Demographic, financial, and independence factors affecting living environment choices

¶ … Living Environment Options

Guide: Variables Having an Impact on the Options of Individuals with Regard to Living Environments

Older adults require supportive and enabling environments. In addition to being safe and empowering, the said environments must also help in the elimination of ageism. It should be noted that in a way, the well-being of older adults is affected by their immediate living environments (Healy and Link, 2011). In this guide, a living environment will be used as a generic term indicating not only the physical place of residence but also the existing support networks in place.

Insurance and Financial Resources

To begin with, it is important to note that insurance does have a significant impact on the choice of living environments. For instance, while some health insurance programs cover most of the costs incurred in an assisted living facility, some plans do not have such provisions. As Wallace (2007) points out, some employers have been known to terminate the healthcare insurance of their employees once the said employees retire. It should however be noted that assisted living facility costs are covered by a majority of long-term care insurance policies. For this reason, the specific provisions of an individual's plan could have an impact on the living environment options available.

Financial resources also affect housing options which remain an important aspect of the lifestyle of the older adults. Depending on the available finances, options with regard to housing could include but they are not in any way limited to moving to a skilled nursing facility, moving in with relatives, or remaining in the current home. Yet another option in this case could be moving to a continuing-care retirement facility/community. Should finances (and other intervening factors) allow, older people could be allowed to continue living in their original homes from where the services of formal and/or informal caregivers could be sought in an attempt to further enhance the quality of life of the concerned individuals. It should however be noted that the preferences of older adults with regard to the living environment must not be ignored. Still on the financial front, it should be noted safety factors have assumed a central role especially with regard to the further enhancement of the general well-being of older adults. Lack of finances could lead to the deferment of home maintenance undertakings. In a way, "home safety concerns and deferred home maintenance often share a symbiotic relationship" (Cress 2007, p.284). When funds are insufficient, cheaper arrangements should be embraced.

When choices with regard to physical living environments of older adults extend beyond a single jurisdiction, some special considerations must be made. In some countries, savings, health benefits, disability insurance as well as pensions have been rendered almost worthless by hyperinflation. It should be noted that as is the case with other age groups, poverty has a negative impact on not only the lifestyle but also the physical well-being of older adults. For instance, in addition to exuberating social marginalization, poverty also affects the health and general well-being of those affected. It also effectively erodes the ability of senior citizens to function and live interdependently and independently. For an environmental choice to be regarded proper, it must have a positive impact on the quality of life of the individual concerned. To guarantee such an individual economic security in old age, the said environment (especially in those instances where the destination of choice happens to be outside the U.S.) must have in place pension or pension-equivalent systems that are adequate.

Cultural Beliefs, Traditions, and Religion

With regard to culture, there is a need to ensure that senior citizens are fully or partially involved in societal development. This way, their enjoyment of cultural life can be further enhanced in an attempt to make their lives even more fulfilling and enjoyable. Amongst other things, cultural beliefs and traditions may bring about housing preference differences. Hispanic seniors for instance, as Johnson (1999) points out, prefer living in multigenerational homes. This is in comparison to their Caucasian counterparts. As the author further points out, they are also more likely than their white counterparts to live in the community. They are hence "less likely to be institutionalized than white elderly" (Johnson 1999, p.38). There is therefore a need to take into consideration the cultural beliefs as well as traditions of the older adults before selecting a living environment. Options for living environments could also be affected by religion. Amongst older adults, religious affiliation remains a common organizational form. In those instances where the older adults have a desire to continue attending the same religious services, the most appropriate living environment would be their current homes. It should however be noted that in those instances where other living environments support their religious beliefs and affiliations, transfers could be appropriate especially when their current homes are no longer deemed appropriate living environments. Where the older adult is no longer active in matters religion but still retains his or her preferences, the said preferences should be taken into consideration. Religious participation is particularly important given that it does have a positive impact on the general well-being of older adults. Indeed, it has been found out that "older women who attend church at least once weekly had a better chance of survival" (Rosenfeld 2009, p.11).