A study in the use of space for elderly with independent sufficient levels

Human life is being prolonged with developments in the world. This situation leads to an increase in the general average age and an increase in the proportion of the elderly population. In general, as well as in many parts of the world, the proportion of the elderly population is increasing in our country. In consequences of the changes in the physiological and psychological state of the aging individual, there are being changes in environmental requirements. Therefore, new demands are being emerged in terms of the architectural environment that constitutes daily life. Different requirements are being arisen regarding planning, architectural environment and design. Considered from an architectural perspective, these requirements lead to new demands for both dwellings and in retirement residences. Many physical (disabilities, muscle diseases, etc.) and mental (dementia, Alzheimer's, etc.) disorders may occur in advancing ages. Each of these disorders constitutes different types of health, environment and space requirements. For this reason, the study has been limited to elderly individuals whose level of competence defined as an independent. The study aims to measure the satisfaction of the elderly individuals, whose level of competence defined as independent, in line with the spatial requirements. In addition, the preferences for dwellings and retirement residences to be made in response to increasing demands are being determined in the scope of the study. There is no completed example of residential facilities for the elderly individuals in our country. Therefore, in the scope of the study, opinions of the utilisers have been evaluated by the surveying methods in order to determine the future preferences for such investments and creating better spatial environments according to this. In the introduction chapter of the research, the definition of the problem, the purpose, scope, and the research method and the hypotheses are being explained. In the second part of the research, the concepts of elderly and old age that constitute the basis of the subject are being defined, and the history and variation of aging are being discussed in the context of spatial literature. In the third section, the independent elderly individual who ages in place and elderly housing which is the scope of the research is being discussed extensively. In the fourth chapter, the data of the research and the comments in the context of the literature are being presented. Data analysis of the questionnaire applied to elderly individuals was conducted and both hypotheses and significance levels were tested. In the conclusion and evaluation section, the relationship between the data obtained and the hypotheses determined at the beginning of the study is being evaluated. Suggestions are being made in line with the preferences and perspectives for the latest elderly residences to increase the spatial quality and life quality for the projects which will be planned to be constructed.