An Explorative Study of the Political, Economic, and Social Factors Influencing the Development of Senior Housing: A Case Study of Hong Kong

Senior housing with age-friendly design and elderly care services contributes to the health and well-being of older people. Previous research has evidenced that the immediate environment factors of senior housing, such as the design of housing features and facilities, have a direct bearing on the satisfaction and quality of life of older people. However, external environment factors, such as political, economic, and social ones that affect key stakeholders' behaviors in senior housing development, are relatively under-researched. Accordingly, this study aimed to explore the external environmental factors influencing the development of senior housing. Taking Hong Kong as case study, this study first commenced with a systematic review to identify the factors in political, economic, and social domains from global evidence. Following this, we interviewed local experts from academia, industry, and government to solicit their opinions on the relative importance of these factors. We then determined the factor rankings using the analytical hierarchy process method. The results showed that local experts perceived economic factors as the most critical ones in influencing senior housing development in Hong Kong, including land costs, funding from financial institutions, and government incentives. If policymakers tend to promote senior housing in densely populated cities like Hong Kong, the policies should be attractive for housing developers, such as land premium concessions and innovative financial channels for supporting the long-term development of senior housing. © 2023 by the authors.

Elderly people's knowledge and preventive practices about COVID-19 / Saberes e práticas preventivas de pessoas idosas sobre a COVID-19

RESUMO Objetivo compreender os saberes e as práticas preventivas de pessoas idosas sobre a COVID-19. Métodos pesquisa qualitativa e desenvolvida com 11 pessoas idosas residentes em um condomínio do idoso. Dados obtidos com uso da técnica de entrevistas individuais e, a seguir, submetidos à análise lexicográfica por meio da Classificação Hierárquica Descendente utilizando o software IRaMuTeQ®; e discussão à luz da literatura sobre COVID-19. Resultados emergiram seis classes: Construindo saberes e práticas preventivas sobre a COVID-19; Consequências emocionais; Práticas preventivas e de controle; Reconhecimento e importância das estratégias de prevenção; Impactos físicos, sociais e econômicos e Fatores de risco individuais e coletivos. Conclusão as pessoas idosas compreendem as consequências negativas da COVID-19, identificando os fatores de risco individuais e coletivos, apreendidos com base em vivências durante a pandemia, experiências prévias, diálogos e fontes de informação. Reconhecem a importância das práticas preventivas, realizando cuidados no ambiente domiciliar e urbano. Contribuições para a prática o estudo contribui positivamente para a assistência às pessoas idosas com a construção de conhecimentos acerca da COVID-19, sobretudo, no contexto de pessoas idosas residentes em um condomínio do idoso, sensibilizando e embasando os profissionais de saúde para planejarem e desenvolverem ações educativas problematizadoras, impactando na prática profissional.

ABSTRACT Objective to understand the knowledge and preventive practices of elderly people about COVID-19. Methods qualitative research developed with 11 elderly people living in a condominium for the elderly. Data were obtained using the technique of individual interviews and then submitted to lexicographic analysis by means of the Descending Hierarchical Classification using the software IRaMuTeQ®; and discussion in the light of the literature on COVID-19. Results six classes emerged: Building knowledge and preventive practices about COVID-19; Emotional consequences; Preventive and control practices; Recognition and importance of prevention strategies; Physical, social, and economic impacts; and Individual and collective risk factors. Conclusion the elderly understands the negative consequences of COVID-19, identifying the individual and collective risk factors, learned based on experiences during the pandemic, previous experiences, dialogues, and sources of information. They recognize the importance of preventive practices, carrying out care in the home and urban environment. Contributions to practice the study contributes positively to the care of the elderly with the construction of knowledge about COVID-19, especially in the context of elderly residents in a condominium for the elderly, sensitizing and grounding health professionals to plan and develop problematizing educational actions, impacting on professional practice.

An Empirical Analysis of the Residential Satisfaction among Public Housing for the Elderly with Seniors Welfare Center-Focused Panel data in Case of the Public Housing for the Elderly in Suwon City Gwanggyo

This study aims to examine the difference of the influencing factors on the Residential Satisfaction among Public Housing for the Elderly with Seniors Welfare Center Before and after COVID-19. Also this study used multiple regression and a paired difference analysis by using 80 persons panel data as an empirical study by Post Occupancy Evaluation for 2 years. The research results revealed several features. First, the satisfaction of ‘unit design’ variables increased and the satisfaction of ‘Community Service Facilities’ variables decreased after COVID-19. Second, there are no significant differences on the satisfaction of ‘Management’ variables among programs, the satisfaction of ‘expenses’ variables decreased and the satisfaction of ‘Social Activities’ variables increased after COVID19 on the contrary. Third. there are significant differences in unit design factor, expenses factor, Social Activities factor and accessibility on the Residential Satisfaction among Public Housing for the Elderly with Seniors Welfare Center after COVID-19. The ‘Defect Repair’ and ‘Kindness Of Employee’ variables on management factor and The ‘Pubic Sports Facilities’ and ‘Performing Arts Facilities’ variables on Neighborhood Facilities factor are important regardless of COVID 19. Last, the most inflencial factor on the Residential Satisfaction among Public Housing for the Elderly with Seniors Welfare Center is ‘unit design’ factor and second is ‘Social Activities’ factor. © 2021 Architectural Institute of Korea.

Feasibility, Acceptability, and Performance of a Continuous Temperature Monitor in Older Adults and Staff in Congregate-Living Facilities.

OBJECTIVES: Residents of congregate-living facilities are susceptible to disability and mortality from infection given the presence of advanced age, multimorbidity, and frailty-as demonstrated in the recent COVID pandemic. This study assessed the feasibility, acceptability, and applicability of a continuous temperature monitoring device in a congregate-living facility with residents of independent living, assisted living, and their care-providing staff. We hypothesized that a wearable device compared with daily manual temperature assessment would be well tolerated and more effective at detecting temperature variances than current standard of care body temperature assessment. DESIGN: Feasibility study. SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: Residents of assisted and independent living and staff of a retirement community. METHODS: Thirty-five participants, including residents in assisted- and independent-living facilities (25) and staff (10) were enrolled in a 90-day feasibility study and wore a continuous temperature sensor from March to July 2021. Primary outcomes included study completion, ability to reapply the sensor, temperature data acquisition, and data availability from the sensors. A secondary analysis of the temperature data involved comparing the method of obtaining temperature using the continuous monitoring device against standard of care using traditional manual thermometers. RESULTS: Overall, 91.3% of residents, who were in the study during the first reapplication, were able to apply the device without assistance (21 of 23), and 80% of resident participants completed the study (20 of 25). For staff participants, completion rates and reapplication rates were 100%. Data acquisition rates from the continuous temperature devices were much higher than manual temperatures. Four episodes of fever were detected by the devices; manual temperature checks did not identify these events. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: Continuous temperature monitoring in an older adult population and the staff in congregate-living facilities is feasible and acceptable. This approach identified fever undetected by current standard of care indicating the capability of this device for earlier detection of fevers.

Choosing and Managing Aged Care Services from Afar: What Matters to Australian Long-Distance Care Givers.

This research aims to identify the factors that influence caregivers' decisions about the aged care providers they select for their elder relatives when caring from a distance and what they value once they have engaged a service. Adult long-distance carers for older relatives living within Australia were purposively sampled and they participated in audio-recorded interviews. A thematic analysis was employed to investigate the data. A sample of 13 participants enabled data saturation with no new major themes identified in the final three interviews. Participants were 50 to 65 years (Mean = 59.8) and mostly (77%) female. Four themes emerged relating to selection of care providers: (1) availability of care, (2) financial arrangements, (3) proximity and location, and (4) reputation of care provider. Five themes detailed valued qualities of care: (1) vigilant monitoring and responsivity, (2) communication with family, (3) flexibility and proactiveness of care, (4) staffing, and (5) access to appropriate and holistic care to maintain wellbeing. Long-distance caregivers face barriers in selecting and managing aged care services from afar within a complex Australian aged care system. They strongly value regular, proactive communication about the wellbeing of their relatives and may be particular beneficiaries of communication and assistive monitoring technologies.

Health Impacts of the Stay-at-Home Order on Community-Dwelling Older Adults and How Technologies May Help: Focus Group Study.

BACKGROUND: As of March 2021, in the USA, the COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in over 500,000 deaths, with a majority being people over 65 years of age. Since the start of the pandemic in March 2020, preventive measures, including lockdowns, social isolation, quarantine, and social distancing, have been implemented to reduce viral spread. These measures, while effective for risk prevention, may contribute to increased social isolation and loneliness among older adults and negatively impact their mental and physical health. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to assess the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting "Stay-at-Home" order on the mental and physical health of older adults and to explore ways to safely increase social connectedness among them. METHODS: This qualitative study involved older adults living in a Continued Care Senior Housing Community (CCSHC) in southern California, USA. Four 90-minute focus groups were convened using the Zoom Video Communications platform during May 2020, involving 21 CCSHC residents. Participants were asked to describe how they were managing during the "stay-at-home" mandate that was implemented in March 2020, including its impact on their physical and mental health. Transcripts of each focus group were analyzed using qualitative methods. RESULTS: Four themes emerged from the qualitative data: (1) impact of the quarantine on health and well-being, (2) communication innovation and technology use, (3) effective ways of coping with the quarantine, and (4) improving access to technology and training. Participants reported a threat to their mental and physical health directly tied to the quarantine and exacerbated by social isolation and decreased physical activity. Technology was identified as a lifeline for many who are socially isolated from their friends and family. CONCLUSIONS: Our study findings suggest that technology access, connectivity, and literacy are potential game-changers to supporting the mental and physical health of older adults and must be prioritized for future research.

Early Intervention Reduces the Spread of COVID-19 in Long-Term Care Facilities in the Republic of Korea.

This study describes the epidemiological characteristics of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) based on reported cases from long-term care facilities. As of April 20th, 2020, 3 long-term care facilities in a metropolitan area of South Korea had reported cases of COVID-19. These facilities' employees were presumed to be the sources of infection. There were 2 nursing hospitals that did not report any additional cases. One nursing home had a total of 25 cases, with an attack rate of 51.4% (95% CI 35.6-67.0), and a fatality rate of 38.9% (95% CI 20.3-61.4) among residents. The results from this study suggest that early detection and maintenance of infection control minimizes the risk of rapid transmission.

The Coronavirus and the Risks to the Elderly in Long-Term Care.

The elderly in long-term care (LTC) and their caregiving staff are at elevated risk from COVID-19. Outbreaks in LTC facilities can threaten the health care system. COVID-19 suppression should focus on testing and infection control at LTC facilities. Policies should also be developed to ensure that LTC facilities remain adequately staffed and that infection control protocols are closely followed. Family will not be able to visit LTC facilities, increasing isolation and vulnerability to abuse and neglect. To protect residents and staff, supervision of LTC facilities should remain a priority during the pandemic.