title: Supporting housing and neighbourhoods for healthy ageing: findings from the Housing and Independent Living Study (HAIL).
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To identify the extent to which homes and neighbourhoods of older community-dwelling people are 'supportive'.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cross-sectional survey, in-home observation and interviews involving 202 participants (75-79 years). Measures included SF-36 health-related quality of life and Late Life Function and Disability Instrument (LLFDI) scores, and self-reported home usability, access, safety and neighbourhood. Associations between home and neighbourhood characteristics were assessed using χ(2) -tests, t-tests and Pearson correlations.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Older people rated neighbourhood satisfaction highly (3.0 men, 3.2 women; 4 being the highest score). Many homes failed objective adaptability and safety ratings, particularly bathrooms (80% did not have a shower grab rail, 77% did not have non-slip floors); 27% of homes scored ≥8 of 25 possible hazards. There were significant correlations between perceptions of housing and neighbourhood and SF-36 and disability scores.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Many homes and neighbourhoods may not accommodate increased frailty or disability of older people into the future.
authors: Research Centre for Gender, Health and Ageing, University of Newcastle, Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia; Hunter Medical Research Institute Public Health Capacity Building Group, University of Newcastle, Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia; Australian Longitudinal Study on Women's Health, University of Newcastle, Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia.
authors: Julie E
authors: JE
authors: Byles
authors: Lynette
authors: L
authors: Mackenzie
authors: Sally
authors: S
authors: Redman
authors: Lynne
authors: L
authors: Parkinson
authors: Lucy
authors: L
authors: Leigh
authors: Cassie
authors: C
authors: Curryer
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000375:Aging; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D016330:Frail Elderly / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D016852:Housing for the Elderly / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006801:Humans; D057187:Independent Living / Q000592:standards*; D008297:Male; D009517:New South Wales; D011788:Quality of Life; D012111:Residence Characteristics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
keywords: ageing; cohort study; community; housing; independent living