Mira Ahn

Housing Satisfaction of Older (55+) Single-Person Householders in U.S. Rural Communities

This study aims to understand the housing satisfaction of older (55+) single-person householders in U.S. rural communities using the available variables from a secondary data set, the 2011 American Housing Survey (AHS). In this study, housing satisfaction was considered to be an indicator of quality of life. Based on previous studies, we developed a model to test a hypothesized relationship between older (55+) single-person householders’ (N = 1,017) housing satisfaction and their personal, physical, financial, and environmental characteristics. Multiple regression results showed that the model was supported, indicating that significant variables in housing satisfaction include age, gender, health status, age of house, structure type, and unit location. Among the significant variables, health status was revealed to be the strongest factor in housing satisfaction. Housing satisfaction was discussed as potential indicators of quality of life.

Perceived Aspects of Home Environment and Home Modifications by Older People Living in Rural Areas

This study investigated the relationships between the “perceived aspects” of current home environment of elderly people living in rural areas and their home modification behavior. To investigate this perception, home satisfaction, perception of home capability, and home safety were used as perceived aspects of the home. Data were collected by a questionnaire. The response rate was 43.1%, with 317 eligible questionnaires. The results from this study indicate that there was no significant difference in perceived aspects of home environment between those who modified their homes and those who did not. Regardless of their current home conditions, most elderly respondents (75%) showed high home satisfaction. Results from this study suggest that a modified home environment does not necessarily contribute to an older persons perception of perceived aspects of their home environment.

U.S. Baby Boomers’ Desire to Age in Place and Residential Satisfaction

This study examines the relationships between U.S. baby boomers’ desire to age in place and residential satisfaction with their housing unit, neighborhood, and access to services. An online survey was conducted and 403 valid responses were obtained. Respondents who had higher residential satisfaction with their housing unit and neighborhood were more likely to desire to age in place. However, satisfaction with access to services was not significantly related to desire to age in place. Results of the study suggest that housing practitioners and policy makers should consider offering services and implementing policies to support baby boomers’ desire to age in place.

Supporting Aging-in-Place Well: Findings From a Cluster Analysis of the Reasons for Aging-in-Place and Perceptions of Well-Being:

Prior research on gerontology and housing has frequently adopted a perspective that aging-in-place is the “goal.” Despite these meaningful results and policy implications, opportunities to explore consequences of aging-in-place, such as the association of this with overall well-being, have been overlooked. This study aims to fill this gap by investigating perceptions of well-being that could act as a driver or result of aging-in-place. With a nationwide random sample of non-Hispanic White, older individuals (60+), living in their homes (N = 328), three segments of senior residents based on their reasons for aging-in-place were identified. Results reinforce the importance of community-based integrative programs and policies by indicating that the three identified clusters were not homogeneous; however, inclusive community-based supports and services can provide what each cluster needs to successfully age-in-place. Discussion provides a perspective on how to support successful aging-in-place, including the role of the federal government in funding and legislation.

Introduction to special issue: aging in place

In his recent book Aging in the Right Place, Golant (2015) questioned whether the place we want to stay as long as possible is the right place. Scharlach and Diaz Moore (2016) revisited the questio...

Zero-energy home development in Korea: energy-efficient and environmentally friendly design features and future directions

Zero-energy houses, one of the progressive types of energy-efficient homes, theoretically consume no energy for heating, cooling, or other daily activities. The purposes of this research were to identify representative experimental housing projects in South Korea and analyze their major features in terms of energy efficiency and environmental friendliness. This study used case studies consisting of two zero-energy experimental houses and one occupied zero-energy neighborhood. This study found that efforts have been made to build zero-energy homes in Korea. The study also found renewable energy systems such as solar and geothermal systems have been applied in zero-energy houses in Korea. The study discusses future research needs focusing on post-occupancy evaluations that should involve current residents to maintain energy-efficient housing performance. In addition, a holistic strategy to embrace design, development, and maintenance aspects of zero-energy houses should be established to promote this energy-efficient and environmental-friendly housing option for diverse resident groups.