Progress 10/01/01 to 09/30/07
Outputs
OUTPUTS: Outcomes for the project titled "Effects of the Built Environment on Older Adults" include conference presentations concerning the research method as well as findings. Data collected as part of the Arkansas Poll (Living Arrangements of Older Adults) was analyzed and disseminated through radio broadcasts on KUAF, at the 24th Annual Arkansas Aging Conference, and through the Department of Political Science website. The Arkansas Health and Housing Survey was completed and data have been presented at three different international meetings of the Interior Design Educators Council and at three different international meetings of the Environmental Design Research Association. The Arkansas Governor's Task Force on Housing received a summary report of the AHHS data that was subsequently published online via studioaid.org. Data from the AHHS study has been and continues to be disseminated through peer reviewed journals and face-to-face presentations with stakeholders in Arkansas (home
builders, contractors, policymakers, and service providers). A new Model of Person Environment Fit has been presented at a national conference, forms the theoretical framework for a book on housing and disability in the south, and has been presented in classes in interior design, architecture, and rehabilitation sciences. There are plans to develop the data from the AHHS and the Person-Environment Fit model into educational modules for allied professionals in the building industry and to policy makers at the local, state, and national levels.
PARTICIPANTS: Nancy G. Miller, Associate Professor, School of Human Environmental Sciences, University of Arkansas; Naz Kaya, Assistant Professor, University of Georgia; Korydon H. Smith, Assistant Professor School of Architecture, University of Arkansas; Brent T. Williams, Assistant Professor, Department of Rehabilitiation Sciences, University of Arkansas. Funding provided for the Arkansas Health and Housing Survey: Arkansas Rehabilitation Services; Arkansas Dept. of Health & Human Services, Division of Aging and Adult Services, Centers for Medicare/Medicaid Services; UAMS, Partners for Inclusive Communities. Training provided for the Northwest Arkansas Home Builders Association and for the Governor's Taskforce for Affordable Housing.
TARGET AUDIENCES: Arkansas residents, home builders and contractors, home designers including architects, interior designers, furniture designers, kitchen and bath specialists, policy makers, legislators, and service providers.
Impacts
The healthcare and housing industries are the two largest economic forces and have the most extensive social and financial impacts on individuals and families in the United States. Current support systems for housing and healthcare for older adults and people with disabilities relies heavily on nursing home care and assisted living, both of which are costly and result in a lower quality of life. The research efforts revealed that while the overwhelming majority of Arkansans wish to live at home, they understand that they will experience significant decline in health over their lifespan. At the same time, Arkansans did not believe the design of their homes would impact their ability to live independently. The lack of understanding concerning independent living and environmental design indicates that extensive educational efforts are needed for policy makers, housing designers, and consumers. Equally important is the indication that design and construction must be
re-visioned to respond to not only the physical and emotional needs of an individual but to provide housing that is accessible financially to all Arkansans. Privacy in congregate living environments has been defined and the use of behavioral and physical mechanisms to create desired levels of privacy are better understood. There are clear indications that current design solutions do not support residents' perceived need for privacy. Recommendations for design standards can be made and improve satisfaction with congregate living environments. Data collected from a statewide sample on the Living Arrangements for Older Arkansans revealed that Arkansans believe that they wish to remain in their homes throughout the lifespan. This indicates that housing and service providers must be better prepared for the aging Baby Boom generation. Additionally, respondents indicate a lack of knowledge concerning the funding of later life medical care. Efforts must be made to educate consumers and
service providers alike.
Publications
- Smith, K. H., Williams, B. T., Webb, J. D. (2008). "Introduction" in Just Below the Line: A Primer on Housing, Disability, and Equity in the South, Korydon Smith, Jennifer Webb, Brent Williams, eds., University of Arkansas Press, Fayetteville, AR. (In press).
- Webb, J. D. and Miller, N. G. (2008). "Chapter 2: Defining Home," in Just Below the Line: A Primer on Housing, Disability, and Equity in the South, Korydon Smith, Jennifer Webb, Brent Williams, eds., University of Arkansas Press, Fayetteville, AR. (In press).
- Webb, J. D. and Smith, K. H. (2008). "Chapter 4: Defining Policy and Practice," in Just Below the Line: A Primer on Housing, Disability, and Equity in the South, Korydon Smith, Jennifer Webb, Brent Williams, eds., University of Arkansas Press, Fayetteville, AR. (In press).
- Webb, J. D., Smith, K.H., Williams, B.T., and Miller, N. G. (2008). "Chapter 5: Redefining Disability," in Just Below the Line: A Primer on Housing, Disability, and Equity in the South, Korydon Smith, Jennifer Webb, Brent Williams, eds., University of Arkansas Press, Fayetteville, AR. (In press).
- Williams, B.T., Smith, K.H., and Webb, J. D. (2008). "Chapter 8: Redefining Policy and Practice," in Just Below the Line: A Primer on Housing, Disability, and Equity in the South, Korydon Smith, Jennifer Webb, Brent Williams, eds., University of Arkansas Press, Fayetteville, AR. (In press).
- Smith, K.H., Williams, B.T. and Webb, J. D. (2008). "Conclusion" in Just Below the Line: A Primer on Housing, Disability, and Equity in the South, Korydon Smith, Jennifer Webb, Brent Williams, eds., University of Arkansas Press, Fayetteville, AR. (In press).
- Smith, K.H., Webb, J.D., Miller, N.G., and Williams, B.T. (2006) "Arkansas Health and Housing Survey 2006: Summary Report," http://studioaid.org/.
- Webb, J. D., Kaya, N. and Miller, N. G. (2005). Do Past Living Environments Influence Older Adults' Environmental Perception in Congregate Living Environments. Proceedings of the Interior Design Educators' Council International Conference. Savannah, Georgia.
- Webb, J.D., Miller, N.G., and Turner, J. (2004). Senior Living Arrangements: Findings from the 2003 Arkansas Poll. The Proceedings of the 24th Annual Arkansas Aging Conference, Hot Springs, Arkansas.
- Smith, K. H., Webb, J. D., and Williams, B. T. (2008). Just Below the Line: A Primer on Housing, Disability, and Equity in the South, University of Arkansas Press, Fayetteville, AR. (In press).
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Progress 01/01/06 to 12/31/06
Outputs
The healthcare and housing industries are the two largest economic forces and have the most extensive social and financial impacts on individuals and families in the US. The current support system, in terms of housing and healthcare for older adults and people with disabilities, relies heavily on nursing home care and various forms of assisted living. This type of living environment is problematic for two reasons: cost and perceived quality of life. Nursing home care is more than double that of in home care; nursing home care costs the federal government more than 150 billion dollars annually. The purpose of this research is to better understand the fit between the person and the built environment and, more specifically, the individual and his or her home. Investigators conducted the Arkansas Housing and Health Survey to examine housing preference and perceived health status across the state. The results indicate that while the overwhelming majority of Arkansans wish
to live at home, they understand that they will experience significant decline in health over their lifespan. At the same time, Arkansans do not believe the design of their homes will impact their ability to live independently. This disconnect suggests that most Arkansans will be poorly prepared as they approach later life and the demand for appropriate housing will create hardships on many indivduals and families. Investigators are preparing information to be disseminated across the state with several objectives. First, Arkansas' policy makers, housing designers, and consumers must be educated on the impact housing design has on individual's abilities to live independently. Second, housing designers and builders must be educated to a new standard that encompasses inclusive design for people of all ages and functionality. Finally, both design and construction must be re-visioned to respond to not only the physical and emotional needs of an individual but to provide housing that is
accessible financially to all Arkansans.
Impacts
Policy makers, housing designers, home builders, and consumers will be better informed as to the issues associated with creating equitable housing. Through the construction of housing that fulfills Arkansans' needs, state, federal and private funds can be shifted from costly nursing home care to provide basic, preventative healthcare for the state's residents.
Publications
- Webb, J.D., Smith, K.D.H., and Williams, B.T. (December, 2006). Perceptions of independent living: influences on the relationship between disability and design. Interdisciplinary Design Research Journal, Vol 1, no. 1. Retrievable from http://www.idrp.wsu.edu/googlefd44a7f0b1456374.html.
- Webb, J.D., Smith, K.H., and Miller, N.G. (May, 2006). Using Q-Sort to evaluate environmental components of home. Proceedings of the Environmental Design Research Association, 37th Annual Meeting, Atlanta, Georgia.
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