Environmental Influence on Social Cohesion in Senior Living Facilities - Case Studies in Beijing and Shanghai

Zhe Wang (Henan University)

Global aging is taking place within the older population itself. China (23 million) and the USA (12 million) are the countries with the largest populations of people aged 80+. Demands on society for institution-based senior-living services grow. Many senior-living facility residents miss home and some suffer psychological problems. An important predictor of their health and well-being is social cohesion, which can be enhanced by engaging in social activities. Socio-environmental conditions in the facilities need to be investigated for the residents. Aim of this research is to identify environmental factors significant to residents’ social cohesion in senior-living facilities.

Common areas provide opportunities for people to meet, leading to enhanced social cohesion. Nearby outdoor environments are introduced for active living including social activities. Natural light perceived indoors has been found to influence older adults’ engagement in physical and social activities. Window design impacts natural lighting. It is hypothesized that indoor/outdoor common areas and windows in senior-living facilities influence residents’ social cohesion.

Data was collected from 8 senior-living facilities in Beijing and Shanghai through on-site observation and questionnaire survey. Personal (age, gender, IADL, education) and social factors (social cohesion, living arrangement and facility stay) of 385 residents were collected. Elevenfactors of the environments on the ground floor, the standard room floor, and outdoors were measured, including area size, window size and orientation. Bivariate and multivariate analyses were conducted to identify significant factors.

Both room-floor and ground-floor factors influence social cohesion. Larger common areas at the room floor, more south-facing or east-facing windows, and smooth indoor-outdoor connection contribute to social cohesion. These can be used for future development of senior-living environments promoting health and welling. Future studies on social cohesion should incorporate more cultural-balanced and ethnically diverse samples. More research is needed regarding social cohesion in senior-living facilities in the USA.

1. To identify environmental design factors important to social cohesion in senior-living facilities.
2. To explore the opportunities to engage environmental design solutions promoting social cohesion in senior-living facilities.
3. To learn the specific ways to optimize environmental design at the site, building, and room levels for elderly residents’ social cohesion and mental health.
4. To explore the experience of professionals and the elderly to promote social cohesion and mental health in older adults.