Housing conditions and risk: reporting on a European study of housing quality and risk of accidents for older people

Abstract

With the projected increases in elderly populations across Europe, there will be an increasing share of the population over 65 years to the working-age population (aged 15-64 years). The declining capacities in older people often lead to limitations in activities of daily living and a simultaneous rising demand for care services. Many of these limitations in daily activities are to a varying degree caused, enhanced or facilitated by disadvantageous housing and environmental conditions. Home modifications have been credited as an important part of the solution. They may allow for an extended and safer use of the home, and may be considered an integral part of the health care system. In order to examine this issue in more detail, this paper provides empirical evidence on the type and extent of risks associated with accidents around the home. It reports on findings from a European case study on the difficulties using the home and risks of accidents which may lead to injury. It is argued that healthy housing conditions for the elderly are important to maximize the supportive capacity of one’s home, to stimulate active and healthy old age lifestyle, and to avoid unnecessary institutionalization.

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ORCID for Andrew Power: orcid.org/0000-0002-3887-1050

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