The Living Environment and Thermal Behaviours of Older South Australians: A Multi-Focus Group Study

Joost van Hoof, Helen Bennetts, Alana Hansen, Jan K. Kazak and Veronica Soebarto
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Joost van Hoof: Faculty of Social Work & Education, The Hague University of Applied Sciences, Johanna Westerdijkplein 75, 2521 EN Den Haag, The Netherlands
Helen Bennetts: School of Architecture and Built Environment, The University of Adelaide, North Terrace, Adelaide, SA 5005, Australia
Alana Hansen: School of Public Health, The University of Adelaide, North Terrace, Adelaide, SA 5005, Australia
Jan K. Kazak: Department of Spatial Economy, Faculty of Environmental Engineering and Geodesy, Wrocław University of Environmental and Life Sciences, ul. Grunwaldzka 55, 50-357 Wrocław, Poland
Veronica Soebarto: School of Architecture and Built Environment, The University of Adelaide, North Terrace, Adelaide, SA 5005, Australia

IJERPH, 2019, vol. 16, issue 6, 1-19

Abstract: Ageing brings about physiological changes that affect people’s thermal sensitivity and thermoregulation. The majority of older Australians prefer to age in place and modifications to the home environment are often required to accommodate the occupants as they age and possibly become frail. However, modifications to aid thermal comfort are not always considered. Using a qualitative approach this study aims to understand the thermal qualities of the existing living environment of older South Australians, their strategies for keeping cool in hot weather and warm in cold weather and to identify existing problems related to planning and house design, and the use of heating and cooling. Data were gathered via seven focus group sessions with 49 older people living in three climate zones in South Australia. The sessions yielded four main themes, namely ‘personal factors’, ‘feeling’, ‘knowing’ and ‘doing’. These themes can be used as a basis to develop information and guidelines for older people in dealing with hot and cold weather.

Keywords: seniors; older adults; temperature; elderly; housing; thermal sensation; thermal comfort; building services engineering; public health (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2019
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (7)

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