Housing: The Diverse Aged (Social and Cultural Contexts of Aging Project)

摘要

Circumstances, problems, and needs for housing of the elderly are examined and analyzed using data collected in a 1973-74 survey of 1,269 older black, Mexican-American, and white Los Angeles residents. The manner in which these circumstances interface with government programs and policies is explained. The study deals with the elderly as a diverse group whose housing needs encompass the individual's life-style and cultural background in addition to basic shelter. The major findings include: (1) Housing is a serious problem for many older persons, specifically with respect to costs, home repairs, and neighborhood crime; (2) Higher percentages of elderly minority persons reported housing problems than whites; (3) Older persons living with their children experience a greater incidence of housing problems than those in any other living arrangement; (4) Older persons would prefer to repair their present housing than to relocate; and (5) More older persons indicated a preference for living in age-integrated settings than in age-segregated environments. This report seeks to aid future planning efforts involved in housing issues affecting our diverse elderly population.