Socio-Spatial Integration of Older Adults in Four Types of Residential Environments in Israel

Abstract

The socio-spatial integration of older people in different types of residential environments is a key factor affecting the well-being of older people. This study, which included a convenience sample of 565 participants, examined the socio-spatial integration of older people living in two different regional areas (central and peripheral) and four different residential environments (metropolitan hub, city, and town and rural settlements) in Israel. Willing participants were asked to complete a self-administered questionnaire. Socio-spatial integration was assessed by recognition of their neighbors and sense of belonging to the residential environment. The findings show that older adults who resided in the town and in rural settlements were more socio-spatially integrated in their living environments compared with their counterparts who resided in cities. The best predictors of socio-spatial integration were a combination of personal characteristics and characteristics of the environment (perceived accessibility) except for rural settlements, where none of the variables predicted socio-spatial integration.

Perceived Accessibility, Satisfaction with Daily Travel, and Life Satisfaction among the Elderly

“…This may indicate that, while there are differences in how these groups travel, e.g., frequency and mode use, they generally seem to be able to travel using modes that offer them acceptable levels of travel satisfaction and accessibility. However, this finding should be set in relation to previous studies which have come to the conclusion that levels of perceived accessibility decline with age [37,47] and that subjective factors (e.g., attitudes) are better predictors of levels of perceived accessibility than sociodemographic factors are [37]. Moreover, individuals with mobility impairments caused by aging have been found to experience significantly lower levels of accessibility than other impairment groups [48].…”

Perceived Accessibility to Services and Sites Among Israeli Older Adults

“…The questionnaire was based on previous studies (Vitman Schorr et al, 2013Schorr et al, , 2016. Prior to data collection, a pre-test was conducted with 10 older adults who were asked to complete the questionnaire.…”

“…Hence, part of being connected to a place is familiarity with the physical environment (Rowles, 1983). High connection and a sense of belonging to the living area have been found in some rural areas (Husband, 2001) but also in urban areas (Vitman Schorr et al, 2016). Familiarity with the living area means close acquaintance with the physical place.…”

“…The aim of this study was to examine perceived accessibility to services and sites in the home settlements by comparing perceived accessibility of older adults living in rural (kibbutzim; plural form of the word Kibbutz) versus urban mid-size cities. Such a comparison is important because the home settlement (in its wider context) has multiple implications for the lives of older adults (Vitman Schorr, Iecovich, & Alfasi, 2013;Vitman Schorr et al, 2016;Fitzgerald & Caro, 2014;Rowles, 1986;WHO, 2007). Perceived accessibility is essential for ensuring high quality of life in later life (Lotfi & Koohsari, 2009;Richard et al, 2008).…”

La participation sociale dans les résidences privées pour aînés

“…Plusieurs études ont permis de constater que le fait de participer aux activités de loisirs est primordial dans la création de liens entre les résidents (Barkay & Tabak, 2002;Curle & Keller, 2010;Kemp, Ball, Hollingsworth & Perkins, 2012;Park et al, 2012;Schorr, Iecovich, Alfasi & Shamai, 2015;Thomas et al, 2013). Ces auteurs soulignent notamment que l'implication des résidents dans leur milieu agirait comme facilitateur au développement de relations interpersonnelles.…”