Abstract

As China has the largest number of elderly people in the world, the issue of the aged people has been a serious matter of concern in Chinese government and society and many studies have been done so far. However, the studies about the dwellings of the aged people that support their basic life are still insufficient. For this reason this study intends to identify the differences in elderly people's preferences according to their situations in aged life. This study surveyed 152 elderly residents aged 50 and over including early aged people in Beijing China about their residential preferences (types of residence, location of residence, size of residence, types of ownership) according to the four types of their situations in aged life, healthy couple, sick couple, healthy single and sick single. The survey conducted from 2013 April 10th to 15th. The results were as follows: Firstly, as the elderly situation became worse, preference for the independent residence decreased very rapidly while the preference for the elderly welfare facilities dramatically increased from the 0 point of the healthy couple and the preference for the elderly welfare facilities marked the highest point in case of the worst situation of sick single. Secondly, among the four different situations preferences for the urban residence were the highest and as the aged people's situation becomes worse, their preferences for urban life increased. Thirdly, healthy couple preferred a large size residence but as their elderly situation becomes worse, their preferences for the large size decreased and their preferences for small size increased dramatically, and in case of elderly singles, preferences for small size residence exceeded their preferences for large size residence. Fourthly, as elderly situation became worse preference for owning residence decreased and preference for rental residence increased and in case of the worst situation of sick single, preference for rental residence was higher than their preferences for their own residence. With this view of point, the residential preference of elderly people changes along with their aging situations. Thus, the government should consider the variable aging market, and develop a variety of aging residence which, can satisfy the different groups of elderly.

Full Text
Published version (Free)

Talk to us

Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have

Schedule a call