This article was downloaded by: [New York University]

On: 14 October 2014, At: 14:29

Publisher: Routledge
Informa Ltd Registered in England and Wales Registered Number: 1072954 Registered office: Mortimer House,
37-41 Mortimer Street, London W1T 3JH, UK

Journal of Housing For the Elderly

Publication details, including instructions for authors and subscription information:
http://www.tandfonline.com/loi/wjhe20

Subjective Dimensions of Environmental Adaptation

Among the Elderly
a b c
Pierre Filion , Andrew Wister & Eliza J. Coblentz
a
Associate Professor, School of Urban and Regional Planning, University of Waterloo, Canada
b
Assistant Professor, Gerontology Research Center, Simon Fraser University, British
Columbia, Canada
c
Graduate Student, School of Urban and Regional Planning, University of Waterloo, Canada
Published online: 18 Oct 2010.

To cite this article: Pierre Filion , Andrew Wister & Eliza J. Coblentz (1993) Subjective Dimensions of Environmental
Adaptation Among the Elderly, Journal of Housing For the Elderly, 10:1-2, 3-32, DOI: 10.1300/J081v10n01_02

To link to this article: http://dx.doi.org/10.1300/J081v10n01_02

PLEASE SCROLL DOWN FOR ARTICLE

Taylor & Francis makes every effort to ensure the accuracy of all the information (the “Content”) contained
in the publications on our platform. However, Taylor & Francis, our agents, and our licensors make no
representations or warranties whatsoever as to the accuracy, completeness, or suitability for any purpose of the
Content. Any opinions and views expressed in this publication are the opinions and views of the authors, and
are not the views of or endorsed by Taylor & Francis. The accuracy of the Content should not be relied upon and
should be independently verified with primary sources of information. Taylor and Francis shall not be liable for
any losses, actions, claims, proceedings, demands, costs, expenses, damages, and other liabilities whatsoever
or howsoever caused arising directly or indirectly in connection with, in relation to or arising out of the use of
the Content.

This article may be used for research, teaching, and private study purposes. Any substantial or systematic
reproduction, redistribution, reselling, loan, sub-licensing, systematic supply, or distribution in any
form to anyone is expressly forbidden. Terms & Conditions of access and use can be found at http://
www.tandfonline.com/page/terms-and-conditions
 Subjective Dimensions
of Environmental Adaptation
Among the Elderly:
A Challenge to Models
of Housing Policy
Pierre Filion
Andrew Wister
Eliza J. Coblentz
Downloaded by [New York University] at 14:29 14 October 2014

ABSTRACT. This article explores dominant planning perspectives

on housing for the elderly. It contrasts these perspectives with hous-
ing choices and preferences as expressed in a 1987 survey of com-
munity dwelling elderly 75 years of age and over living in Kitchen-
er-Waterloo, Ontario, Canada. The results are consistent with those
of most studies on housing for the elderly in that a majority of re-
spondents have manifestsd a marked preference for "aging in
place." But our findings also suggest that the old elderly live on a
day by day basis, give little time to the considerationof future hous-
ing options and refrain from seeking support services or making de-
sign alterations. This implies that not only do the old elderly want

Pierre Filion is Associate Professor at the School of Urban and Regional

Planning, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario, N2L 3G1, Canada. Andrew
Wister is Assistant Professor, Gerontology Research Center, Simon Fraser Uni-
versity, British Columbia. Canada. Eliza J. Coblentz is a graduate student at the
School of Urban and Regional Planning, University of Waterloo.
This article was completed while Andrew Wister was a member of the faculty
at the University of Waterloo.
The data used for this research were collected with the support of a gant
(#492-86-0006) from the Social Science and Humanities Research Council of
Canada. .
Journal of Housing for the Elderly, Vol. 10(1/2) 1992
Q 1992 by The Haworth Press, Inc. All rights reserved. 3
 JOURNAL OF HOUSING FOR THE ELDERLY

to remain in their home but that they also prefer "coping on their
own." The article ends by reviewing the policy implications of
these findings. It recommends improved information on available
support services, coordinated delivery, and enhanced crisis re-
sponse capacity.

INTRODUCTION

Recently, considerable attention has been devoted to issues sur-

rounding living arrangements, housing, and related support systems
specifically designed to meet the needs of an aging population.
During this period, researchers have been increasingly aware of the
importance that individual preferences and attitudes have for elder-
Downloaded by [New York University] at 14:29 14 October 2014

ly living in the community. Policy makers and researchers have,

however, generally relied on models that overlook key aspects of
the individual such as differences in time orientation, value sys-
tems, expectations and abilities to psychologically adapt to one's
environment. For example, research has shown that older people
make more positive appraisals of their residential situation than
experts, which suggests diverging assessment criteria between these
two groups (Golant, 1986). Furthermore, research indicates that
personal control over the environment and the meaning of the home
are central to the understanding of relocation effects among the
elderly (Rutman and Freedman, 1988). There is clearly a need to
build these aspects of environmental adaptation in old age into our
housing models and substantive theories.
This article begins with a presentation of the principal perspec-
tives on housing an aging population that have dominated the litera-
ture over recent decades. The article then introduces survey data on
past, present and future environmental adaptation by older elderly as
well as awareness and utilization of related support services targeting
elderly populations. These data are compared with key prescriptions
and assumptions underlying the perspectives we draw from the liter-
ature and which are found in person-environment transaction theory.
In so doing, an attempt is made to evaluate the appropriateness of
these planning approaches by integrating subjective or psychological
dimensions of older persons' environmental adaptation.
 Filion, Wistec and Coblentz

PLANNING PERSPECTIVES ON HOUSING

FOR THE ELDERLY

In the recent past, housing policy has shown a growing preoc-

cupation with special need populations. Among these groups, it is
the elderly who have become the central focus of social housing
initiatives, largely because of their rapidly increasing numbers
(Bunting and Bourne, forthcoming). Several leading perspectives
on housing adaptations to the aging process stand out in the housing
policy and social gerontological literature. All offer an alternative to
the traditional public sector approach to the housing needs of the
elderly, which simply offered two options: remaining in the home or
institutionalization as environmental competence declines over time
(this gradual decline is expressed on Figure 1 by the diagonal). This
outdated model was criticized for contributing to premature institu-
Downloaded by [New York University] at 14:29 14 October 2014

tionalization, and therefore, unnecessary loss of independence and

high costs to society. This has been replaced with a new objective:
to allow the elderly the greatest possible autonomy for the longest
period of time (CMHC 1986, p.11). Various contemporary perspec-
tives propose intermediary adaptations between fully independent
living in the home and institutionalization, but differ markedly as to
the nature of these adaptations.'

Continuum of Adjustment

The first perspective, referred to as the "Continuum of Adjust-

ment" perspective, lies within the life cycle approach to housing
.change (see Figure 2). Housing alterations are ascribed' to one's
progression through life stages and associated evolutions in various
housing requirements: leaving the parental home, marriage, the
rearing of children, empty nesting, and retirement. The Continuum
of Adjustment perspective pertains exclusively to the retirement
stage of .the life cycle approach (Salins, 1971; Speare, 1970). A
linear succession of adjustments is proposed in order to assure a
lasting match between old persons' environmental competence and
their living environment. In its view, as capacity recedes over time,
adjustments are necessary to reduce tensions between individual
abilities and the environment (see Brink, 1985; Ellingham, MacLen-
 6 JOUHNAL OF HOUSlNG FOR THE ELDERLY

FIGURE 1: FIGURE 2:
TRADITIONAL HOME CONTINUUM OF ADJUSTMENT
INSTITUTIONAPPROACH PERSPECTIVE
ENVIRONMENTAL
COMPETENCE

t
Downloaded by [New York University] at 14:29 14 October 2014

nan and Dick, 1984; Hoglund, 1985; Kahana, 1975; Nachison and
Leeds, 1983).
Figure 2 depicts the perspective's three major stages of adjust-
ment, each of which conforms to a given level of environmental
competence (the ability to cope with demands imposed by one's
milieu). The continuum begins with the independent living stage,
where old persons are sufficiently autonomous to live in their house
or apartment without requiring special services to assist in their
daily tasks. As they enter the intermediary stage, elderly require
adapted services and/or design features to compensate for decreas-
ing functional ability. Some elderly can remain in their home be-
cause of home design adaptations or support services, which may
originate from the family, community agencies or private services.
Others can move to congregate or sheltered housing where a bal-
ance between support and independence is maintained. Qpically,
these two forms of housing consist of specially designed self-con-
tained rental units built around communal facilities Services are
provided on site. Within this intermediary stage also fall other hous-
ing options that may promote family support, such as granny flats
(portable living units for seniors) and accessory apartments. The
intermediary stage is meant to prevent undue dependence on ser-
 Filioh, Wisre~and Coblenrz 7

vices and.to maintain as much autonomy as possible (Malozenoff,

Anderson and Rosenbaum, 1978).
According to this view, when they enter the final stage of adjust-
ment, old persons need assistance to such an extent that it can only
be provided in nursing homes, chronic care hospitals or geriatric
units within hospitals. The succession between stages two and three
can e ually take place within a multi-care facility (Guttman,
1983). 9
Choice Maximization

It is clear from looking at Figure 3 that the "Choice Maximiza-

tion" perspective has much in common with the previous one. The
difference between the two lies in the emphasis that the Choice
Maximization perspective places on the need for a variety of hous-
Downloaded by [New York University] at 14:29 14 October 2014

ing options at the intermediary stage (Ross, 1979). This stems from
a commitment to provide options for the elderly and to respect their
choices, and from an awareness that their needs and preferences are
far more heterogenous than is implied by the Continuum of Adjust-
ment perspective. The importance of respecting elderly's residential
choices is confirmed by studies that have identified the adverse
morbidity and mortality consequences of forced relocation (Beaver,
1979; Ferraro, 1981; Schulz and'Brenner, 1977)..
From a housing policy perspective, this approach implies the
promotion of a wide variety of home support services and purpose
built options (Ontario Welfare Council, 1975). Examples of housing
options run the full gamut from minor home design alterations, such
as grab bars, to sheltered housing, and include diverse alternatives
such as granny flats, accessory apartments, home care services,
meal delivery, etc. Increasing financial support for the elderly is a
further measure favouring the generation of new housing options.

Aging in Place

The "Aging in Place" approach also professes to respect elder-

ly's choice. This is achieved by supporting the option that is most
often articulated by old persons: staying in their home (see especial-
ly Audain, 1976; Gutman and Blackie, 1986; Varady, 1984). As
 8 JOURNAL OF HOUSING FOR THE ELDERLY

shown in Figure 4, the Aging in Place perspective involves a

constellation of support services designed to counteract a decline in
environmental competence (CMHC, 1986; Struyk and Katsura,
1987; Winston, 1975). Required support services fall within three
general categories. First, there are health care services usually pro-
vided by visiting nurses. The second group includes personal ser-
vices such as homemaker assistance (laundry, cleaning, meals,
shopping), meal delivery and transportation services. A third type
of support services concerns upkeep, repair and adaptation of the
shelter itself. Insulation and home improvement programs such as
the Canadian Residence Rehabilitation Assistance Program (RRAP)
belong to this last category. Design alteration and financial support
programs will also make it easier for the frail elderly to remain at
home. Financial support can take the form of shelter allowances for
low income elderly tenants, such as the Logirente program in the
Downloaded by [New York University] at 14:29 14 October 2014

Province of Quebec or reverse annuity mortgages which allow older

persons to unlock equity built in the home (Scholen and Chen,
1980). Home sharing schemes, whereby the elderly are invited to
take on someone to Live with in return for a mutually agreed rent,
can provide added financial support and possibly be a source of
FIGURE 3: FIGURE 4:
MAXIMIZATION OF CHOICE AGING IN PLACE
PERSPECTIVE PERSPECTIVE
ENVIRONMENTAL
COMPETENCE

S H ~ T E R GRANNY
HOUSNG FIATS
I '\ I
 Filion, Wistec and Coblentz 9

companionship and of help with household chores (Rapelje, 1985;

Sueib, Folts and Hilker, 1984).
It remains uncertain whether the replacement of purpose built
housing programs by aging in place services and design changes
can be justified solely .from a purely economic point of view
(DHSS, 1981; Wheeler, 1982). Services delivered to the home and
design alterations are costly and, furthermore, the demand for home
based services and home alterations may end up exceeding that for
purpose built housing. But it is recognized that, apart from being
their preferred option, aging in place has a beneficial effect on the
elderly by allowing them to remain in a familiar environment with
relative independence (Taylor, 1987, pp. 74-5). Moreover, there is
growing evidence that these social and physical adaptations may
delay institutionalization and could therefore constitute a potential
economic saving.
Downloaded by [New York University] at 14:29 14 October 2014

Comparing these approaches, it becomes obvious that they share

a focus on the intermediary stage: they insert housing and support
alternatives between the unassisted home living stage and the insti-
tutionalization stage. Moreover, the three perspectives are preoccu-
pied with ongoing losses in environmental competence and offer
solutions such as adaptations to the physical niilieu and support
'services to assure the greatest possible degree of independence for
the longest feasible duration. To meet this goal, the Continuum of
Change and the Maximization of Choice approaches stress reloca-
tion to an environment designed to meet changing needs. Alterna-
tively, the Aging in Place perspective supports the view that such
services and design alterations are best provided within the home
environment. It must be cautioned that these perspectives are dis-
tinct solely at a conceptual level; in practice, current programs and
policies tend to weave aspects of different models together.

THE LAWTON MODEL

The three planning perspectives are consistent with Lawton's

contributions to person-environment transaction theory, which spe-
cifically addresses the balance between old people's competence
and their living environment. According to Lawton's ecological
 10 JOURNAL OF HOUSING FOR THE ELDERLY

model of aging (originally presented in a chapter by Lawton and

Nahemow, 1973), the elderly will enjoy a range of comfort (positive
affect) and display adaptive behaviour when their individual com-
petence (physical, mental and emotional) and the demands imposed
by their physical and social living environment (environmental
press) are compatible (see Figure 5). While a moderately "challeng-
ing environment" is beneficial because it encourages effort and
therefore stretches abilities, too wide a discrepancy between com-
petence and environmental demands results in maladaptive beha-
viour, personal stress and prevents the carrying out of activities that
are essential to healthy living. As indicated by the shape of the bar
in Figure 5, the "docility hypothesis" states that those with higher
competence levels can withstand greater levels of environmental
press. Butthis model also implies that there is an ideal fit between
persons' competence and their environment, and further, that incon-
Downloaded by [New York University] at 14:29 14 October 2014

gruence between the two leads to maladaptive behaviour which, in

turn, motivates alterations to the environment.
The three housing policy perspectives aim to achieve precisely
such a balance between competence and environmental press. In
their intermediary stage-the one that is intercalated between the
autonomy in the home and the institutionalization stages-all three
perspectives aspire to maintain a measure of independence while
safeguarding the elderly from environmental demands that exceed
their declining competence. In temls of the Lawton model, contem-
porary planning approaches purport to prevent the occurrence of
maladaptive behaviour through environmental adjustments, specifi-
cally by changing residence and/or by providing support services.
In this way, they seek to maintain a moderately challenging envi-
ronment in order to avoid premature dependence (Ontario Welfare
Council, 1977).
In contrast, the traditional Home-Institutionalization model (see
Figure 1 ) contradicts propositions emerging from Lawton's concep-
tualization. Its primary concern with declining physical capacities
leads this model to favour early institutionalization. Because pre-
mature institutionalization produces a sudden drop in environmen-
tal press below the level required to stimulate their faculties, this
approach may be responsible for an atrophy of elderly's cognitive
and functional ability.
 Filion, W i s t e ~md Coblentz 11

FIGURE 5: ECOLOGICAL MODEL OF AGING

/ -~/S,I T I V EAFFECT&""
Downloaded by [New York University] at 14:29 14 October 2014

low
weak strong
ENVIRONMENTAL PRESS

Source: M.P. Lawton and L. Nohemow, 1973.

Copyright (1973) by the American Psychological Association. R e

printed (or Adapted) by permission; Lawton. M. Powell and Lucille
Nahemow, "Ecology and the Aging Process" in Carl Eisdorfer and M.
Powell Lawton (Eds.), The Psychology of Adult Development and Ag-
ing. Washington, DC: American Psychological Association, 1973, p.
661.

We now turn to the description of a survey that contains informa-

tion appropriate for the evaluation of the assumptions associated
with the housing models previously discussed. This will be accom-
plished by considering elderly's attitudes and behaviour on aspects
that are central to these models.
 12 JOURNAL OF HOUSING FOR THE ELDERLY

METHODOLOGY

The data used for this research are drawn from a 1987 survey of
living environment decision-making among older elderly. It was
carried out in Kitchener-Waterloo, a middle-sized Ontario urban
area with a population of approximately 200,000. Interviews of
about one hour in duration were conducted among a sample of
persons aged 75 and over because those who belong to this age
group frequently experience deteriorations in individual compe-
tence. The Ontario Ministry of Revenue randomly selected 550
names of persons in this age category from assessment records
containing information on all owners and renters living in build-
ings that are assessed for property tax purposes. These assessment
records are updated on an ongoing basis and therefore represent a
reliable listing of elderly living in the community.
Downloaded by [New York University] at 14:29 14 October 2014

Approximately 55 percent of the original sample completed inter-

views (280 respondents). Reasons for non-response include: (1) not
at home after three attempts; (2) not found at address; (3) de-
ceased; (4) incapacity due to poor health; (5) incapacity due to
language; (6) refusal. Sociodemographic distributions among re-
spondents are presented in Table 1.
Comparing this sample to national figures reveals a larger pro-
portion of married elderly, which also results in slightly more
people residing in houses and a higher average income. These sam-
ple characteristics reflect, in part, the relatively higher standard of
living and low supply of rental units found in the Kitchener-Water-
loo region. In addition, the proportion of male respondents is higher
in our sample than in the country as a whole because of somewhat
higher non-response rates among women.
A number of themes are drawn from the survey to compare the
respondents' adaptive behaviour with assumptions and prescrip-
tions arising from the models of housing policy. The data provide a
measure of the respondents' physical capacity, their satisfaction
with current housing circumstances, and their current adaptation to
declining capacities. Selected themes also include respondents' an-
ticipated adjustments and the importance they give planning for the
future. A correspondence between the housing models and elderly's
behaviour, attitudes and preferences should translate into both ad-
 Filion, Wister; and Coblentz 13

Table 1: Frequency Distributions for Socio-Demographic Variables

....................................................................
Variable Category Frequency
.................................................................... %

Age

mean - 79.2
Sex males
Eemales

Marital married
status nomarried

Dwelling house 228 81

Downloaded by [New York University] at 14:29 14 October 2014

apartment 52 19
Type
--- ---
280 100
Living alone 103 37
Arrangement with spouse only 105 37
with others 72 26
--- ---
280 100
Total under $7,999 46 18
Income 8,000-9.999 42 17
10,000-14,999 72 29
15,000-19. 999 36 15
over 20,000
---
50
---21
mean
missing
- 31 -
$10,500 246 100
....................................................................
justments to compensate for declining competence at the physical
and social level, and active planning for future changes:

RESULTS
Perceived Health
Table 2 indicates that a significant proportion of the sample
(40%) rate their health status as either fair or poor. This proportion
 14 JOURNAL OF HOUSING FOR THE ELDERLY

Table 2: Frequency D i s t r i b u t i o n f o r Perceived S t r e n g t h and Mobility

........................................................................
Variable category Frequency S
........................................................................
Perceived excellent 55 20
Strength and good 113 40
Hobility lair 72 26
39
poor
--- ---14
279 100

missing = 1

is consistent with national distributions of perceived health based

on the 1985 General Social Survey (Statistics Canada, 1987). The
Downloaded by [New York University] at 14:29 14 October 2014

significance of these data from an environmental point of view is

highlighted by research that has identified a strong correlation be-
tween perceived health and activity limitation. For example, using
1985 Canadian national data, Stephens (1988) found that 92% of
elderly rating their health as fair or poor also reported at least one
major activity limitation. In our study, the expectation of such an
association is enhanced by the fact that the most often cited health
complaints reported by respondents (arthritis and general weak-
ness) have an obvious limiting effect on mobility and general activ-
ity-in other words, on environmental competence. Therefore, on
the basis of age and the high proportion of respondents reporting
health difficulties, it can safely be assumed that a significant share
of the sample also faces problems in negotiating their environment.
Satisfaction
According to Table 3, 90% of respondents are either very
satisfied or satisfied with their home. I t is hardly surprising that
87% intend to remain at their present address. Apart from show-
ing somewhat higher housing satisfaction levels and lower mov-
ing intentions, these findings are by and large consistent with
that of other studies dealing with elderly's subjective assessment
of their housing conditions (see Butler and Lewis, 1973; Mont-
gomery, Stubbs and Day, 1980; Rose, 1982). This singularly high
 Filion, Wwtel; and Coblentz 15

Table 3 : Frequency Distribution f o r S a t i s f a c t i o n with Home and

Residential S t a b i l i t y
.........................................................................
Variable Category Frequency 5
Satisfaction very s a t i s f i e d 16 1 60
With Home satisfied 80 30
neutral 11 4
dissatisfied 13 5
very d i s s a t i s f i e d 2
. --- ---1
26 7 100
m i s s i n s = 13

Residential definitely 168 62

Stability probably 68 25
neutral 5 2
unlikely
---
29 11
---
210 100
Downloaded by [New York University] at 14:29 14 October 2014

missing : 10

satisfaction rate and the strong desire to remain in the present

home may be attributed to this survey's focus on the elderly 75
and over. Since future moves become arduous in advanced old
age and are likely to translate into loss of privacy, independence
and a definitive break with familiar surroundings, current satis-
faction, with the home may largely reflect anticipated moving
difficulties and a lack of alternatives (see Baker, 1987; Golant,
1986; United Senior Citizens of Ontario, 1985).

Design Alterations

Given the combination of a high incidence of precarious health

conditions and an overall strong attachment to the home, one could
anticipate extensive reliance on design alterations, since these
physical adjustments can help in maintaining a balance between
declining capacities and the home environment. Unexpectedly,
Table 4 indicates that very few alterations have in fact been canied
out. As little as 14% of the respondents have made such changes.
Moreover, when design alterations do occur, they are minor and
 16 JOURNAL OF HOUSING FOR THE ELDERLY

Table 4: Frequency D i s t r i b u t i o n f o r Type and Cost of A l t e r a t i o n s

.........................................................................

Desian A l t e r a t i o n s none
ralling-lnterior
railing-exterior
g r a b bar-tub
s i n g l e Level home
close off upstairs
r a i s e patio
expand bathroom

Cost of msun
Change ( d o l l a r s ) 0
10-50
60-100
Downloaded by [New York University] at 14:29 14 October 2014

over ZOO

missing = 250.

This i n c l u d e s t h e 241 reapondents s t a t i n g t h a t they have made no design

a l t e r a t i o n s , p l u s 9.wbo d i d n o t know t h e c o s t .

involve modest expenditures, the average cost amounting to $50.00.

Only 20% of alterations (a total of 6) cost over $200. It is also
interesting to note that only six respondents took major steps to
adapt their living environment to their declining competence: three
moved to a single level home and the same number closed off part
of their house. When considering these results in light of the data on
health status presented in Table 2, we are faced with the paradox
that prevalent health restrictions for many elderly generally fail to
translate into design alterations.

Home Support Services

This same reasoning also befits reliance on support services. One

might expect that given their advanced age and poor health, many
 Filion, Wister;and Coblentz 17

respondents would require extensive use of home support services

to remain in their home. As shown in Table 5, findings lend only
moderate support to these expectations. The highest level of use for
any service; which stands at 17%,is for Home Care. The Waterloo
Regional Home Care Program co-ordinates various services that

Table 5: Frequency D i s t r i b u t i o n s f o r U t i l i z a t i o n of Home Support

Services
.........................................................................
Variable Category Frequency 'I
.........................................................................
HEAR*

missing = 1
Downloaded by [New York University] at 14:29 14 October 2014

Home Care no
Yes

missing = 1

Raise Home
SUPPOFt

missing = 1

Meals on Kneels no
yea

missing = 1
Shine Home no
Support yes

Home Maintenance no
yes

.........................................................................
*Helping Erb S t r e e t Area Residents (HEAR)
 18 JOURNAL OF HOLrSING FOR THE ELDERLY

provide comprehensive care for old persons in their home and is

funded by the Ontario Government (Ministry of Health and Minis-
try of Community and Social Services). Some services require a
medical referral for complete coverage (Home Care) or must meet
eligibility requirements (Integrated Homemaker Program). The
Home Care program also co-ordinates other local home support
programs, which provide subsidized domestic assistance based on
self referral. Another support service mentioned in Table 5, Meals
on Wheels, reaches 12% of the sample. For all other programs,
utilization rates stand well below the 10% mark. (Description of
Table 5's other support programs can be found in Note 3.)
Limited use of home support services cannot be primarily attrib-
uted to lack of awareness, since Table 6 reveals that in all cases
respondents' awareness of available services stands well above take
up rates. Ninety percent of the respondents are aware of the Meals
Downloaded by [New York University] at 14:29 14 October 2014

on Wheels service compared to sixty percent for the Home Care

Program. Even lesser known home support services, such as HEAR
(Helping Erb Street Area Residents) and Shine Home Support post
awareness levels that are many times superior to utilization rates.
Still, these crude measures of service knowledge suggest that im-
provements could be made in information dissemination to seniors.

Anticipated Adaptations

Table 7 presents changes that respondents anticipate making in

the future. In our sample, 66% of respondents anticipate no future
adaptations or express uncertainty about future environmental
changes. It is worth noting that only 4% foresee moving to a nurs-
ing home, one of the more common adaptation options marking the
end of the intermediary stage as defined by the three perspectives
on housing adaptation.

Planning for the Future

Table 8's results are consistent with the observed reluctance to

articulate future residentia change. Table 8 reveals that only 16% of
respondents invest either considerable or a fair amount of time to
the consideration of future change. At the other end of the spectrum,
 Filion, W i s t e ~and Coblentz 19

Table 6 1 Frequency Distributions for Awareness of Housing

Innovations
--------------------------------------------------*--------------------

.......................................................................
Variable Category Frequency 0

Granny Flats NO
(PLUS1 Yes

Shared Living No
Arrangernenta Yea

Reverae Annuity NO
Uncertain
Yes
Downloaded by [New York University] at 14:29 14 October 2014

Bone Exchange
uncertain
Yea

Accessory NO 119 42.5

Apartments Uncertain 2 1.5
Yes 159 57
--- ---
280
....................................................................... 100

Respondents were given a short description of each before being asked

questions concerning housing innovations.

65% devote no time at all to planning ahead and another 19%, very
little time. Turning to the reasons behind the absence of consider-
ation of future environmental change, Table 9 indicates that older
elderly do not think about future changes to their environment
mainly because they feel comfortable or content (44%),live day by
day (17%), don't like to consider changes (lo%), and never think
about the future (9%). These findings are in stark contrast with the
results of studies of moving behaviour at the pre- or early retirement
phase which reveal more active consideration of alternative resi-
dences and more 'frequent moves (e.g., Kuntz, 1989, p. 113; Law
and Warnes 1980; Wiseman, 1980, p. 151). Older elderly are, as we
 20 JOURNAL OF HOUSING FOR THE ELDERLY

Table 7: Frequency D i s t r i b u t i o n f o r Future Adaptations

.........................................................................
Variable Category Frequency 1
.........................................................................
Future n o n e / ~t s u r e 186 66
Adaptetion~ move t o apartment 25 9
home h e l p - i n t e r i o r 19 7
main f l o o r l i v i n g 14 5
move t o nursing home 11 4
move t o condo 8 3
l i v e with c h i l d 6 2
home h e l p - e x t e r l o r 2 1
grab bars 2 1
move t o house 2 1
---
280
---
100
......................................................................
Downloaded by [New York University] at 14:29 14 October 2014

Table 8: Frequency D i s t r i b u t i o n s For Time Given t o Future Change

.........................................................................

Time Given considerable

To Future f a i r Amount
Change very L i t t l e
none

missing = 3

have seen, restricted to residential options that are far less attractive
than those available to their younger counterparts. Residential op-
tions for older seniors such as home care services involve a loss of
autonomy and underscore their declining capacities. When they
entail relocation, such options may exact a heavy psychological toll
because of their uprooting effect. It is therefore hardly surprising
that these elderly are prone to states of inertia regarding environ-
mental alterations.
 Filion, Wister; and Coblentz 21

Reason Given comfortable-Content

f o r NO Future l i v e day by day
Design Changen don't l i k e t o consider i t
never thought about i t
move d e c i s i o n made
cared f o r by someone
don*t uant change
adaptations made
not sure

Refers t o 180 respondents who l n v e s t no time i n t o consideration

Downloaded by [New York University] at 14:29 14 October 2014

of future changes t o t h e i r environment.

DISCUSSION
Two aspects of the respondents' environmental preferences, atti-
tudes and behaviour deserve particular attention because they en-
capsulate their perception of change and of the need for future
adaptations. First, elderly persons seem to display an aversion to-
ward residential change. This is evidenced by high satisfaction with
their present residence and an apparent lack of interest for housing
alternatives. Thus, in one sense, respondents appear to espouse
preferences and attitudes that are consistent with the Aging in Place
approach which purports to sustain environmental competence by
providing a constellation of design alterations and support services.
But respondents also display a resistance to change that extends to
home alterations and, to a lesser extent, related support services.
The second interesting aspect is that the majority of respondents do
not plan for future modifications to their living environment. There
is a tendency to neither seek, nor prepare for, environmental change
(that is, moving to a new location, making changes within the home
and requesting home based services, except perhaps for home care
services which are usually linked to hospitalization). The major
 22 JOURNAL OF HOUSING FOR THE ELDERLY

reasons given for this passivity reflect perceptions of relative com-

fort and satisfaction with the current residence, day by day living,
and denial.
These findings suggest the presence of an alternative perspective
on environmental adaptation, which, while sharing the attachment
to the home found in the Aging in Place perspective, differs in other
crucial ways. This perspective can be labelled "Psychological
Adaptation," and reflects the old elderly's resolution to remain in
the home for as long as possible while making limited use of out-
side support and design alterations, in other words, to "cope on
their own" (see Figure 6). Another distinguishing characteristic
concerns older seniors' propensity to engage in "day by day liv-
ing," which departs from the long term, linear time perspective
underlying models adopted by most policy makers. These models
Downloaded by [New York University] at 14:29 14 October 2014

portray a succession of environmental adaptations which coincide

with a gradual decrease in competence over time. Professionals
relate easily to such models because they allow them to anticipate
coming steps in the aging process and set up required facilities and
services. The broken diagonal line in Figure 6 indicates that, while
decline in capacity over time does take place, older elderly tend to
psychologically adapt to frailty (which may entail denial) when
assessing cunrent living conditions. Moreover, most elderly do not
even invest time into consideration of future options, a fact which
further confirms an absence of linear time perception on their part.
Value distinctions between planning perspectives and the elderly
rest on diverging viewpoints regarding housing adaptation. Apart
from beiig grounded in a linear time perception, housing models
tend to be based on so-called objective need defmitions that rely
largely on external observation as an assessment tool. Appraisals of
the environmental ada~tationand subseuuent interventions afford
greatest importance to capacity losses and seniors' physical envi-
ronment-two very visible aspects of their adjustment. On the basis
of such observations, these perspectives support an interventionist
approach which actively promotes design changes and service de-
livery as instruments to meet waning competence. Figure 6 express-
es the discrepancy between experts' interventionist definition of
needs and elderly's own psychological adaptation process by a
 Filion, Wisier, and Coblentz

FIGURE 6: PSYCHOLOGICAL ADAPTATION PERSPECTIVE

RONMENTAL
PETENCE
\
\
\
\
\ HOME
\
\
\
\
\.
\
\
-------
r
I
\ \
I
I
\.
EXTERNALLY DEFINED
I
Downloaded by [New York University] at 14:29 14 October 2014

TENSIONZONE
\
I \
I \
\

broken line that blocks off the externally defined tension zone from
the home-based stage.
The old elderly have a very different view of environmental
adaptation. Their perception of future time tends to be very short
and planning of future residential change is often ignored. The most
important distinction, however, lies in the opposition between ob-
jective and subjective definitions of environmental adaptation
(Bradshaw, 1972; Golant, 1986, p. 49). Inconsistency between older
persons' subjective evaluation of their environment, which tends to
 24 JOURNAL OF HOUSING FOR THE ELDERLY

express satisfaction, and experts' more objective measurements,

which are more prone to identify problems, has been attributed to
different factors (see O'Bryant, 1982, p. 351; Lawton, 1980, pp.
48-9). Carp (1975) contends that, to avoid cognitive dissonance, the
elderly will tend to become resigned to poor living conditions when
they are unable to improve these conditions. Others, such as Camp-
bell, Converse and Rodgers (1976) and Montgomery, Stabbs and
Day (1980), assert that many current elderly have learned through
cohort related experiences to be humble and appreciative of what
they possess.
Our data insinuate the existence of additional explanations. First,
a gradual reduction in competence often occasions a multiplicity of
minor adjustments taking place over a long time period. In this
fashion, many old persons become acclimatized and impervious to
living conditions that can objectively be defined as onerous. Sec-
Downloaded by [New York University] at 14:29 14 October 2014

ond, familiarity and psychological attachment to this environment

may at least be as important as their capacity to deal with it from a
practical point of view. One could interpret old persons' resistance
to change as a desire to maintain their privacy and independence,
and to remain in familiar surroundings (Wister, 1985). These adap-
tive processes may also proceed from an undervaluation of environ-
mental difficulties; the elderly commonly exhibit a certain degree of
denial when it comes to assessing their residential situation. Fur-
thermore, social attachment to the environment arises from seniors'
desire to preserve existing social interaction and established behav-
ioural rhythms, both of which may mitigate- the debilitating - effects
of strong environmental press and promote greater perceived inde-
pendence. For example, research shows that living with others re-
duces the probability of institutionalization (Shapiro and Taite,
1988).
In contrast to the other approaches, the Psychological Adaptation
perspective questions the primacy that the Lawton model affords to
the match between competence and the physical environment. It
does so by stressing psy~hologicalas opposed to physical and, to a
lesser extent, social adaptation to the environment. Psychological
adaptation may be generally defined as internal responses to the
interaction between individual competence and environmental de-
mands, while social adaptation refers to elements of social support
 Filion, Wistet and Coblentz 25

that substitute for inadequacies in the physical environment. The

integration of psychological adaptation into the Lawton model is
consistent with recent attention paid to the volitional or "proactive"
aspect of the person-environment interaction (see Lawton, 1987;
Wister, 1989) and with research emphasizing the importance of
building individual preferences into the model (Carp, 1984). These
additions to Lawton's model are also in agreement with criticisms
of past research on this subject for being overly preoccupied with
the environment side of the person-environment equation.
Thus; older elderly's attachment to the home, aversion to change,
and a self-reliant attitude represent aspects of psychological adapta-
tion that partly explain a propensity to remain in place and resist
significant change to the home. For example, one widow in our
study would not change residence in spite of the fact that she had to
crawl up stairs to reach her bedroom. She 'quoted sentimental at-
tachment to the home as a reason for remaining at this location.
Downloaded by [New York University] at 14:29 14 October 2014

Some subjects engaged in various arrangements defying objective

physical adaptation to negotiate demanding environments without
major changes. Many other respondents, who also appeared to fall
within the range of maladaptive behaviour, stated that a major
change would be costly at a psychological level (too much trouble)
and that day to day difficulties associated with their physical envi-
ronment had become acceptable over time.
It arises from this discussion that an understanding of the Psv-
chological Adaptation perspective calls for the consideration bf
environmental ada~tationat a subiective as well as at a social and
physical level and raises the for their substitution. It
would appear that older elderly give less weight to the capacity to
negotiate their physical environment than to psychological states
and existing patterns of social i n t e r a c t i ~ n . ~

POLICY IMPLICATIONS

Older elderly's preference for remaining in the home and, for the
most part, coping on their own suggests a number of policy adjust-
ments. One implication is that this group of elderly may sometimes
be unaware of the existence of available support options and, per-
 26 JOURNAL OF HOUSING FOR THE ELDERLY

haps more often, unfamiliar with how these options can be ap-
propriate to their own situation. Because of reasons such as pride,
inde~endence.self-reliance and lack of confidence in oublic sector
or voluntary agencies, the older person or even a family member
may be hesitant to approach service delivery organizations. Finally,
when multiple needs require attention, persons in their latter years
may be daunted by the task of learning about the service delivery
landscape and getting in touch with the appropriate agencies. Out-
reach programs are needed that provide information on available
services and funding, coordinate their delivery, and demonstrate
their capacity to meet the elderly's needs. It may even be necessary
to rely on a liaison person who could help the senior to engage in
anticipatory decisions about environmental changes (Wister and
Burch, 1987). The Canadian Aging Veterans Program demonstrates
the feasibility of a comprehensive and coordinated approach to
Downloaded by [New York University] at 14:29 14 October 2014

service delivery targeted at home based old persons. This program

takes on the responsibility for the preparation of meals, home clean-
ing, grounds keeping including snow removal, transportation ser-
vices, general home maintenance as well as design alterations to
assist the disabled (CMHC, 1984, p. 10). The proposed One Stop
Shopping Program (Van Horne, 1986) aims to provide a similar
liaison service.
Lack of planning for future changes raises another policy im-
plication. Since most older elderly do not anticipate nor prepare for
a change in residence, a move to a form of housing that is less
demanding for their declining physical competence is likely to oc-
cur only after the individual has reached a fairly severe state of
health. As a result, admission into different forms of adapted hous-
ing, and especially nursing homes, will be precipitous and must be
geared to crisis response.
More generally, the study dramatizes the importance of bridging
the cultural gap that sets policy makers apart from the senior elderly.
(See for discussions on issues of cross-cultural communication and
intervention: Bolan, 1969; Goodenough, 1963; Hecht, 1979.)
Policy makers display a future oriented outlook and an objective
definition of needs that arises from external observation and expert
assessment. By comparison, older elderly appear to be both present
oriented and subjective in the assessment of their needs. As a result,
 Filion, Wister, and Cobfentz 27

to the extent that they are inclined to respect the elderly's housing
choices, policy makers must attempt to organize their interventions
around elderly's preferences, attitudes and practical knowledge. For
example, studies have shown the importance of the meaning of the
home to elderly and how this frequently causes adjustment difficul-
ties when relocation takes place (see for example, Rutman and
Freedman, 1988).5

CONCLUSION

This survey has exposed the incongruence between the views of

policy makers and those of old elderly regaiding housing adapta-
tions during the latter stages of the aging process. This divergence
has been attributed to differences in time perception, acclimatiza-
tion to declining competence and self-reliance. Most old elderly
Downloaded by [New York University] at 14:29 14 October 2014

avoid planning for future change; they very much live'in the pres-
ent. Meanwhile, housing models adopt a global view of the aging
process and map out in detail a full range of services and housing
transitions which are ideally suited for various levels of compe-
tence throughout the aging process. Although a range of innova-
tive housing options are increasingly being considered by some
elderly, our data indicate that at least presently most older respon-
dents who currently live independently resist change and are reluc-
tant to adapt their environment to decreasing levels of physical
capacity.
Such discrepancies are also attributable to profound differences
between experts and old persons' understanding of environmental
adjustment.~~olicy makers, planners and other professionals give
prominence to compatibility between the physical environment and
competence. By contrast, the older elderly seem to engage in psy-
chological and, to a lesser extent, social adaptation, in the face of
deteriorating capacity to negotiate easily their physical environ-
ment. These observations endorse the maintenance of the individu-
als in their home for longer than objectively defined competence
would appear to warrant. As a corollary, the survey's findings fa-
vour greater use of outreach programs to both overcome the old
elderly's resistance to change and to permit as comfortable an ex-
tension of the aging in place phase as possible.
 28 JOUflil:..i~UP HOUSING FOR THE ELDERLY

NOTES
1. These perspectives do not result primarily from concerted reflections on the
part of experts exchanging views within well defined schools of thought. Rather,
each perspective groups views expressed by a variety of expwts who reached,
often independently, similar conclusions. It is noteworthy that although many
researchers and professionals were searching for solutions, similar problems elic-
ited a limited number of solu tions.
2. Obviously, many decease before their deteriorating competence warrants
traversing the full continuum.
3. Helping Erb Street Area Residents (HEAR): The aim is to help seniors in
Waterloo by providing transportation, friendship and support services for seniors
who are alone and/or housebound.
RAISE Home Support for the Elderly: A volunteer organization to provide
personal services (i.e., visiting, security checks, transportation for medical needs
and information) and a service to find people to do light housecleaning at $4.50
per hour.
Meals on Wheels: Involves delivery of hol nutritious noon meals and visitation
Downloaded by [New York University] at 14:29 14 October 2014

for seniors. Several exist throughout the Kitchener-Waterloo area.

Waterloo Shine Home Support Program: Provides home care services for
senior citizens in the city of Waterloo. They arrange house cleaning, gardening,
snow shovelling and minor repairs at $4.50 per hour.
Home Maintenancemepair Program: This program is run by the Rokway
Seniors' Centre and provides home repair assistance below market price by using
relired seniors.
4. These findings may well be applicable to the population in general, elderly
or not. What distinguishes the elderly from other age groups is that, for them.
psychological and social adaptation is more likely to coexist with physical malad-
justment.
5. An important note of warning is in order here. Our insistence on a greater
respect for elderly's preferences does not extend, obviously, to situations where
health or safety are compromised, such as in the case of the older person who has
suffered several debilitating falls and is living alone in a two story house. Inter-
vention may sometimes he justified despite residents' reluctance to seek help or
alternative living arrangements.

REFERENCES
Audain, M. (1976) "Rethinking Housing for the Elderly." In J. McClain ( 4 . )
Housing rhe Elderly (Proceedings from Regional Seminars and Workshops
Held in Winnipeg, Vancouver, Toronto, Montreal and Halifax, 1974-197s).
Ottawa: The Canadian Council on Social Development.
Baker, Paul M. (1987) "A Survey of the Need for Sheltered Housing for the
Elderly in Greater Victoria" (unpublished paper).
 Filion, Wlrter; and Coblentz 29

Beaver, M. L. (1979) "The Decision-Making Process and its Relationship with

Adjustment in Old People," Gerontologist 19: 567-74.
Bolan, R. (1969) "Community Decision Bebavior: The Culture of Planning,"
Journal of the American Institute of Planners 35 (5):301-10.
Bradshaw, Jonathan (1972) "The Concept of Social Need," New Society 496
(March 30,1972): 640-643.
Brink, Satya (1985) "Housing Elderly People in Canada: Working Toward a
Continuum of Housing Choices Appropriate to their Needs." In Gloria M.
Gutman and Norman K. Blackie (eds.) Innovations in Housing and Living
Arrangementsfor Seniors. Burnaby, B. C . :The Gerontology Research Centre,
--
.I-Z.5.
Bunting, T. E. and L. S. Bourne (forthcoming) "Housing Provision, Residential
Development and Neighbourhood Dynamics." In L. S. Bourne and D. Ley
(eds.) Canadian Urban Social Geography.
Butter, R. N . and M. I. Lewis (1973) Aging and Mental Health. St. Louis, Miss.:
C. V. Mosby.
Campbell, A,, P. E.Converse and W. L. Rodgers (1976) The Quality ofAmerican
Downloaded by [New York University] at 14:29 14 October 2014

Life: Perceptions, Evaluations, and Satisfactions. New York: Russell Sage

Foundation.
Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) (1984) "Inventory of Pro-
grams in Canada for Housing the Elderly Living Independently," Ottawa:
CMHC.
Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) (1986) "Government
Policy Initiatives for Housing- the Elderly-International Experience," Ottawa:
CMHC.
Carp, F.M. (1975) "Ego Defense or Co~nitiveConsistency Effects on Environ-
mental ~valuations," Journal of ~ e r o % o l o30,
~ ~pp. 70j-11.
Carp, F,M. (1984) "A Complimentary/Cong~enceModel of Well-Being on
Mental Health for the Community Elderly." In I. Altrnan, M. P. Lawton and J.
Wohlwill (eds.) Human Behavior and the Environment: The Elderly and the
Physical Environment. New York: Plenum
Department of Health and Social Services (DHS.5)-Great Britain (1981) "Report
of a Study on Community Care," London: HMSO.
Ellingham, Ian, John A. MacLennan. Nicholas W. Dick (1984) "Alternative
Methods of Financing Non-Profit Senior Citizens' Housing," Ottawa: CMHC.
Ferraro, K. (1981) "Relocation Desires and Outcomes Among the Elderly: A
Longitudinal Study," Research on Aging 3, pp. 166-81.
Golant, Stephen M. (1986) "Understanding the Diverse Housing Environments of
the Elderly," Environments 18 (3) 35-51.
Goodenough. W. H. (1963) Cooperation in Change. New York: Russell Sage.
Guttman, Gloria (1983) "The Long-Term Impact of Multi-Level, Multi-Service
Accommodation for Seniors," Ottawa: CMHC (Senior Citizens' Housing
Study Report No. 3).
Guttman, G.M. and N. Blackie (1986) "Aging in Place: Housing Adaptations and
 30 JOUlWAL OF HOUSING FOR THE ELDERLY

Options for Remaining in the Community," Burnaby, B. C.: Simon Fraser

University. The Gerontology Research Centre.
Hecht, K. A. (1979) "Challenging Evaluation to the Cross Cultural Test: Program
Evaluation in Cross Cultural Settings," International Journal of Interculhtral
Relations 3:315-25.
Hoglund. J. David (1985) Housing for the Elderly: Privacy and Independence in
Environments for lhe Aging. New York: Van Nostrand Reinhold.
Kahana, E (1975) "A Congruence Model of Person-Environment Interaction." In
P. Windley, T. 0.Byerts and E G. Ernst (eds.) Theory and Development in
Environment and Aging. Washington, D.C.: Gerontology Society.
Kuntz, Marilyn E. (1989) "Planned Retirement Communities in the Urban Field:
A Housing Alternative for Seniors," unpublished M.A. thesis, Department of
Geography, University of Waterloo.
Law, C. M. and A. M. Wames (1980) "The Characteristics of Retired Migrants."
In D. T. Herbert and R. J. Johnston (eds.) Geography and the Urban Envimn-
ment (Progress in Research and Applications, Volume IQ. London: John
Wiley & Sons.
Downloaded by [New York University] at 14:29 14 October 2014

Lawton, M. Powell (1980) Environment and Aging. Monterey, Calif.: Brooks1

Cole Publishing.
Lawton, M. Powell (1987) "Aging and Proactivity in the Residential Environ-
ment," address given to the Division of Co-unity Psychology (Division 27) at
the Annual Meeting of the American Psychological Association. New York
City, September 1, 1987.
Lawton, M. P. and L. Nahemow (1973) "Ecology and the Aging Process." In C.
Eisdorfer and M. P. Lawton (eds.) The Psychology of Adult Development and
Aging. Washington, D.C.: The American Psychological Association.
Malozenoff, Irene K.. John G. Anderson and Lidia V Rosenbaum (1978) Housing
for the Elderly; Evaluation of the Efectiveness of Congnzgate Residences.
Boulder, Colorado: Westview Press.
Montgomery, J. E., A. C. Stubbs and S. S . Day (1980) "The Housing Environ-
ment of the Rural Elderly," Gerontologist 20:444-51.
Nachison, J. and M. Leeds (1983) "Housing Policy for Older Americans in the
1980s," Journul of Housing for the Elderly 1:3-14.
O'Bryant, Shirley (1982) "The Value of Home to Older Persons; Relationship to
Housing Satisfaction." Research on Aging 4 (3):349-63.
Ontario Welfare Council (1975) "Housing the Elderly in Ontario (a Brief Based
on the Proceedings of a Workshop on Beyond Shelter). "Toronto: OWC.
Ontario Welfare Council (1977) "Alternatives to Institutional Residential Care
for Seniors," Toronto: OWC.
Rapelje, D. H. (1985) "A Canadian Example: The Home Sharing Program for
Older Adults in Regional Niagara." In G. Gutman and N. Blackie (eds.)
Innovations in Housing and Living Arrungements for Seniors. Bumaby, B. C.:
Simon Fraser University, The Gerontology Research Centre.
Rose. Edgar A. (1982) Housing Needs and the Elderly. Aldershots, Hants.: Gower.
 Filion, Wistes and Coblentz 31

Ross, D. (1979) "Statement on Retirement Age Policies," Ottawa: Canadian

Council on Social Development.
Rutman, D. L. and J. L. Freeman (1988) "Anticipating Relocation: Coping Strate-
gies and the Meaning of the Home for Older People." Canadian Journal on
Aging 7: 17-31 .
Salins, P. (1971) "Household Location Patterns in American Metropolitan
Areas," Economic Geography 47:234-48.
Scholen, Ken and Yung-Ping Chen (eds.) (1980) Unlocking Home Equity for the
Elderly. Cambridge, Mass.: Ballinger.
Schulz, R. and G. Brenner (1977) "Relocation of the Aged: A Review and
Theoretical Analysis," Journal of Gerontology 32(3):323-33.
Shapiro, E. andR. Taite (1988) "Who Is Really at Risk of Institutionalization?"
The Gerontologist 28:237-45.
Speare, A. (1970) "Home Ownership, Life Cycle and Residential Mobility,"
Demography 7449-65.
Statistics Canada (1987) "The General Social Survey Analysis Series, Health and
Social Support" (Catalogue 11-612E). Ottawa: Ministry of Supply and Ser-
Downloaded by [New York University] at 14:29 14 October 2014

vices.
Stephens, T. (1988) "Conclusions From Canada's Health Promotion Survey, Can-
ada's Health Promotion Survey: Technical Report," Ottawa: Canada Ministry
of Supply and Services.
Streib, G . E, W. E. Folts and M. A. Hilker (1984) Old Homes-New Families:
Shared Living for the Elderly. New York: Columbia University Press.
Struyk, Raymond J. and Harold M. Katsura (1987) Journal of Housing for the
Elderly (Special Issue) 4(2): 1-192.
Taylor, Hedley (1987) "Growing Old Together: Elderly Owner-Occupiers and
Their Housing," London: Centre for Policy on Ageing (Policy Studies in
Ageing, No. 6).
United Senior Citizens of Ontario (1985) "Elderly Residents in Ontario: Their
Current Situations and their Interest in Various Housing Options," Toronto:
Ontario Minister for Senior Citizens Affairs.
Van Horne, R. (1986) "ANew Agenda: Health and Social Service Strategies
for Ontario's Seniors." Toronto: Ontario Ministry for Senior Citizens'
Affairs.
Varady, D. (1984) "Determinants of Interest in Senior Citizen Housing Among
the Community Resident Elderly," The Gerontologist 24:392-95.
Wheeler, Rose (1982) "Staying Put: A New Development in Policy?" Aging and
Society 2(3):298-329.
Winston, Ellen (1975) "Homemaker-Home Help Services to the Elderly: Efforts
to Maintain Independent Living" in International Federation on Aging, Home
Help Services for the Aging Around the World. Washington, D. C.: The In-
ternational Federation on Aging.
Wiseman, R. G . (1980) "Why Older People Move: Theoretical Issues," Research
on Aging 2:141-54.
 32 JOURNAL OF HOUSING FOR THE ELDERLY

Wister, A. V. (1985) "Living Arrangement Choices Among the Elderly," Cana-

dian Journal on Aging 4(3):127-44.
Wister, A. V. and T. K. Burch (1987) "Values, Perceptions, and Choice i n Living
Arrangements of the Elderly." In E. E Borgatta and R. J. V. Montgomery
(eds.) Crirical Issues in Aging Policy. Newburg Park, Calif.: Sage Publications.
LVkter, A. V. (1989) "Environmental Adaptation Among Persons in Their Later
Life," Research on Aging 1 1 (3): 267-292.
Downloaded by [New York University] at 14:29 14 October 2014

for !acul~/professionalswifh journal subscription recommendation

authority lor their inslitulionallibra~y. . .
Ifyou have read a reprint or photocopy 01 this article, would
you like to make sure that your library also subscribes lo
this journal? If you have Ihe authority lo recommend sub-
scriptions lo your,library, we will Send you a free sample
copy for review wtlh your librarian. Just fill oul Ihe form below-end make
lure that you type or wrlte out clearly both the name of the journal and
your own name and address.
( ) Yes, please send me a complimenlary sample copy of lhis journal:

(please write in complete journal title here-do no1 leave blank)

Iwill show this journal lo our lnslitulional or agency library for a possible
subscription.
The name of my inslilutionallagency libraty is:

INSTITUTION:
ADDRESS:
CIN: STATE: ZIP:
Return to: Sample Copy Depmmenl, The Haworth Press, Inc.,
10 Alice Slreet, Binghamton, NY 13904-1580