Abstract
Social activities are an important aspect of health and quality of life of the aging population. They are key elements in the prevention of loneliness. In order to create living environments that stimulate older adults to engage in social activities, more insight is needed in the social activity patterns of the aging population. This study therefore analyzes the heterogeneity in older adults’ preferences for different social activity location types and the relationship between these preferences and personal and mobility characteristics. This is done using a latent class multinomial logit model based on two-day diary data collected in 2014 in Noord-Limburg in the Netherlands among 213 respondents aged 65 or over. The results show that three latent classes can be identified among the respondents who recorded social activities in the diary: a group that mainly socializes at home, a group that mainly socializes at a community center and a group that is more likely to socialize at public ‘third’ places. The respondents who did not record any interactions during the two days, are considered as a separate segment. Relationships between segment membership and personal and mobility characteristics were tested using cross-tabulations with chi-square tests and analyses of variance. The results suggest that both personal and mobility characteristics play an important role in social activity patterns of older adults.
Highlights
The ageing of the population poses challenges for urban and transport planners to create living environments that support older adults’ health and quality of life. This implies that opportunities for social contacts should be created that are accessible for older adults
A lack of social participation may result in social isolation and loneliness, which may cause a reduction in physically activity, and both mental and physical health (British Columbia, 2014 [4])
Recognizing the importance of social activities for preventing loneliness and stimulating mental and physical health of senior citizens, this study has examined the heterogeneity in their choices for social activity location types
Summary
The ageing of the population poses challenges for urban and transport planners to create living environments that support older adults’ health and quality of life. This implies that opportunities for social contacts should be created that are accessible for older adults. The number of local facilities is decreasing due to increasing mobility, regionalization, Internet-use, and demographic decline in certain areas (e.g., Oldenburg, 1989 [1]; Hickman, 2013 [2]; CBS, 2015 [3]) This may have negative outcomes for the social participation of older adults and their quality of life. Creating environments that support social participation of the ageing population is an important challenge for urban and transport planners
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary 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 callMore From: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
