Indoor Environmental Quality in Aged Housing and Its Impact on Residential Satisfaction Among Older Adults: A Case Study of Five Clusters in Sichuan, China

Siqi Yang, Taoping Bai, Lin Feng, Jialu Zhang and Wentao Jiang ()
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Siqi Yang: School of Architecture and Environment, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610065, China
Taoping Bai: School of Architecture and Environment, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610065, China
Lin Feng: School of Architecture and Environment, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610065, China
Jialu Zhang: School of Architecture and Environment, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610065, China
Wentao Jiang: School of Architecture and Environment, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610065, China

Sustainability, 2025, vol. 17, issue 11, 1-21

Abstract: Current research on aged housing prioritizes community planning and environmental enhancement over older adults’ needs, creating a retrofit mismatch amid population aging. To investigate the relationship between indoor environmental quality and residential satisfaction among elderly occupants, this study examines 72 households in aged residential buildings, analyzing four environmental indicators (thermal, lighting, acoustic environments, and air quality). The environmental measurements reveal that 81.9% of thermal environment parameters fall below the ASHRAE-55 comfort range, with winter average temperatures reaching only 13.94 °C. Insufficient illumination exists in kitchen and bedroom areas. Lifestyle patterns including infrequent air conditioning use (87%) and window ventilation substituting range hoods (32%) may deteriorate thermal comfort and air quality. An ordered logistic regression analysis demonstrates significant correlations between all four environmental indicators and elderly satisfaction levels. Thermal comfort emerges as the priority focus for aging-adapted retrofitting. Air quality improvement shows particularly significant potential for enhancing residential satisfaction. Although prolonged window opening (73%) exacerbates low-temperature/high-humidity conditions and noise exposure, it still contributes positively to overall satisfaction. This research provides crucial insights for aligning aged residential retrofitting with home-based elderly care requirements, promoting housing development that better accommodates the lifestyle patterns of older populations, thereby improving quality of life for aging-in-place residents.

Keywords: aged residential buildings; older adults; indoor environment; residential satisfaction; ordered logistic regression (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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