A Study on the Senior Housing based on Housing Preference Characteristics

Abstract

This study attempts to provide primary data on senior housing policies necessary for housing stability bydetermining which factors among housing preference characteristics the middle aged consider importantlyin the coming aged society. Referring to the previous studies, this study drew sub-items of housingpreference characteristics in the aspects of accessibility, economic feasibility, comfortableness, safety andsociality factors and analyzed the importance for each factor using analytic hierarchy process (AHP). The results showed that the experts perceive engaging in hobbies and leisure activities and socializing isimportant in the old age. Furthermore, with improvement of physical health due to advancement in themedical level, the seniors would also have more interest in using public facilities and leisure activitiesoutside of their houses. On physical characteristics of housing, as people have more concern for safetywhen they reach their old age, the interest in disaster prevention and safety equipments would increase. Meanwhile, the elderly with not high income have burden for housing maintenance expense, theconsideration for this issues would be necessary. Therefore, as people would prefer an environment where they can engage in hobbies and leisureactivities and socializing in the community even when they reach their old age, it would be necessary todevelop inexpensive small scale housing complex for the elderly which can provide such environment inthe public aspects for housing stability of the elderly. Especially the support and assistance at the level ofpolicies for senior welfare housing or silver town with the purpose of community formation and leisureactivity engagement would be helpful for improving stability and satisfaction of housing and would widenthe range of choice in housing for the elderly in the future.