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Adaptive Strategies and Person-Environment Fit among Functionally Limited Older Adults Aging in Place: A Mixed Methods Approach.

Lien, Laura L ; Steggell, Carmen D and Iwarsson, Susanne LU (2015) In International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 12(9). p.11954-11974
Abstract
Older adults prefer to age in place, necessitating a match between person and environment, or person-environment (P-E) fit. In occupational therapy practice, home modifications can support independence, but more knowledge is needed to optimize interventions targeting the housing situation of older adults. In response, this study aimed to explore the accessibility and usability of the home environment to further understand adaptive environmental behaviors. Mixed methods data were collected using objective and perceived indicators of P-E fit among 12 older adults living in community-dwelling housing. Quantitative data described objective P-E fit in terms of accessibility, while qualitative data explored perceived P-E fit in terms of... (More)
Older adults prefer to age in place, necessitating a match between person and environment, or person-environment (P-E) fit. In occupational therapy practice, home modifications can support independence, but more knowledge is needed to optimize interventions targeting the housing situation of older adults. In response, this study aimed to explore the accessibility and usability of the home environment to further understand adaptive environmental behaviors. Mixed methods data were collected using objective and perceived indicators of P-E fit among 12 older adults living in community-dwelling housing. Quantitative data described objective P-E fit in terms of accessibility, while qualitative data explored perceived P-E fit in terms of usability. While accessibility problems were prevalent, participants' perceptions of usability revealed a range of adaptive environmental behaviors employed to meet functional needs. A closer examination of the P-E interaction suggests that objective accessibility does not always stipulate perceived usability, which appears to be malleable with age, self-perception, and functional competency. Findings stress the importance of evaluating both objective and perceived indicators of P-E fit to provide housing interventions that support independence. Further exploration of adaptive processes in older age may serve to deepen our understanding of both P-E fit frameworks and theoretical models of aging well. (Less)
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type
Contribution to journal
publication status
published
subject
in
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
volume
12
issue
9
pages
11954 - 11974
publisher
MDPI AG
external identifiers
  • pmid:26404352
  • wos:000361889100093
  • scopus:84942246660
  • pmid:26404352
ISSN
1660-4601
DOI
10.3390/ijerph120911954
language
English
LU publication?
yes
id
553eca45-dec0-4341-88e4-7fa0b0465b3c (old id 8035026)
alternative location
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26404352?dopt=Abstract
date added to LUP
2016-04-01 10:27:18
date last changed
2022-04-12 06:22:39
@article{553eca45-dec0-4341-88e4-7fa0b0465b3c,
  abstract     = {{Older adults prefer to age in place, necessitating a match between person and environment, or person-environment (P-E) fit. In occupational therapy practice, home modifications can support independence, but more knowledge is needed to optimize interventions targeting the housing situation of older adults. In response, this study aimed to explore the accessibility and usability of the home environment to further understand adaptive environmental behaviors. Mixed methods data were collected using objective and perceived indicators of P-E fit among 12 older adults living in community-dwelling housing. Quantitative data described objective P-E fit in terms of accessibility, while qualitative data explored perceived P-E fit in terms of usability. While accessibility problems were prevalent, participants' perceptions of usability revealed a range of adaptive environmental behaviors employed to meet functional needs. A closer examination of the P-E interaction suggests that objective accessibility does not always stipulate perceived usability, which appears to be malleable with age, self-perception, and functional competency. Findings stress the importance of evaluating both objective and perceived indicators of P-E fit to provide housing interventions that support independence. Further exploration of adaptive processes in older age may serve to deepen our understanding of both P-E fit frameworks and theoretical models of aging well.}},
  author       = {{Lien, Laura L and Steggell, Carmen D and Iwarsson, Susanne}},
  issn         = {{1660-4601}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  number       = {{9}},
  pages        = {{11954--11974}},
  publisher    = {{MDPI AG}},
  series       = {{International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health}},
  title        = {{Adaptive Strategies and Person-Environment Fit among Functionally Limited Older Adults Aging in Place: A Mixed Methods Approach.}},
  url          = {{https://lup.lub.lu.se/search/files/1858553/8851975.pdf}},
  doi          = {{10.3390/ijerph120911954}},
  volume       = {{12}},
  year         = {{2015}},
}