The expectations of elderly population from housing and housing enviroment in the context of aging in place: Case of Afyonkarahisar city

The 21st century is a period when global changes are experienced in the most concrete terms in terms of demographics. In particular, changes in demographic age structure gain a new dimension and meaning compared to societies where old age is observed. The importance of academic studies on the socioeconomic, social and spatial needs of the elderly is gradually increasing. The proportion of the population aged 65 and over in the total population in the world was 6% in 1990, and 9.1% in 2019. Turkey 9,1% of the total elderly population ratio in 2019, Afyonkarahisar elderly population ratio in urban and rural elderly population rate of 6.6% from 8.3%. It is understood that there are many national and international literature on aging. It has been determined that the studies in the national literature are mainly studies on rural aging. This study aims to determine the expectations of elderly people aged 65 and over from the house and its environment in the city center of Afyonkarahisar in the context of aging in place. It is also one of the few studies that reveal the individual-environment-space relationship in the context of urban aging and local aging. Various hypotheses have been created for the purpose of the research. In order to test the hypotheses, the elderly population in the sample area determined in the city was surveyed. Discovery/exploratory factor analysis was applied in the study. As a result of the factor analysis, housing facilities, house size, type of housing, toilet and bathroom use formed dimensions related to expectations from the house. Accessibility, proximity to services related to old age, socio-economic structure, environmental factors, social network and relationships constitute dimensions related to expectations from the housing environment. Living alone, marital status and household size have differentiated the elderly people's perspectives on housing size. The education level variable showed that elderly people have different expectations for accessibility to various services in the housing environment, socioeconomic structure, social network and relationships. The monthly income level has enabled the elderly to differentiate their perspective towards social networks and relationships in the housing environment. Keywords: Old age, Aging in Place, Housing and Housing Enviroment, Afyonkarahisar