Survey of the Environment in Pension Institutions for Older Chinese

Tengfei Fan; Zhe Wang

China has the largest population of the oldest old (aged 80+). Advanced pension systems are proposed to promote senior living in China. Well-developed built environment of pension institutions would encourage older adults to move in and ensure their quality of life there. The trend of active living suggests health benefits from physical activity in green areas. Traditional Chinese horticultural therapies suggest botanical and horticultural activities for wellbeing. These activities can be promoted in pension institutions[1]. According to findings from previous research, features of the built environment influence residents’ behavior and living in pension institutions.

This study intends to find out applicable evidences for design through field research. The theoretical rationales include the Social Ecological Model[2] and the evidence-based design theory. The research sites of this study are 5 pension institutions in the city of Kaifeng, China. Data collection methods include interview, on-site observation, and questionnaire survey. The previously credited SOS questionnaire is used. With an emphasis on the outdoor environments, the specific factors include: outdoor space readability, spatial interconnection, spatial traversal, spatial diversity, and spatial aesthetics. The statistics software SPSS is used to analyze the data. By comparing and combing relevant data collected in field trips, researchers analyze different concerns, backgrounds and environments of each pension institution. Guiding opinions are put forward for designing better environments in pension institutions for the elderly.

There is a large room for China’s pension institutions to improve outdoor environments for residents’ physical, botanical and horticultural activities. Environmental improvements are needed in the aspects of barrier-free design, landscaping, lighting, and home-like decoration. Older Chinese have strong demands on outdoor environments for group activities, physical activity, and gardening. This study indicates that one reason why many older Chinese are reluctant to move in pension institutions is associated with insufficient environmental development in the institutions.

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