The Role of the Socio-Physical Environment on Aging in Place for Older Adults in Cohousing and Naturally Occurring Retirement Communities

The purpose of this study was to gain an understanding of the influence of the physical and social environment of home and neighbourhood on aging in place processes among older adults in NORC and cohousing communities in Canada. Specifically, it had two objectives and multiple associated research questions. The first objective of this study was to understand older adults’ perspectives of the influence of social and physical environments on their ability to age in place in NORC and cohousing communities. The second objective of this study was to gain an in-depth understanding of the processes in which the physical and social environments act as barriers and facilitators in aging in place for older adults in NORC and cohousing communities.