The Environment for Aging

Interpersonal, Social, and Spatial Contexts

Nonfiction, Social & Cultural Studies, Social Science, Gerontology
Cover of the book The Environment for Aging by Russell A. Ward, Susan R. Sherman, Mark La Gory, University of Alabama Press
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Russell A. Ward, Susan R. Sherman, Mark La Gory ISBN: 9780817390600
Publisher: University of Alabama Press Publication: November 22, 2015
Imprint: University Alabama Press Language: English
Author: Russell A. Ward, Susan R. Sherman, Mark La Gory
ISBN: 9780817390600
Publisher: University of Alabama Press
Publication: November 22, 2015
Imprint: University Alabama Press
Language: English

The nature and consequences of aging depend on its environmental context, and the literature does not treat the various environmental dimensions in an integrated fashion. The authors introduce a general approach to the human ecosystem, highlighting theoretical and empirical issues necessary to an understanding of person-environment interaction related to aging. They then investigate in detail three aspects of the environment of older persons: residential and neighborhood, interpersonal support networks, and age-related attitudes. They give specific attention to the impact of the age composition of neighborhoods and interpersonal networks. The authors present findings from their interview survey of 1,185 community residents aged 60 and over. Major findings from the interviews include:

  1. Despite objective neighborhood problems, older persons express high neighborhood satisfaction. This partly reflects limited residential options, as well as a passive and vicarious spatial experience. The environment is experienced in diverse ways; however, urbanism and personal competence shape the nature and outcomes of person-environment interaction.
  2. Older persons have relatively robust interpersonal support networks. Perceived sufficiency of contact and support are more salient to morale than are more objective measures of interpersonal support.
  3. Although attitudes toward other older people are generally favorable, patterns of age identity reflect a detrimental view of aging. There is little evidence that socialization for aging or age-group solidarity make aging “easier” in this regard.
  4. Older persons exhibit moderate age homogeneity within their interpersonal networks, partly reflecting neighborhood age concentration. Contrary to the apparent benefits of planned age-segregated housing, age homogeneity in neighborhoods and networks does not contribute to well-being.

The authors examine three major themes in their concluding chapter; age itself does not “loom large” in the lives of these community residents, though age becomes salient under certain conditions; there is diversity in the implications of the environmental context for aging, in particular reflecting an “environmental docility” hypothesis; and aging must be viewed in interactional or transactional terms—older people “construct” the environment as a subjective entity.
 

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

The nature and consequences of aging depend on its environmental context, and the literature does not treat the various environmental dimensions in an integrated fashion. The authors introduce a general approach to the human ecosystem, highlighting theoretical and empirical issues necessary to an understanding of person-environment interaction related to aging. They then investigate in detail three aspects of the environment of older persons: residential and neighborhood, interpersonal support networks, and age-related attitudes. They give specific attention to the impact of the age composition of neighborhoods and interpersonal networks. The authors present findings from their interview survey of 1,185 community residents aged 60 and over. Major findings from the interviews include:

  1. Despite objective neighborhood problems, older persons express high neighborhood satisfaction. This partly reflects limited residential options, as well as a passive and vicarious spatial experience. The environment is experienced in diverse ways; however, urbanism and personal competence shape the nature and outcomes of person-environment interaction.
  2. Older persons have relatively robust interpersonal support networks. Perceived sufficiency of contact and support are more salient to morale than are more objective measures of interpersonal support.
  3. Although attitudes toward other older people are generally favorable, patterns of age identity reflect a detrimental view of aging. There is little evidence that socialization for aging or age-group solidarity make aging “easier” in this regard.
  4. Older persons exhibit moderate age homogeneity within their interpersonal networks, partly reflecting neighborhood age concentration. Contrary to the apparent benefits of planned age-segregated housing, age homogeneity in neighborhoods and networks does not contribute to well-being.

The authors examine three major themes in their concluding chapter; age itself does not “loom large” in the lives of these community residents, though age becomes salient under certain conditions; there is diversity in the implications of the environmental context for aging, in particular reflecting an “environmental docility” hypothesis; and aging must be viewed in interactional or transactional terms—older people “construct” the environment as a subjective entity.
 

More books from University of Alabama Press

Cover of the book Memoir of My Youth in Cuba by Russell A. Ward, Susan R. Sherman, Mark La Gory
Cover of the book Recollections of War Times by Russell A. Ward, Susan R. Sherman, Mark La Gory
Cover of the book Fat Girl, Terrestrial by Russell A. Ward, Susan R. Sherman, Mark La Gory
Cover of the book Essays in Jewish Thought by Russell A. Ward, Susan R. Sherman, Mark La Gory
Cover of the book The Aborigines of Puerto Rico and Neighboring Islands by Russell A. Ward, Susan R. Sherman, Mark La Gory
Cover of the book Nancy Batson Crews by Russell A. Ward, Susan R. Sherman, Mark La Gory
Cover of the book Alabama's Civil Rights Trail by Russell A. Ward, Susan R. Sherman, Mark La Gory
Cover of the book Mississippian Polity and Politics on the Gulf Coastal Plain by Russell A. Ward, Susan R. Sherman, Mark La Gory
Cover of the book Paths to a Middle Ground by Russell A. Ward, Susan R. Sherman, Mark La Gory
Cover of the book Martin Luther King Jr., Heroism, and African American Literature by Russell A. Ward, Susan R. Sherman, Mark La Gory
Cover of the book Schooling Readers by Russell A. Ward, Susan R. Sherman, Mark La Gory
Cover of the book Tried Men and True, or Union Life in Dixie by Russell A. Ward, Susan R. Sherman, Mark La Gory
Cover of the book José de Bustamante and Central American Independence by Russell A. Ward, Susan R. Sherman, Mark La Gory
Cover of the book Heart of Creation by Russell A. Ward, Susan R. Sherman, Mark La Gory
Cover of the book Show Us How You Do It by Russell A. Ward, Susan R. Sherman, Mark La Gory
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy