The overall goal of the project is to generate knowledge on the preconditions for successful ageing in place and based on this knowledge, to suggest measures for implementing ageing in place policies in Norwegian municipalities. The background for the project is demographic changes that are increasing pressure on elderly care services. To reduce the demand for (costly) services and improve the quality of life for older people, the authorities have a strong focus on developing policies that can facilitate older people to live safely in their homes for as long as possible. Ageing in place is understood as an interaction between older people and their environment and is explored and explained across different groups of older people in relation to housing and surroundings, social networks, access to formal and informal care, technology, and the personal characteristics.
The project is organized into 6 work packages. WP1 includes a literature review mapping ageing in place policies and practices both nationally and internationally. In WP2, data collection has been completed among 3,967 participants aged 45–67, all of whom have at least one living parent, to examine the parents' ability to adapt their housing situation to old age. In WP3, a case study conducted in a municipality and an urban district in Oslo explores the underlying mechanisms influencing experiences of social isolation and loneliness, as well as the interventions and services aimed at mitigating these issues among older adults receiving home care services. In WP4, we interviewed healthcare professionals (N=38), older adults (N=16), and relatives (N=12) across four municipalities and districts to explore how services can enable older adults to age safely at home. Preliminary analyses reveal ambiguity in the division of responsibilities between municipalities, older adults, and relatives, and in what these responsibilities entail. Municipalities are responsible for providing services and support, while older adults are expected to make active decisions regarding housing and ageing-related preparation. This dual ambiguity creates challenges in access to services, support for relatives, and the person-environment fit. To promote safe and independent aging, municipalities should strengthen older adults’ “Independence Literacy” – the ability to understand, plan, and make informed decisions about housing, health, and functionality – through increased emphasis on preventive and proactive services. WP5 investigates family caregiving for older adults living at home. A survey of 3,967 respondents aged 45–67 examined both the housing situations of older parents and the extent of family caregiving. Findings show that families provide various forms of practical support, with potential for increased involvement. Notably, 70% reported a willingness to provide more care if public services fall short, and 40% were prepared to make major life changes to do so. Respondents also emphasized the need for stronger municipal support for caregivers, which could reduce reliance on costly institutional care.
WP6 will synthesize findings from WP1–WP5 and, through co-creation with participating municipalities and districts, develop a handbook offering guidance for safe aging at home. The project team includes researchers in housing, eldercare (formal and informal), and public service innovation, collaborating with two Oslo districts, one medium-sized municipality, and one small rural municipality.
The primary objective of the project (AgePlace) is to generate knowledge on the preconditions for successful ageing in place (AIP) and, based on this knowledge, to suggest measures for implementing AIP policy in Norwegian municipalities.
Background: Trends in population ageing put a strain on countries’ health and care services. To reduce the demand for (expensive) health and care services and improve older people’s quality of life, authorities in many countries champion AIP, understood as a policy aiming to enable older people to live in their own homes for as long as possible. In Norway, municipalities have the main responsibility for providing long-term care, regardless of age. AgePlace aims to generate knowledge that municipalities can use in their work with strategy and policy to enable AIP.
The project will investigate AIP based on a broad definition and complex theoretical approach, highlighting AIP as an interaction between older people and the environment. AIP will be explored and explained across groups of older people in relation to place, social networks, support, technology and personal characteristics.
The project may inform AIP policies in Norway, a country with municipalities with highly divergent characteristics in terms of demography, built environment, health and care services, and activities and support from NGOs. Based on an analysis of qualitative and quantitative data methods, the project will develop an AIP handbook that local governments can use to assess the degree of ageing in place enablement in different societal spheres and policy fields. To capture the complexity, researchers on housing, elderly care, and innovation from different disciplines (sociology, welfare research, health science, epidemiology and innovation in the public and private sector) will collaborate with four municipalities/boroughs in the project.
