title: The meaning of "aging in place" to older people.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study illuminates the concept of "aging in place" in terms of functional, symbolic, and emotional attachments and meanings of homes, neighbourhoods, and communities. It investigates how older people understand the meaning of "aging in place," a term widely used in aging policy and research but underexplored with older people themselves.
  
  
  METHODS
  Older people (n = 121), ranging in age from 56 to 92 years, participated in focus groups and interviews in 2 case study communities of similar size in Aotearoa New Zealand, both with high ratings on deprivation indices. The question, "What is the ideal place to grow older?" was explored, including reflections on aging in place. Thematic and narrative analyses on the meaning of aging in place are presented in this paper.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Older people want choices about where and how they age in place. "Aging in place" was seen as an advantage in terms of a sense of attachment or connection and feelings of security and familiarity in relation to both homes and communities. Aging in place related to a sense of identity both through independence and autonomy and through caring relationships and roles in the places people live.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Aging in place operates in multiple interacting ways, which need to be taken into account in both policy and research. The meanings of aging in place for older people have pragmatic implications beyond internal "feel good" aspects and operate interactively far beyond the "home" or housing.
authors: Social & Community Health, University of Auckland, New Zealand. j.wiles@auckland.ac.nz
authors: Janine L
authors: JL
authors: Wiles
authors: Annette
authors: A
authors: Leibing
authors: Nancy
authors: N
authors: Guberman
authors: Jeanne
authors: J
authors: Reeve
authors: Ruth E S
authors: RE
authors: Allen
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009520:New Zealand; D026684:Personal Autonomy; D036301:Qualitative Research; D012111:Residence Characteristics; D012931:Social Environment