life in elderly housing including
getting frail is examined. The concepts/categories analysed by grounded theory method were
used in coming questionnaire survey.
Questionnaire survey and correlation and regression analyses
Based on the results of qualitative interview, the structured format was made for quantitative
survey. Then, the questionnaire survey was done targeting the residents of elderly housing
and analysed.
Sample
The sample was recruited in two elderly housings. One is A-house in rural area where 33
older people live and the activity house with the leader and staffs was located nest to the
elderly housing. They got 21 reply including 11 incomplete fulfilment. The other one is B-
house of 150 residents in urban area which had the reception and inside restaurant. In A-
house, the staff of activity house promoted the residents to cooperate with the survey. In B-
house, the leader of the house reception asked all residents (150) for participation of the
survey, and got the result of 66 reply including 14 incomplete fulfilment.
Variables and Measurement
The questionnaires consist of the structured format using several well-evaluated measures
and of the results of earlier interview. The variables are shown in Table I.
Subjective well-being was measured by PGC (Philadelphia Geriatric Centre morale scale)
was used (Liang, 1987).
I – Variables used in quantitative survey
Behavioural competence
Socilal condition
Objective environment
(Housing)
Workshop: 3 The residential Context of Health
Author: Yoko Matsuoka
Physical functioning (16 items, yes-no)
ADL(3 items), IADL(5 items), intellectual
functioning (4 items), socialized role (4 items)
Presence of chronic disease(1 item, yes-no)
Presence of hospitalization(1 item, yes-no)
Telephone conversation with children/family(4
scale measure)
Good relationship with other residents (4 scale
measure)
Association in the community (4 scale measure)
Housing condition(14 items, yes-no)
Barrier-free, Privacy,
Place of association, inside/near restaurant,
Free arrangement of the house,
Emergency call,
Convenience of shopping/going out,
Self-contained house( own kitchen, own toilet, own
bath)
In-house staff in day time, in-house staff in night
time, in-house staff in midnight
Satisfaction with the housing
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For successful aging in place in elderly housing: Factors influencing subjective well-being of the elderly housing residents of
Denmark
Dependent
variable
Factors derived from the
interview
Subjective well-being
(Philadelphia Geriatric
Centre morale scale)
Profile
7 items (4 scale measure)
Confidence of residential continuation
(Confidence of aging in place)
Independence of daily life
Independent attitude from medical care
Security feeling at emergency
Extroversion and action of getting out/meeting
someone
Independence from children/family
Well-known environment
12 items(4 scale measure)
Things keep getting worse as I get older.
I have as much pep as I had last year.
I feel lonely a lot.
Little things bother me more this year.
I am as happy now as I was when I was younger.
As you get older, you are less useful.
I sometimes worry so much that I can’t sleep.
I sometimes feel that life isn’t worth living.
I am satisfied with my life today.
I have a lot to be sad about.
I take things hard.
I get upset easily.
Age, sex, family, economic condition, marital
status, use of technical aid
Analyses
At first, correlations and regression analyses (compulsory method) of relationships among
age and economic condition and behavioural competence with subjective well-being was done
because the previous research has shown that these three factors have strong effect on
subjective well-being. At the next step, 3 social condition items were investigated under
controlling correlations. For the final stage, correlations and regression analyses of
relationships among satisfaction with the house and the factors derived from interview with
subjective well-being was done. The coefficients, the R2, and the overall F for each step were
examined to determine the significance of each step. Multi-variable compulsory regression
analyses, using p < .01 and p < .05 and p < .1 as the entrance and removal criterion,
respectively, were conducted with regression. All analyses were conducted in SPSS 14.0.
4. Results of the qualitative survey
Derived concepts and categories
Several concepts which are assumed to be factors influencing subjective well-being of the
residents were derived through the analyses of interview survey. The category was described
in italic and the concepts are marked with < --- >.
Extroversion and actions of getting out/meeting someone
Many residents emphasized, at first, the importance of action of getting out of house and
meeting someone and eating together and talking every day/frequently.
“I like feeling of freedom of activity house. I can decide
freely whether I will go or not.”
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For successful aging in place in elderly housing: Factors influencing subjective well-being of the elderly housing residents of
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“The activity house is quite open for everyone. So, I can invite
and take lunch with my family or my friends. ”
“There is great possibility for everything here. I
can do anything here on my wheelchair if I want”
Feeling of security
Second frequent concept was feeling of security. Security feeling in emergency, security
feeling of near location from care station in day center, security feeling of presence of
someone around them was derived.
”Now, I feel secure. In my previous house, I was left alone
til the morning after falling down from bed.”
< Security feeling of near location from care station> “The home-nurse station is very near
from here. This location makes me feel secure so much.” “It is safe and secure that I live
very near from care station. As I am getting old, troubles are near from me as well!”
< Security feeling of presence of someone> “I have lived in my previous house alone where
was in very rural area. I felt lonely and unsecured. But now, I feel quite secure here.”
Well-known people and environment
Almost residents have moved in the same municipality. This means that they can keep
familiar human relationships and well-known environment.
“I have utilized this activity house before moving and loved it so much.”
“The shop where I buy everyday and the fiend whom I have good relationship is same as
before.”
“My neighbor who lived very close to me also lives here.”
Confidence of residential continuation ( Trust on possibility of aging in pace)
Almost residents want to live here till the end of life. At the same time they looked like to
have some confidence that they can live there without removing to nursing homes even they
got physically/mentally frail so much.
“I am so satisfied with everything here. So I want to live here till the end of life.”
“Even I am dying, I do not want to enter a nursing home(Plejehjem).”
“I have seen inside of nursing home, and found that the residents were so weak and just
sitting in chair. Nursing home are not the place I want to live.”
“I can get several times visit of home nurses/helpers to my
house as I got weaker and weaker. Many persons living here got a lot of help according their
condition.”
Independence of daily life
Independence of daily life mean that the elderly can do almost everything for daily life, such
as shopping, cocking, cleaning, washing and taking a walk and so on. This was quite
meaningful for their quality of life. This factor composes a important value of life.
“I feel so satisfied with that I can do almost everything by my self even though I am getting
more and more old and frail ”
“I can cock by my self. My best satisfaction is that I investigate my children to my house
and cock for them and take it together. This is the happiest time.”
Satisfaction with the house
Not less residents told about the satisfaction with the house at first in the interview. The
aspect of satisfaction they pointed out was concerning with comfort of the house but rather
independent life. The category of satisfaction with the house consisted of three concepts.
“I feel so delighted with that I live in independent house for
my own. This means that I can do everything same as before. ” “I feel satisfied with the fact
that I have my own (rental) house which I can manage any way as I like ” “I have my own
apartment!”
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For successful aging in place in elderly housing: Factors influencing subjective well-being of the elderly housing residents of
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“The toilet is so wide that I can excrete by my
self on the wheelchair.” “My house has a toilet next to entrance. This layout is quite
convenient and helpful for my independent life because I can use it immediately in getting
back from outside.”
“I like shopping very much. Here, the
shopping place is very near from here. I loved it.” “The house is in the town and the shops
are so near from here. I think that the shopping is a daily rehabilitation for me and enjoy it.”
Independent attitude from medical care
They seldom pointed out the importance of medical care. This means they do not mind the
need of medical care respectively. This category was found out through comparative research
work with Japan.
5. Results of the quantitative survey (N=62)
Descriptive statistics
The reception leader of B-house asked 150 residents for participation of the survey, and got
66 reply including 14 incomplete fulfilment. In the A-house, the staff of activity house got 21
reply from 33 residents including 11 incomplete fulfilment.
Profile
The distribution of the age was 60 to 100 (M=79.97, SD=8.957). The female was 50 (80.0%),
and the male was 12 (20.0%). The family status was single 63.9%, with husband/wife 23.0%,
other 1.6%. The economic condition was good 63.9%, rather good 36.1%, bad 0%. The
condition of use of technical aids was: none is 39.3%, stick user is 23.0, walker user is 40.2%,
wheelchair user is 4.9%, hospital bed user is 1.6%.
Behavioral competence
The distribution of the behavioral competence was 0 to 16 (full marks is 16, M=3.73,
SD=4.661).
Social relationship and interaction
87.1% had children, and other had none.
II. How often do you talk with children by phone? (%)
Everyday Several times Several times Several none No
a week a month times a year
children
Denmark 16.4 55.7 13.1 0 1.6 13.1
III. Do you have friends you in your elderly housing? (%)
Yes A few few none
Denmark 68.9 24.6 3.3 3.3
IX. Do you have persons you chat with in the community? (%)
Yes A few few none
Denmark 58.3 36.7 3.3 1.7
Satisfaction with the house and with whole life
X. Are you satisfied with the house? And with your whole life? (%)
Satisfied Satisfied on Unsatisfied on unsatisfied
balance
balance
Satisfaction
96.8 3.2 0 0
with the house
Satisfaction
79.0 19.4 1.6 0
with whole life
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For successful aging in place in elderly housing: Factors influencing subjective well-being of the elderly housing residents of
Denmark
Subjective well-being (PGC morale scale)
The result of subjective well-being is shown in table XI.
The full marks is 24 points. The distribution of the score was 1 to 22 (M=13.0, SD=5.28).
The most frequent marks was 10 points (7 persons), next is 17points (6 persons). This score
is useful for following correlation analyses.
The reply of each questionnaire was as below.
XI. Subjective well-being (PGC morale scale)
Questionnaire yes Yes on No on no
balance balance
1 Things keep getting worse as I get older. 28.3 20.0 26.7 23.3
2 I have as much pep as I had last year. 44.3 31.1 13.1 9.8
3 I feel lonely a lot. 20.0 11.7 18.3 46.7
4 Little things bother me more this year. 11.5 3.3 230. 54.1
5 I am as happy now as I was when I was younger. 23.0 31.1 21.3 23.0
6 As you get older, you are less useful. 6.6 16.4 19.7 57.4
7 I sometimes worry so much that I can’t sleep. 11.5 18.0 19.7 49.2
8 I sometimes feel that life isn’t worth living. 3.3 8.2 11.5 75.4
9 I am satisfied with my life today. 65.6 27.9 1.6 4.9
10 I have a lot to be sad about. 4.9 29.5 23.0 42.6
11 I take things hard. 44.3 26.2 13.1 13.1
12 I get upset easily. 18.3 33.3 21.7 26.7
Factors derived from the interview
The result of factors derived from the interview is shown in table XII
XII. Factors derived from the interview (%)
Questionnaire Yes Rather Rather No
yes no
1) I want to live here till the end of life. 88.7 6.5 3.2 0
2) I am anxious about whether I can stay here when I 19.4 25.8 9.7 30.6
became so frail.
3) I try to get out the house and make myself extrovert. 66.1 14.5 12.9 6.5
4)There is the day I do not talk any body. 21.0 19.4 14.5 45.2
5) I feel security here I can get immediate help here. 82.3 17.7 0 0
6) I feel it worth living that I can manage
80.6 17.7 0 0
every day life by myself.
7) The place I live now is my well-known place from 46.8 8.1 6.5 32.3
long time ago.
8) I think that the security of one’s old age is baced on 29.0 25.8 27.4 12.9
medical care.
9) To tell the truth, I want to live with my children. 6.5 4.5 17.7 66.1
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For successful aging in place in elderly housing: Factors influencing subjective well-being of the elderly housing residents of
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Correlation and regression analyses
Simple correlation
Simple correlation among each factors with subjective well-being is shown in most right
column in table XIII . Age and economic condition shows significantly effective relation with
well-being as previous research has pointed out. The relationship with children, frequency of
talk on phone, was not associated positively with well-being. Through simple correlation, the
strongest factor for subjective well-being is independent attitude from medical care and
security feeling for aging in place and age. The second group is association with other
residents in the house and in the community and conversation with some by getting out of the
house.
But, we got next results through regression analyses by controlling influence each factors.
Multi-variable regression analyses
Multi-variable regression analyses, using p < .01, P < .05, P < .1 as the entrance and removal
criterion, showed the new results. Age or economic condition and behavioral competence
had not so important influence on subjective well-being, the less anxiety forward aging in
place was the most effective factor of subjective well-being. Satisfaction with the house and
extrovert attitude and actions and independent attitude from medical care were the key factor
of well-being.
XIII. Correlation among the factors with subjective well-being by regression (Denmark)
Factors Ist STEP 2 nd STEP 3 rd STEP Simple
Profile
and
physical
condition
Social
condition
Factors
derived
from
interview
correlation
age -.372*** -.324*** -.160 -.415**
Economic condition -.294** -.284** -.080 .273*
Behavioral competence -.178 -242* -.182 .286*
Relation with their children
.027 .056 .049
(frequency of phone)
Association with other
-.126 .107 -.348**
residents (friends)
Association in the community
-.083 -.107 -.364**
( chattering)
Satisfaction of the house -.288*** -.105
Anxiety for aging in place .380*** .425**
Self-efficacy of doing things
-.034 .151
by myself
Independent attitude from
.265** .438**
medical care
Feeling of security in
-.080 -.129
emergency
Extroversion and actions -276** -.255*
No conversation in day time 206* .355**
real wants to live with their
.000 .238*
children
R2 .529*** .625*** .643***
***.01 **.05 *.1
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For successful aging in place in elderly housing: Factors influencing subjective well-being of the elderly housing residents of
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6. Findings
High satisfaction with whole life especially with the house
The research has found out high satisfaction with whole life among Danish elderly housing
residents. They seldom expressed unsatisfied feeling with anything. Especially, satisfaction
with the house was significantly high.
1) High satisfaction with economic condition
Good income condition is regarded as important factor for good life in old age. The author
recognized that almost two out of three were satisfied with their income more or less and none
have unsatisfied feeling. But this factor does not has significant influence on well-being.
2) Good relationship with their children and the residents and in the community
16.4% are talking with their children everyday by phone, and 56% do this several times a
week. They do not live together, but keep good relationship by talking and visiting frequently.
The reason why they keep good relationship may come from living separately. Good
relationship with the residents and the people in the community were found out as feature of
Danish elderly residents in elderly housing.
3) Significantly high satisfaction with the housing condition
96.8% (almost 100%) are satisfied with the housing condition. Relatively, the figure of this
in Japan was 52.0 % in same survey. And this satisfaction relate significantly and positively
to high well-being .
Dearest wish for aging in place and less anxiety over it
Generally speaking, most elderly want to age in place (Lawton, 1985; Ivry, 1995; Ball
2004). This survey revealed that especially Danish older people have strong tendency of this
wish. At the same time, they believe possibility of aging in place by utilizing communitybased
24 hours care. The reason why they believe in their own aging in place can be assumed
to come from complete community-based 24 hours care system in each municipalities.
Interestingly to say, this factor related to subjective well-being most strongly.
Strongest factors influencing subjective well-being
The correlation and regression analyses found out less anxiety about aging in place
(possibility of residential continuation) as the most strong factor influencing subjective wellbeing,
and satisfaction with the house, extroversions and actions and independent attitude
from medical care as send strongest. As the quantitative survey made clear, satisfaction with
the house contains three concepts, mastery feeling of the house, the supportive layout for
independent life, convenient location to help independent life.
7. Discussion
This study profiled the factors influencing subjective well-being of elderly housing residents
of Denmark which is one the most well secured welfare society. What the findings suggest is
demonstrated in three as below.
Active factor vs passive factor : Not antinomy but hierarchical approach
The author has focused on active aspect of Danish older people and taken the methodology of
dualism following the concept of “Elderly as living human independently” which was
reported by “Ældre Kommissionen” in 1980. This study, however, showed that Danish
elderly feel satisfied and high well-being with secured condition with round-clock
community-based care and their living environment. Activeness and security is not antinomy
that they are contradicting each other but have a hierarchical construction. Actually, selfefficacy
of doing things by myself (activeness) have slight positive correlation ( r = .222, P <
01) with less anxiety about aging in place. They can be active with feeling security.
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For successful aging in place in elderly housing: Factors influencing subjective well-being of the elderly housing residents of
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Each municipalities in Denmark provide community-based care to 25% of the elderly 65
years over. Community-based care and other resources which enhance secured satisfaction
are essential for aging in place. The environment that they can enjoy meaningful activity and
taking meal easily and closely is very important for good life.
Satisfaction with the house for living independently
Satisfaction with the house was remarkably high and had significant relation with subjective
well-being. As noteworthy point, the contents was suggestive and meaningful. The quality
of elderly housing has been measured physically, such as temperature, noise level, kitchen
equipment, light, plumbing fixture, maintenance service, and common area from the point of
comfort. The residents, however, pointed out layout of the house, near location from town
and so son from the point of independent life. The view point of independent life must be
considered additionally and originally.
Almost elderly moved from inside of the municipality. Sufficient amount of elderly housing
makes continuance of life in old age possible. For instance, elderly housings for more than
5% of the elderly 65 years over, in some municipalities around 7%, support aging in place in
each municipalities. The adequate amount of elderly housing with small scale and building
planning in municipality is needed worldwide.
Not children, but society.
This survey found out that the residents have frequent contact with their children by talking
on phone or visiting. Unexpectedly, however, this has no effect on subjective well-being.
Almost Danish older people live separately from their children. The survey, however, found
out that a few (11% including yes on balance) want to live together. This had negative
relation with subjective well-being. Independent life style even in old age is popular
physically and mentally in Denmark For instance, in Japan, household living with children is
46.5% of whole household of 65 years old over. 25.4% is with married couple and 21.1% is
with single children (mhwl, 2006). In this phenomenon, children depend parents to get high
education and so on, parents expect to get help of personal care from children in the future.
There seem to be no/less co-dependent relationship between parent and child generation in
Denmark.
Survey also revealed that Danish older people have good association with the residents and in
the community, and this have significant and positive relation with well-being. On the other
hand, surprisingly, 40% (including on balance) replied that they have the day when they do
not talk with anyone. This tendency influenced well-being negatively. The fact that there is
not few persons left lonely in welfare society must be considered.
Not own children, but society. This concept is quite suggestive not only in the meaning of
individual matter (subjective well-being) but also in the meaning of development of social
resources in the community.
Limitations
This research showed new factors for successful aging in place. But the sample scale was
too small to develop more investigative analyses and to get significant result. Partly the
author was forced to use p < .1 as the entrance and removal criterion. And elderly housing
where the participants lived is the one non-profit organization managed. The more
participants in ordinary elderly housing will be needed.
Workshop: 3 The residential Context of Health
Author: Yoko Matsuoka
11

For successful aging in place in elderly housing: Factors influencing subjective well-being of the elderly housing residents of
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Workshop: 3 The residential Context of Health
Author: Yoko Matsuoka
12