Aging in Place and Community Well-Being
Summary
Ageing in place refers to the capacity of older adults to live in their own homes and neighbourhoods with autonomy, safety and comfort as they age. This concept recognises the importance of familiar surroundings, established social networks and accessible local services in promoting physical health, psychological resilience and civic engagement. Community well-being encompasses the interplay of built environment design, social infrastructure and coordinated care that together support older residents’ functional abilities and quality of life. Policymakers and practitioners have shifted away from institutional long-term care towards community-based models that integrate universal design features, assistive technologies and preventative health measures. Key challenges include addressing inequalities in housing stock, ensuring mobility and transport options in rural and urban settings, and adapting to shifting demographic and socioeconomic landscapes. A holistic approach draws on gerontology, urban planning and public health to create inclusive, age-friendly communities that sustain intergenerational connections, reduce healthcare expenditure and foster a sense of belonging.
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Aging in Place and Community Well-Being publication trend
The graph below shows the total number of articles in aging in place and community well-being across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).
Technical terms
Ageing in place: The ability for individuals to remain living in their own home and community safely, independently and comfortably, regardless of age or ability level.
Perceived behavioural control: An individual’s assessment of their capacity to perform a given behaviour, influenced by personal abilities and external resources.
Conversion factors: Environmental or personal resources that transform an individual’s capabilities into actual functionings, as conceptualised in the capability approach.
Transactional perspective: A theoretical lens emphasising the dynamic interactions between individuals and their environments in everyday problem-solving.
References
- The impact of the residential environment on Chinese older people's aging-in-place intentions: A mediation and moderation analysis. Habitat International (2023).
- Ageing in place in a rural town in Aotearoa New Zealand: A Deweyan transactional perspective. Journal of Rural Studies (2024).
- Choosing between staying at home or moving: A systematic review of factors influencing housing decisions among frail older adults. PLOS ONE (2018).
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