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Assessment of and Improvement Strategies for the Housing of Healthy Elderly: Improving Quality of Life

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  • I-Ming Feng

    (College of Creative Design, Asia University, 500 Lioufeng Rd., Wufeng, Taichung 41354, Taiwan)

  • Jun-Hong Chen

    (College of Creative Design, Asia University, 500 Lioufeng Rd., Wufeng, Taichung 41354, Taiwan)

  • Bo-Wei Zhu

    (Faculty of Humanities and Arts, Macau University of Science and Technology, Avenida Wai Long, Taipa 999078, Macau, China
    Graduate Institute of Urban Planning, College of Public Affairs, National Taipei University, 151, University Rd., San Shia District, New Taipei City 23741, Taiwan)

  • Lei Xiong

    (College of Creative Design, Asia University, 500 Lioufeng Rd., Wufeng, Taichung 41354, Taiwan)

Abstract

Global population is aging, particularly in developed countries and cities. Through the “Friendly Elderly Cities” and “Aging in Place” initiatives, various countries are making great efforts to improve the welfare and quality of life of the elderly, with the aim of catering to the physical and spiritual health as well as social welfare of the elderly. In this regard, the improvement of the housing environment of the elderly is one of the key factors in their quality of life and health. This study aims to effectively assess and improve the housing environment of the elderly in order to enhance their quality of life; it also aims to contribute the knowledge about improving elderly housing by applying an assessment framework using expert interviews and data collected from relevant literature. Using a mixed Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis model, a combination of the DEMATEL (Decision Making Trial and Evaluation Laboratory)-based ANP (Analytic Network Process) (DANP) and the modified VlseKriterijumska Optimizacija I Kompromisno Resenje (VIKOR) methods, and the investigations and assessments in the case study, this study proposes strategies and directions for improving elderly housing. The study results indicate that, as distinct from using traditional methodologies where the hypothesis criteria are mutually independent, the proposed hybrid model (examining real-life problems by considering the mutual influences of factors) identifies a priority sequence wherein emphasis is placed on improving ventilation and air quality rather than adjustment of temperature. The systemic way of thinking shifts the focus from the most apparent problems to the root cause of the problems. Doing so avoids any mismatch of resource allocation in decision-making and thus maximizes the efficiency and sustainability of the improvement.

Suggested Citation

  • I-Ming Feng & Jun-Hong Chen & Bo-Wei Zhu & Lei Xiong, 2018. "Assessment of and Improvement Strategies for the Housing of Healthy Elderly: Improving Quality of Life," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(3), pages 1-32, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:10:y:2018:i:3:p:722-:d:135009
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

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    2. Emma Mulliner & Mike Riley & Vida Maliene, 2020. "Older People’s Preferences for Housing and Environment Characteristics," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(14), pages 1-25, July.
    3. Zan Yang & Yuqi Fu, 2019. "Physical Attributes of Housing and Elderly Health: A New Dynamic Perspective," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(24), pages 1-14, December.
    4. Tien-Li Chen & Chin-Chuan Chen & Yen-Ching Chuang & James J. H. Liou, 2020. "A Hybrid MADM Model for Product Design Evaluation and Improvement," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(17), pages 1-22, August.
    5. Marius Constantin PROFIROIU & Carmen Valentina RADULESCU & Sorin BURLACU, 2019. "Aspects Of Quality Of Life In Urban Areas Of The European Union," Proceedings of Administration and Public Management International Conference, Research Centre in Public Administration and Public Services, Bucharest, Romania, vol. 15(1), pages 3-11, October.
    6. Sung-Shun Weng & Yang Liu & Yen-Ching Chuang, 2019. "Reform of Chinese Universities in the Context of Sustainable Development: Teacher Evaluation and Improvement Based on Hybrid Multiple Criteria Decision-Making Model," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(19), pages 1-23, October.
    7. Tzen-Ying Ling & Hsien-Tsung Lu & Yen-Pin Kao & Szu-Cheng Chien & Hung-Chou Chen & Li-Fong Lin, 2023. "Understanding the Meaningful Places for Aging-in-Place: A Human-Centric Approach toward Inter-Domain Design Criteria Consideration in Taiwan," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(2), pages 1-21, January.
    8. Jingyu Yu & Guixia Ma & Shuxia Wang, 2021. "Do Age-Friendly Rural Communities Affect Quality of Life? A Comparison of Perceptions from Middle-Aged and Older Adults in China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(14), pages 1-13, July.
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    10. Jung-A Park & Byungsook Choi, 2021. "Factors Affecting the Intention of Multi-Family House Residents to Age in Place in a Potential Naturally Occurring Retirement Community of Seoul in South Korea," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(16), pages 1-22, August.

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