Housing and Characteristics of Independent Elderly: A Demographic Overview. (RE-ANNOUNCEMENT of PB85-126928-see notes field for explanation)

摘要

This paper reviews the characteristics of the elderly who live alone and their immediate physical surroundings -- the housing unit itself. Data bearing upon profiles for the independent elderly cover demographic characteristics, social and economic characteristics, regional characteristics, and health characteristics. Data on housing profiles for the independent elderly address multiple indicators of housing adequacy such as size, condition, and inferred maintenance costs of the dwelling units. Although data are presented on the characteristics and housing of the independent elderly, the inadequacies of current understanding of the reciprocal relationship between older people and their environment prevent the development of concrete policy recommendations. However, topics for policy consideration are offered; including the availablility of current support systems to the elderly and whether proposed programs alter or supplement established patterns of assistance and the identification of limits to the feasibility, appropriateness, or cost of programs designed to maintain older persons in an independent lifestyle. Additional topics considered are determinating the complete range of implications associated with a system of cash awards for housing paid directly to the elderly, determinating the benefits of neighborhood revitalization to the elderly, and determining whether the elderly in rural areas are as well served by a proposed program as those in urban areas.