Aging in the right place for housing insecure older people: A conceptual framework

Weldrick, R., Canham, S.L., Mahmood, A., Sussman, T., Walsh, C. (2021). Aging in the right place for housing insecure older people: A conceptual framework. [paper presentation]. Canadian Association on Gerontology 2021 Annual Scientific Meeting. Virtual.

Abstract

Emerging research has highlighted the significance of aging in the right place (AIRP) by recognizing that secure and optimal housing should support an individual’s unique vulnerabilities, values, and lifestyles. Existing literature, however, has yet to conceptualize what it means for older people experiencing homelessness and/or housing insecurity to age-in-the-right-place. In order to address this knowledge gap, our team developed an AIRP framework for housing insecure people by extracting critical identifiers from the literature. Refinements to the model were made following consultation with interdisciplinary scholars and stakeholders in the fields of aging, poverty and housing and a document review of three innovative housing programs. This paper presents the resulting conceptual framework and outlines the key indicators of AIRP relevant to housing insecure older people. For instance, indicators related to case management, affordability, and practical life skills (e.g., financial management, home cleaning supports) were found to be particularly pertinent to the experience of AIRP for housing insecure older people. The proposed framework provides a practical and meaningful contribution to the literature which can be used to promote housing security among individuals often excluded from existing aging-in-place models.