Livable Community From Door to Door: A Week in the Lives of Older Oxford, Ohio, Women

Degree: Master of Gerontological Studies, Miami University, Gerontology, 2008.
Abstract: The purpose of this case study is to identify how older adults assess the livability of Oxford, Ohio, in terms of the physical environment. For one week, fourteen women, Oxford residents age 75-98, photographed the built and natural environment that represents different aspects of press in their daily activities; they kept an accompanying journal and were interviewed face-to-face and in a nine-month follow-up telephone interview. Analysis of the data revealed several patterns. These women want to age in place, maintain civic engagement and social connection and continue to be active and healthy. In spite of a number of environmental barriers these participants, whose individual capacities differ, use adaptive behaviors to access the community. They adapt in some cases without support, but some use both informal support and paid support to manage their everyday mobility challenges. Meanwhile, environmental barriers threaten the accessibility and livability of the community.
Subject Headings: Gerontology
Keywords: livability; livable communities; aging in place; gerontology; environmental gerontology
Committee / Advisors: Kathryn McGrew, PhD (Advisor)
Suzanne Kunkel, PhD
Jennifer Kinney, PhD
Pages: 93p.

Document number: miami1228510031
Permalink: http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=miami1228510031