Pekkonen, M; Turunen, M and Haverinen-Shaughnessy, U (2018) Housing quality perceptions in Finland: The elderly population. Building Research & Information, 46(4), pp. 417-429. ISSN 0961-3218
Abstract
Housing and health issues can vary over time and between populations. The elderly population is increasing worldwide. Yet only limited information exists about housing conditions: changes over time, and the relationships between health and safety among the elderly. Based on repeated surveys (2007 and 2011), housing and health issues in Finland were assessed, especially among the elderly (more than 65 years old). From various housing factors studied, the largest differences between surveys were in thermal comfort. From the six outcomes studied - satisfaction with the dwelling, maintenance, indoor air quality (IAQ), perceived safety, general health, and sleeping difficulties - only satisfaction with the dwelling had significant temporal variation. Modelling the outcomes led to a selection of variables that were significantly associated with the outcomes. The models' sensitivity was 65-81% for perceived safety and satisfaction with the dwelling, maintenance, and IAQ, whereas it was only 5% for sleeping difficulties and 32% for general health status. Among the elderly, higher odds ratios (ORs) were found for the associations between housing satisfaction and non-elevated radon concentrations, accessibility, dwelling size, and stuffy odour, as compared with the total population sample. The results are useful for developing policies that increase wellbeing, and for building owners wishing to increase housing satisfaction among occupants.;Housing and health issues can vary over time and between populations. The elderly population is increasing worldwide. Yet only limited information exists about housing conditions: changes over time, and the relationships between health and safety among the elderly. Based on repeated surveys (2007 and 2011), housing and health issues in Finland were assessed, especially among the elderly (more than 65 years old). From various housing factors studied, the largest differences between surveys were in thermal comfort. From the six outcomes studied - satisfaction with the dwelling, maintenance, indoor air quality (IAQ), perceived safety, general health, and sleeping difficulties - only satisfaction with the dwelling had significant temporal variation. Modelling the outcomes led to a selection of variables that were significantly associated with the outcomes. The models' sensitivity was 65-81% for perceived safety and satisfaction with the dwelling, maintenance, and IAQ, whereas it was only 5% for sleeping difficulties and 32% for general health status. Among the elderly, higher odds ratios (ORs) were found for the associations between housing satisfaction and non-elevated radon concentrations, accessibility, dwelling size, and stuffy odour, as compared with the total population sample. The results are useful for developing policies that increase wellbeing, and for building owners wishing to increase housing satisfaction among occupants.;
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | elderly; wellbeing; facilities management; occupant satisfaction; housing policy; indoor environmental quality; health and safety; Elderly people; Thermal comfort; Health; Radon; Indoor environments; Air quality; Housing; Surveys; Older people; Safety; Temporal variations; Indoor air pollution; Odor; Indoor air quality; Geriatrics |
| Index terms: | air quality, housing satisfaction, radon, occupant satisfaction, thermal comfort, housing policy, indoor environmental quality, modelling, indoor air pollution, accessibility, elderly, satisfaction, owner, Finland, indoor environment, older people, well-being, temporal variation, indoor air quality, population, odour, facilities management, housing, health and safety, survey, geriatric |
| Subjects: | environmental hazards, environmental health, environmental engineering, sociology, demography, project controls, health safety and environment, Geography, public and environmental health, inclusive design, management, project delivery, analytical methods, environmental science, public policy, climate science, user-centered design, mental health and wellbeing, data collection methods, construction type |
| Topics: | Time Control, Design Practice, Urban Studies, Stakeholder Management, Construction Technology, Sustainability, Governance, Business Strategy, Health and Safety, Research Practice, Project Management, Geographical Context, Engineering Principles |
| Descriptive scope: | 3 PCE |
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