A Study on the Elderly Households' Needs for Housing Modification

노인가구 특성에 따른 주거개조요구에 관한 연구

This study aims to figure out the old people's needs for modification of their housing to maintain an independent lifestyle despite their health status and living arrangements. The total of 438 residents take part in the questionnaire survey research through the quota sampling method grouped by age (60-64 group, 65-69 group, 70-74 group, and over 75 group), sex (male and female), and house type (apartment houses and others). The results are as follows. (1) The old people's most inspired modification needs in interior spaces are remodeling the heating controls in the living room and the bedroom, ventilation facilities and storage spaces in the kitchen, non-slip tile flooring and ventilation facilities in bathroom, an easy door-lock, non-slip tile flooring, a draft cut-off, and storage spaces in the entrance. Besides they require emergency alarm, easy door and window locks, fire and gas alarm, and furniture with easy handling. It is necessary to supply the aged with the appropriate heating controls for their sensitivity to heat, with enough storage spaces for the increased possessions, and with diverse safety systems reflected blunting of mobility and sensibility. (2) As they grow older, the aged require more remote controls and safety facilities such as emergency alarm, easy locks and furniture with distinguishable colors. Male elderly is more concerned with safety, while female elderly do with convenience due to their different time spending in the house. The elderly residents in the apartment houses require the heating controls, a draft cut-off, and storage space less than other types of houses. Thus modification of the heating controls, a draft cut-off, and storage space are regards as basic needs for the elderly residents in non-apartment houses.