Abstract
Korean society expects to be changing into aged society more rapidly than any other countries due to low birthrate and increase in life expectancy. Increasing number of elderly and social problems of aging society have provoked increase in research on elderly environment. Elderly housing facilities and living conditions are significantly related to the quality of life for older persons. The purpose of this study is to systematically analyze empirical studies on elderly physical environments in Korea, find out research streaming and understand social backgrounds and to suggest future research problems. For this study, contents analysis was conducted. Articles of four academic peer reviewed journals published from 1986 to 2005 were units of analysis. Using a keyword through library database systems, the articles were systematically selected. As results, trends of research according to 4 periods were defined. Among them as major trends, expansion of the quantity, expansion to interior design features for older persons, more facility types for dependent elderly(assisted living facilities, facilities for elderly with dementia, long term care facilities) have appeared. This result showed some directions and implications on elderly facility planning and development.
