Housing and the elderly

Abstract

Housing is an important dimension of lifestyle and quality of life for all sectors of the population. For older people, however, housing is more than mere shelter for it may exacerbate (or minimize) many of the social, physical or financial aspects of ageing. In this chapter we will look at various aspects of the relationship between housing and older people. Initially we describe the characteristics of the housing used by older people. This involves considering the quality of the housing inhabited by older people, their distribution within the housing market and other aspects of their housing including heating and difficulties experienced because of the physical design of the house. The second part of the chapter examines policies related to the housing of older people. This includes the analysis of the impact of general housing policy upon older people as well as the consideration of policy concerned only with older people. This section is dominated by a discussion of sheltered housing as this has been the dominant focus of housing policy for older people. The chapter concludes with a review of recent initiatives in housing for older people, especially the development of private sheltered housing and community alarm systems.