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Centre for Policy on Ageing | |
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| The physical environment as a determinant of the health status of older populations | | Author(s) | Kathy M Shipp, Laurence G Branch |
| Journal title | Canadian Journal on Aging, vol 18, no 3, Fall 1999 |
| Pages | pp 313-327 |
| Keywords | Health [elderly] ; Mobility ; Sheltered housing ; Care homes ; Architectural design ; Canada. |
| Annotation | The physical environment as one determinant of health is a topic that could be approached in many ways. This study focused on how the immediate living environment can act as a persuasive force affecting physical activity level in older people, with physical activity in turn affecting health status. The methods and findings of a literature search are described; the underpinnings of the study hypothesis are presented; and an example is given of how a planned environment, which upon first glance seems supportive, may have unexpected and negative consequences on the activity level, and ultimately the health status, of the residents. Theory related to changes with ageing in homeostatic capacity and reserve capacity of organ systems, as well as Lawton's environmental press-competence model are applied to environmental characteristics (e.g., staircases) of continuing care communities. The authors argue that physically challenging aspects of the environment, such as stairs, should be included in the design of living spaces for older people with the goal of encouraging greater daily physical activity and health status. (AKM). |
| Accession Number | CPA-000121224 A |
| Classmark | CC: C4: KLA: KW: YB3: 7S |
Data © Centre for Policy on Ageing |
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| ...from the Ageinfo database published by Centre for Policy on Ageing. |
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