Dissertations / Theses on the topic 'Retirement village'

This study focuses on the experiences of older people living in a UK purpose-built retirement community – Denham Garden Village (DGV). The aim was to understand more about everyday life in this particular environmental context including how the environment and organisation of the village related to residents’ everyday experiences. Using a mixed methods approach, the study draws on quantitative survey data from the Longitudinal study of Ageing in a Retirement Community (LARC) and combines this with 20 in-depth qualitative interviews with residents living in DGV. Data analysis combined descriptive statistics for the quantitative data with qualitative themes. The dimensions of work-leisure, solitary-social, and community integration were used as a framework to explore how aspects of the environment and individual circumstances, attitudes and beliefs shape patterns of everyday life. The study found that decisions to move were frequently preceded by changes in personal situations. The social and spatial separation of DGV from the wider community maintained the village as an almost exclusively age-segregated environment. Opportunities for social contact were widespread, but levels of loneliness were no lower than in the general population. The diversity in residents’ situations, resources and experiences contrasted with shared community stories of the village as a community of ‘choice’. In addition, norms and expectations about levels of activity and engagement served, in some cases, to prompt feelings of obligation and guilt among residents. Findings suggest a need for more emphasis on the individuality of residents’ experiences of everyday life – both in terms of representing such diversity in publicity and marketing materials, and in working towards an ethos of respect, tolerance and acceptance within communities like DGV. It is suggested that future research could focus on ways to reduce the age-segregated nature of existing developments like DGV, enabling them to function as integrated parts of the wider community.

Older people have a greater array of choices for retirement living than any other generation before them. Deciding on where to live is a major dilemma for them. What are the factors that contribute to this making this life-changing decision? How do older people cope with the transition to new accommodation? This research considers the experience of older people who have made the shift to a retirement complex. It also contemplates their attitudes and perceptions and those of older people who may, at some point in their lives, have this decision taken from them and find they are directed into care. The focus of the research was to hear and record the ‘voice’ of a purposeful sample of older people by exploring their experience of shifting into one of four levels at retirement complexes; villa, serviced apartment, resthome or hospital. The research also delved into the attitudes towards a potential shift of those who remain in their family home. Thirty-five participants, ranging in age from 66 to 95-years were located into three groups according to their living situation. They were interviewed using an unstructured interview process and information from these interviews was catergorised into sixteen themes. The data were sifted through, in order to discover similarities and differences between participants and groups. Findings were then compared with available literature to offer further endorsement or to proffer an alternative perspective to the existing information. These findings also indicate areas where further research could be carried out to gain a more holistic oversight in order to reduce the stress for older people moving from their family home.

This thesis examines quotcustomer-focusedquot communication and resident participation within the retirement village sector which is one part of the increasingly quotmarketisedquot aged-care services in New Zealand. In this respect the sector is no different from other domains of consumer life where marketing-oriented organisations aim to find out what their customers want and give it to them. This research examines communication related to customer-focused organisational activities and residents' enactment of participation within retirement village organisation (RVO) settings with respect to these processes of marketisation. Taking a critical-interpretive perspective, the thesis undertakes a collective case study involving two major New Zealand RVOs. Both organisations were defined as quotretirement villagesquot within the meaning of the Retirement Villages Act 2003, established in the 1990s, and offered quotretirement livingquot independent housing and apartments across a range of locations. A significant part of the study also examined publicly available promotional material from six RVOs operating multiple sites in various New Zealand locations. This thesis explores retirement villages as co-productions between the corporate entities that develop and market villages and the residents who live in them. The thesis also explores RVO rhetoric about quotretirement living for active 55 plusquot, RVO enactment of customer focused communication and activities, and residents responses to and expectations of both. It is argued that this co-production has implications for residents' participation, their roles and relationships with employees, as well as for organisational communication processes and structures. The rhetorical and critical discourse analysis reveals the complexity of what quotparticipationquot means for the residents. Through a close examination of these meanings, the thesis extends current understandings of relationships between quotcustomersquot and quotcustomer-focusedquot organisations and highlights the role of older people in Western Society as co-producers of the very product they purchase: the retirement village. It also raises practical and theoretical issues for organisational communication. At the practical level it highlights how communication messages, structures and processes within RVOs experience tensions in meeting the needs of both internal, current, and long-term customers, and external, potential, and future customers. The thesis offers insights into issues of individual action and freedom within the frame of market-driven and avowedly quotcustomer-focusedquot organisations and consequently suggests a reconsideration of participation in organisations in which customers are also quotinsidersquot.

The world population is ageing, and this is also relevant to South Africa. At the same time the potential support ratio (the number of persons aged 15 to 64 years per one older person aged 65 years or older) is falling, and the dependency burden on potential workers increases. To alleviate the financial burden on the aged, and their families, it has become necessary to develop a financial plan to cover the cost of frail care. The overall purpose of this research is to determine whether any financial plans exist which are relevant. If nothing existed, a plan had to be developed. The research methodology for this study comprised the following steps: Firstly, the demographics of the world and South Africa were researched. The concept of frail (long-term) care in the United States of America and New Zealand was investigated to determine what is available. The subsidisation concept of the South African Government towards caring for the elderly was also investigated. Secondly, a questionnaire was sent to the residents of five retirement complexes in George to determine their interest in such a plan. The records of the frail care unit that these residents utilise were analysed to determine the number of residents needing frail care. A comparative study of the cost of frail care in the Southern Cape was undertaken. Thirdly, two options to partly subsidise the cost of frail care were examined, where the first option covers the running cost, and the second option, subsidising one third of the frail care cost, builds up a sustainable fund after the first five year period. The funds of the second option can then be utilised in the subsequent years to increase the subsidisation portion of frail care cost. The final step of this study entailed the formulation of recommendations to implement the frail care nursing levy as soon as possible, with special attention given to the following: a) It must be compulsory for new residents to join the fund. b) A yearly capital amount of R100 000 or more is needed to sustain the fund. c) A contract must be drafted to set out all the rules and regulations to the residents. d) An attitude change amongst some residents is required. Individuals must realise that the success of this plan depends upon themselves and with the necessary support could make a significant contribution towards their own peace of mind if and when frail care is needed.

The focus of this study is the investigation of Retirement Villages as a housing choice for older people. Retirement Villages, a selective form of gated community, provide homes for an age specific group and are a move away from the individual, suburban housing that New Zealanders have traditionally preferred. Growth has been rapid during the 1990s with around 3% of those over the age of 65 now living in Retirement Villages. A gap in the social research undertaken on the impact of these Villages on our society is apparent, especially the effect such a different form of housing has on older people. My thesis question consists of three main issues. The first explores how Retirement Villages are promoted; that is, what images are being used to "sell" the concept to prospective residents; the second explores the choices and constraints that make Retirement Villages a viable consideration for some and not for others; the third considers how residents experience Village life and whether their expectations and social needs are met. I used a qualitative methodology, interviewing a group of actual residents in two different Villages. My key findings argue that, assisted by recent social and economic changes, failing health and feelings of insecurity were the incentives for my participants to relocate. They talked about how their own life history/chances gave them options not available to everybody. The actual experience of living in a Village provided a support system for this group of residents enabling them to maintain independence. The idealism of the advertising in which Retirement Villages are portrayed as being able to meet all needs, did not equate to the actuality for my participants. Ongoing social relations within and beyond the Village were required. What Retirement Villages do, is provide a form of housing in which a group of people are given the ability to participate in life more fully because their anxieties had been lessened. A significant issue is the urgent need of legislation to protect residents more fully as extensive contracts do not guarantee protection. Changes in policy, by central and local government, has seen responsibility for housing being transferred to the older people themselves. This practice could lead to inadequate housing for those who cannot afford Retirement Village living.

A view. A path. These are the areas of investigation for this thesis. A residential structure is incorporated to analyze the impact that these two concepts have on the design process. The building project uses openings and structural direction to further emphasize the connection between building and site. The ability to continually connect with the site as one progresses through the structure, was an important aspect in the study. By the use of internal and external paths one can enjoy the site through covered openings. These openings are exposed to the natural elements, as well as those that are controlled by artificial systems. The direction in which the building is placed also intends for each resident to experience an outdoor view. As residents travel from one point to another, they can stop along a path and connect with the site and its surroundings.
Master of Architecture

This thesis will explain what an appropriate process for dispute resolution in a retirement village should look like. It will also evaluate how close to that ideal the model contained in the Retirement Villages Act 2003 (RVA) is. It will conclude that the Act model fails because at both steps in its dispute resolution process, it places one of the parties, the operator, in the position of selecting, ensuring independence and paying for a mediator and a disputes panel. This thesis also finds the lack of legal status for residents' committees deprives residents of a source of support and representation. The linchpin role in the Act, the statutory supervisor, also has a disputes resolution function. This thesis finds the role of statutory supervisor also lacks independence because the selection and payment for the role is placed with the operator. Evidence suggests a large share of the market is 'captured' by one Trustee Company that does not maintain independence from operators and may not communicate with residents at a level appropriate to the age of the resident population; the average age of retirement village residents in New Zealand is 83 years. The thesis also finds that mediation is not a suitable process for people in their later years, especially older women when the contested matters surround contractual rights and include on-going fees. The key finding in the thesis is that the Act is not fair or independent for residents.

This study explores the experiences of retirement village residents as they move from an independent to a supported living environment within a retirement village. It focuses on residents’ perceptions of their transitions and adopts a qualitative approach to understand the nature of their transitions and the way in which they are experienced. A grounded theory framework is used in order to capture the meanings that participants apply to concepts such as home, and to the physical, social, personal and veiled spaces in which they live. The findings from the study reveal that as residents’ health fails, the impact of increasing dependence is such that their sense of social and personal autonomy is gradually eroded. The research also provides insights into residents’ expectations and fears surrounding end of life. In many ways the experiences of the residents in supported living environments do not differ greatly from those of residents in any aged care facility. One major finding of this research, however, is the debilitating impact on well-being that occurs as a consequence of these transitions from independent to supported living, taking place within one physical location – the retirement village – a physical space which promises prospective residents the opportunity for active and positive ageing.

碩士
國立高雄餐旅大學
餐旅管理研究所
101
Taiwan was formally entered the "aging society" in the end of 1993, the elderly population grew from 9.02% in 2003 to 10.89% in 2011, and proportion of elderly population will be over 14% in 2019. It is estimated that Taiwan will enter the "aging society" defined by WHO. This study applied TPB model to investigate people’ intention for residing at retirement village. The purpose of this study is to explore whether personal “attitude”, “subjective norm” and “perceived behavior control” can affect the intention of those people who plan to reside at senior housing aside from senior housing’ “environmental facilities”. This essay mainly studies the group of people who residing at Chang Gung Health and Culture Village in Taoyuan County. A total of 314 valid questionnaires were obtained through purposive sampling. Questionnaires were used to exam the model of this research and the result showed that the fitness of this pattern is high. The results of this research are as follows: Senior housing’ “environmental facilities” and People’ “attitude”, “subjective norm” have positive influences on their behavior intention. Perceived behavior control has negative influences on behavior intention. In the dimension of personal backgrounds, “income”, “education”, “spouse education”, significantly differences were found. According to the results of this study, it can provide some suggestions for designing and building residential retirement villages based on the elders’needs.

Nowadays, seniors and foreigners are two growing market targets with a clear focus of attention. However, there is a gap when it comes to the existence of specific services for the combination of both, i.e. senior foreigners. Retired foreigners wishing to live in a country such as Portugal, where they can enjoy life pleasurably, become a target which analysis should be taken in consideration. In order to fill this market gap and simultaneously seize this market opportunity, a business case of a village, the Lx Village, for retired foreigners who aim living in Portugal will be presented.

The population of older persons has increased dramatically over the years in South Africa as well as internationally. As populations continue to age, the concept of active ageing has received increasing attention from researchers. Active ageing can be defined as the process of optimising older persons’ opportunities for health promotion, participation, and security in order to enhance their quality of life. In this definition, “health” refers to physical, mental, and social well-being. “Participation” refers to the optimisation of participation in activities such as employment, education, the arts, and religion, and “security” refers to ways in which the protection, dignity, and care of older persons can be maintained and improved. The distribution of older persons in South Africa by ethnic group is disproportionate with older white persons representing 21% of the total older population. Many of these white older persons reside in retirement villages resulting in their being populated by older white persons more so than by members of other ethnic groups. Retirement village policies and programmes generally incorporate an active ageing philosophy. However, most research on active ageing in retirement villages is conducted internationally, and, furthermore, it does not include the subjective experiences of older persons in these active environments. The aim of this research was therefore to explore the experiences of older residents in a retirement village with an active ageing approach. Barker’s behaviour setting theory and the continuity theory were applied in this study. The behaviour setting theory holds that the environment (retirement village) in which people function is important when explaining human behaviour and exploring the subjective experiences of older persons. The continuity theory rests on the premise that ageing is not a static process but rather an ongoing process and that continuity is a primary strategy used by people to deal with changes associated with ageing. According to this theory, people endeavour to continue with the psychological and social patterns they developed and adopted during their lifetimes. The study was conducted at a retirement village in Boksburg, Johannesburg (Gauteng, South Africa), that follows an active ageing approach, making it an ideal context for exploring the subjective experiences of older persons in an active ageing environment. The retirement village has a dedicated life style consultant who has developed specific programmes for every day of the week with time slots allocated for different activities in which older persons can participate. The programmes exclude frail people in the facility who cannot participate owing to their physical limitations. The director of the organisation that is responsible for many retirement villages, and this one in particular, contacted the researchers and asked them to explore the residents’ quality of life experiences so that the services provided to them could be adjusted if necessary. Ethical approval for the research was obtained from the Health Research Ethics Committee of the North-West University. The manager of the retirement village was also asked to distribute posters indicating the nature of the research. On the day of the data gathering, the participants were told about the research and that they would be required, if they wished to participate, to engage in individual interviews with the researchers and take part in the Mmogo-method®, a projective visual research method (Roos, 2008, 2012). The residents who agreed to participate gave their informed consent and confirmed that their participation was voluntary and they had been made aware that they could withdraw from the study at any time. Twenty participants were recruited for the study of whom 16 were women and four were men. The ages ranged between 65 and 80 years with an average age of 73. Two of the participants were English speaking, and the remainder were Afrikaans speaking. They were given the Mmogo-method® materials, which consisted of clay, straws, and colourful beads, and were invited to make visual representations of their lives and activities at the retirement village. The research request was, “Build something that describes your life here at the retirement village”. When all the participants had completed their visual representations, the representations were photographed and served as visual data. The researcher then asked each participant what he or she each had made and why he or she had made it. An informal group discussion was subsequently held with the 18 participants who had taken part in the Mmogo-method®. Individual in-depth interviews with two participants were conducted after the Mmogo-method® had been carried out. All the discussions were audiotaped and served as textual data. The visual data were analysed by getting the literal meanings of the visual representations from the participants in relation to the specific research request. The textual data were analysed thematically, which involved identifying, analysing, and reporting patterns or themes in the data. Different techniques, including crystallisation and member checking, were applied to ensure the trustworthiness of the research process and findings. The findings revealed that the participants were actively involved in a variety of activities on a daily basis. The activities included physical activities organised by the life style consultant or self-initiated activities such as playing tennis, doing line-dancing, going for brisk walks, working out in the gymnasium, and engaging in recreational activities such as fishing, reading, and scrapbooking. The objectives of these activities were to maintain joint flexibility, general health, and mental fitness. Some of the older residents had formalised roles in the retirement village, which they had previous experience of. The participants also took part in different social activities such as paying social visits and making friends. The spiritual activities of the participants were solitary as well as communal. The participants thus experienced the retirement village as a very busy environment with full schedules. In such an environment, people often engage in activities to distract themselves from dealing with difficult circumstances in their lives. Barker’s settings theory holds that older residents’ physical presence in an active environment influences their levels of activity and their subjective experiences. For some residents, an active environment fits into the continuation of the active life styles they developed during the course of their lives, but for others it may have implications for their psychological well-being if they do not have self-regulatory skills to navigate themselves and act merely on feeling obligated to do something. Using an active environment to deal with difficult circumstances can be either a constructive or a destructive coping strategy for older persons. The individual needs of residents should always be taken into account, and retirement villages with an active ageing approach should be aware that one size does not fit all. This study aimed to draw the attention of retirement village managers to the need to take cognisance of the experiences of older persons when implementing ageing policies in their facilities. It also shed new light on the experiences of active ageing among older residents.
MA (Clinical Psychology), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2015

碩士
國立屏東科技大學
景觀暨遊憩管理研究所
103
The population aging is a phenomenon in Taiwan society caused by the well developed technology of today. The proportion of aged population is getting higher due to the late marriage and more and more people choosing not to bear child. Therefore, the concept of elderly residence emerges and the ideas of barrier free environment design, suitability, and lifelong design become the goal in designing such community. The government responds to the phenomenon and starts to construct the elder friendly environment and residence, publishing the “Act for Promotion of Private Participation in Elderly Residence” in 2004 to promote the private participation in elderly residence. The elderly residence gradually shakes off the negative stereotype and offers secure, cozy, and health living quality for elder citizen. The study finds out that the arrangement for outdoor environment of the elderly residence should use natural elements to create the artificial view and focus on the principle of generic design, planning traffic flow from the residence to the public facility with high accessibility and setting up anti-skidding surface, deploying outdoor seats and rehabilitation equipment fitting the elderly ergonomics. The study probes into the spatial and barrier free requirements for elderly residence, simulating the on-site environment to make the arrangement, developing a beautiful health living community with high security. The study may serve as a useful reference for designer making the arrangement for elderly residence.

碩士
國立臺灣師範大學
社會教育學系
98
The coming aging society in Taiwan in the past decades has increased the demand of elders’ residential retirement villages in the consuming market. In order to enhance the quality of elders’ residential retirement villages, designing and enriching the elders’ spiritual life is as important as providing them with comfortable and safe facilities. The purpose of this research is to investigate the relationship between elders’ sense of community and life satisfaction, and to understand their awareness of sense of community and life satisfaction. Therefore, the researcher focuses on the life satisfaction of those who live in the residential retirement village for this study. It is expected that the results of this study would provide the consuming market with better visions and guidelines for designing and building residential retirement villages based on the elders’ needs. To achieve the purpose of this study, data are collected by the questionnaire survey entitled “Survey on elders’ senses of community.” The sample size of this study is 83 in total, in which descriptive statistics, independent sample t-test, and one-way ANOVA are employed to investigate the sample characters, followed by Pearson’s Correlation for examining the relationship between the elders’ sense of community and life satisfaction in the residential retirement village. Finally, multiple stepwise regressions are conducted to analyze the research outcomes. From the statistical data analysis and theoretical interpretation, five findings are derived as follows: (1) The elders living in the residential retirement village have high life satisfaction. (2) They have strong sense of community. (3) The highest frequency of the elders’ village activity participation is between 0 and 2, which shows the insufficiency of social participation. (4) The elders with religious beliefs have higher life satisfaction. (5) The elders’ sense of community is related to their life satisfaction, and the elders’ life satisfaction can be predicted by their sense of community.

碩士
長庚大學
企業管理研究所
95
Aged population in Taiwan grows rapidly due to the extension of life expectancy and the decrease of birth rate. In addition, the changes of family structure and decreases of new birth triggered the issue of caring aged people. Therefore, the importance of aged nursing home and aged population institution became vivid nowadays. To meet the needs of the market, the well-known Chang Gung Medical Group proposed a project of “Chang Gung Silver Village” to tackle the immediate needs. This project plans to build 4,000 units of nursing home and its first 706 units of nursing home of this project launched in January 2005, but only 166 persons moved into 139 units at the end of March 2006. Why of the result? It drives the study to investigate the puzzle. This study intends to explore the gap between 4P marketing strategy of Chang Gung and the expectation of customers with questionnaire administered by residents and visitors of Chang Gung Silver Village. This study received agreement from 44 residents and 41 visitors to complete the questionnaire with statistical analyses by SAS 9.1. The analyses have demonstrated that: 1. both residents and visitors are highly appreciated to the “product” per se; 2. they have high intention of being in-residence and recommend their friends to be in-residence of Chang Gung Silver Village if the incentive of “Financial-aid project” is available; 3. the residents’ intention of in-residence is not associated with the marketing strategy of Chang Gung. The visitors’ concern with intention of in-residence is subject to the “Financial-aid project ”, that is, the visitors will concern “place” if “Financial-aid project ” available, however they will concern both “product” and “pricing” if “Financial-aid project ” is not available. The researcher of this study suggests Chang Gung to make new strategic planning from the perspectives of 4P mix. 1. for “product” issue, to set up kindergarten to sooth residents’ lonesome, and to lease out some units of nursing home to young group like “seven-color community” in Japan. It makes sense to form a nursing home in the community instead of just a nursing home community. 2. for “pricing” issue, “Financial-aid project ” is essential, and Chang Gung may guarantee residents’ benefit by applying the banker to avouch residents’ “in-residence deposit”. 3. as to the “place” issue, a geographic segmentation is necessary, and Chang Gung may open some units for retired staffs of Chang Gung Group and Formosa Plastic Group to move in. 4. for “promotion” issue, public relationship marketing, discount strategy, and FPG-group employee’s promotion are recommended.

碩士
長庚大學
護理學研究所
97
Abstract The purpose of the research was to explore the influence of environmental satisfaction level on the quality of life, focusing on residents of self-supported senior housing communities. The cross-sectional descriptive correlation method was adopted. The participants (N=76) of this study were the residents of a senior housing community in the northern part of Taiwan. The age of the participants ranged from 67 years to 93 years, with an average of 78.34 years. They are all cognitive intact and physically independent. Structured questionnaires including demographic information, environment satisfaction scale (Environment), self-care abilities scale (ADL, IADL) and quality of life scale (WHOQOL-BREF Taiwan version) were administered. Three subjects, however, were excluded due to missing out two questions on the “Quality of Life- Social Domains”. The number of valid subjects, therefore, was 73 only. The research results showed that, within the environment satisfaction scale, the residence quality domain and neighborhood status domain had positive correlation with the seniors’ quality of life. Through hierarchical regression analysis, we further identified five variables which were the predictive factors for quality of life, respectively, gender, original living status, self-care abilities (IADL), residence quality domain, and environmental/personal security. The residence quality domain was the best predictive factor which accounted for 15%-50% of the variance in the overall quality of life and various domains. The total variance can be explained by the entire model is 32% to 64%. The seniors would enjoy a better quality of life if they were not living alone; had good self-care ability (IADL) and better environmental satisfaction levels in the “Residence Quality Domain”. In terms of gender, male seniors have a better quality of life in the “Psychological Domain”; while female seniors have a better quality of life in the “Social Domain”. Based on the research results, we recommend environmental assessment can be included in the routine assessment for residents of senior housing communities. Nursing personnel need to be enabled and encouraged to evaluate the influence of environments on the seniors’ quality of life; identify and prevent any hazardous factors to the senior group; and elevate the life quality satisfaction level of the elderly. Key Words: Senior Housing Facilities, Environment Satisfaction Level, Quality of Life

碩士
長庚大學
護理學系
101
The purpose of this study was to investigate the quality of sleep and its influences on quality of life and objective health indicators for senior residents in a retirement community. This study used cross-sectional descriptive correlational approach. The participants aged 65 or older, and were cognitive intact without disability. Instruments used in this study included demographic information, self-care abilities scale (Activities of Daily Living, ADL; Instrumental Activities daily Living IADL), Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS), Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and quality of life scale (WHOQOL-BREF Taiwan version), and the objective indicators included physical body composition and peripheral circulation. A total of 76 participants were recruited. However, 3 of them were excluded due to missing out two questions on the “Quality of Life- Social Domains.” Therefore, a total of 73 participants were analyzed in this study. The results found that the average score of sleep quality was 6.52 (SD = 3.52), and 52.06% of them had poor sleep quality. Higher sleep quality score was related with lower IADL, more depression symptoms, lower overall quality of life and lower physical and psychological QOL, and higher venous efficacy (left). Stepwise regression analysis found that predictors of better quality of life were older age, female, better ADL, less depressive symptoms and better sleep quality. These predictors can explain the variance in overall and all aspects of quality of life (ranged from 19% to 40%). The depressive symptoms and sleep quality could explain 31% of the variances in overall quality of life that more depressive symptoms and poorer sleep quality predicted poorer overall quality of life. At the same time, more depressive symptoms, poorer ADL, and poor sleep quality predicted lower score for physiological aspect of quality of life and these predictors were able to explained 40% of the variance in physiological quality of life. The results of this study suggest that the sleep quality is important to be assessed for elderly persons in the community. Related intervention, management and health education which aim to enhance sleep quality can be provided to promote the quality of life and decrease depressive symptoms for this population.

This dissertation looks at the possibility of using a development, like a retirement village, to stimulate the economic development of small towns. Following on from this, the question of whether or not a retirement village could be used as a model for Local Economic Development (LED) of small towns is also explored. The case study chosen, is that of the small town ofHowick (situated in the Midlands ofKwaZulu-Natal) and Amberfield Retirement Village which is located there. The study examines the economic impact that Amberfield Retirement Village has had on the small town ofHowick, as well as le>oking at the extent to which its success is locationally specific (and what implications this wou}d have in terms of replicating the retirement village). The findings of the study reveal that Amberfield Retirement Village has had a significant impact on Howick, especially in terms ofthe linkages it creates and the large injection of capital that it brought to the small town. The unique locational aspects and specificity of both Howick and Amberfield Retirement Village also form part of the findings of the study, and which affect the conclusion drawn in terms ofthe replicability ofthe retirement village. It is concluded that the retirement village could be used as a model for LED of other small towns, however, the location and the setting of the retirement village are all important.
Thesis (M.T.R.P.)-University of Natal, Durban, 1997.

TITLE: Barriers to accessing dental care amongst the elderly in retirement villages in Johannesburg. INTRODUCTION & BACKGROUND The aging population in South Africa has increased from 3.2 million in 2001 to 3.7 million in 2007 (Africa, 2009). Oral health problems in aging include edentulism, denture related conditions such as denture stomatitis, coronal and root surface caries, periodontal disease, xerostomia, and oral cancer (WHO, 2010). These conditions have been shown to impact negatively on the oral health related quality of life and general health of the elderly (Locker, 1988; Kandelman et al, 2008). However despite the oral disease experiences and availability of free oral health services in the public sector, oral health service utilisation amongst the elderly in South Africa continues to be low (Van Wyk, 1994, DoH, 2010). In addition there is no current available data on their oral health status, their oral health needs and barriers experienced in terms of accessing oral health services. AIMS The aim of the study was to determine barriers to dental care access by an elderly population residing in government subsidised retirement villages in the Johannesburg Metropolitan region, during the period of January to December 2011. OBJECTIVES To describe the oral health status of the residents in order to estimate their normative oral health needs. To describe perceived oral health needs of the residents from the retirement villages. To determine the proportion of elderly residents from retirement villages who have accessed dental care in the past 12 months. To identify and describe barriers to oral health services. To determine factors associated with oral health service utilisation. MATERIALS & METHODS The study was a cross-sectional study with an analytic component. Participants were recruited from 10 retirement villages located across region B to region G in Johannesburg. Permission to access the site and participants was granted by each individual site manager. Three hundred and eight individuals gave consent and agreed to participate in the study. Data was collected from questionnaires and a clinical oral examination assessing the DMFT and CPITN scores according to WHO criteria was conducted. RESULTS The sample (n=308) had a mean age of 72 years old. The mean DMFT of 17 and mean CPITN of 1.6 indicated that there was a need for dental care amongst the participants. Perceived oral health need related significantly to normative need and utilisation (p<0.01). Less than a third (28%) of the study population had accessed dental care in the past 12 months. Structural, financial and personal factors were found to have contributed to the barriers experienced by the elderly in Johannesburg. Participants with a high perceived need were found to more likely (OR: 2.37 CI: 1.00-5.83: P=0.05) to utilise services than those who were over the age of 80 and those living with partners. CONCLUSION Though oral health access was freely available in the public sector, the study found that there were unmet dental treatment needs amongst participants. Most participants perceived they needed dental care yet only less than a third accessed dental services in the past 12 months due to the structural, financial and personal barriers experienced. RECOMMENDATIONS The elderly need to be made aware of their exemption from user fees in the public sector. The inclusion of denture provision services via outreach programmes may assist in reducing the denture waiting list at public dental clinics. KEYWORDS: Dental access, utilisation, barriers.

Introduction: Mobility is critical for independence, social engagement and quality of life, which for many seniors equates with driving. Driving cessation has been associated with depression, isolation and decreased social and community engagement. However, apart from a few studies in the United States, research on the impacts of driving cessation and transportation use in general has been restricted to community dwelling seniors. It is estimated that 40,000 seniors in Ontario alone currently live in retirement facilities; a number expected to increase. Purposes: The aim of the wider project is to gain a better understanding of the transportation patterns and needs of older adults living in retirement homes. The specific aims of this study, which focused on residents who recently stopped driving (in the past two years), were to examine: 1) events leading to driving cessation, impacts (including depression), and possible associations with relocation; 2) transportation use, including how frequently they left the Village; and 3) connections with family and friends, and activity engagement in and outside the Villages. Methods: A survey of residents from four retirement Villages in Southern Ontario was conducted to examine driving status and use of other modes of transportation. An in-depth study was then conducted with a sample of 20 residents (9 men and 11 women, age 86.45 ± 5.16), recruited via letters, pamphlets, booths and door-to-door. The study involved both quantitative (questionnaires, scales on depression and balance confidence, activity checklists) and qualitative methods (small group discussions). Participants were also asked to complete travel diaries over two weeks for all trips outside the Village (purpose and mode of travel). Results: The transportation survey (N=407; 56% response rate) showed that 68% of residents had stopped driving (N=273), over half within 12 months of relocation. In the in-depth study, 36.8% had stopped driving before the move (average of 3.43±1.72 months, range 1 to 6), 42.1% after the move (average of 27.38±13.51 months, range 2 to 46), and 21.2% within the same month. While the quantitative data indicates a relationship between these transitions, this connection was often not made by residents themselves. Several mentioned health problems as the main reason they quit driving; two had lost their licenses. Regardless, most felt the decision to quit driving was voluntary and done at the “right time”. Except for a few people, this sample did not have depression symptoms and had adjusted to no longer driving. The majority (85%) had relatives in the area and most stayed connected to relatives and friends living outside the Village through visits and phone calls. Nearly all the residents (90%, n=18) received rides from others, most commonly from their daughters (70%), followed by friends outside the Village (60%). Half the sample said they used public buses occasionally, and those who did had significantly higher balance confidence scores on the ABC scale (73.33±18.50) compared to those who did not (49.44±21.02) (t=-2.69 p=0.015). Confidence scores, however, did not differ for those who used the Village shuttle (80%) and those who did not (20%). Based on their travel diaries, 76.5% of the residents (13/17) made at least one trip outside the Village over a two week period (average of 7.00±4.93, range 1 to 18), most often as a passenger in a private vehicle (58%). Recreation and social trips were the most common (44.2%), followed by: medical appointments (18%), shopping (17%), errands (15.3%) and religious activities (5.4%). The sample also took advantage of services and amenities inside the Village, including: meals in the dining room (95%), the café (90%), general store (80%), salon (65%), library (65%), laundry facilities as well as services of health professionals. They also participated in Village programs, including: music, concerts, movies (80%), physical activities (65%), games (55%) and religious services (50%). Conclusions: Seniors who can afford to live in upscale retirement homes may not suffer the adverse effects of driving cessation often found in community seniors. Despite advanced age and mobility restrictions (85% used a walker outdoors), these individuals remained connected to the outside community. This sample, at least, took advantage of the services and amenities in their Villages which may reduce their need for travel outside the Village. They do not appear to have unmet transportation needs, given that most had relatives in the area as well as other people to drive them when needed. More studies are needed on this growing segment of the senior population, particularly on other types of retirement facilities which may not offer as many services (such as shuttle buses or vans) for residents.

碩士
真理大學
休閒遊憩事業學系碩士班
105
Abstract Background: The National Development Council predicts Taiwan will become an ultra-aging society by 2025, when the proportion of the senior population rise to 14%. Facing the double crises of population aging and childless, the long-term care for the senior citizens will become a critical issue. Therefore, it is essential to conduct an in-depth study on the behavioral intention and selection factors of senior citizens to live in a retirement home. Purpose: This study aimed to explore factors affecting seniors’ intentions and the important selection factors to them to reside in a retirement village. Design/method: This research utilized a mixed method of quantitative and qualitative procedures. Three hundred and forty valid questionnaires have been collected via in-class surveys of Tainan and Kaohsiung Senior Citizens Learning Camps. In addition to quantitative research, this study also conducted focus group interviews with senior’s citizens and semi-structured interviews with one retirement village owner and the faculty representatives. Results: Quantitative analysis results showed that attitude, subjective norm and perceived behavioral affect participants’ behavioral intention significantly. Among which, attitude presents the greatest impact. The higher the income, the greater the willingness to stay in the village, and can bear the risk of health management at the village. In addition, the most important selection factor to choose a retirement village is the brand image. Conclusions: All hypotheses were found supportive. Based on the research results, the implication and recommendations to the government and retirement village owners are provided. For follow-up researchers, since the views of the elderly in different areas may be different, it is recommended to continuely conduct other studies to the older people who live in different counties and cities. Keywords: Behavioral intention, Selection factors, Retirement Village, Senior citizens learning camp

碩士
國立勤益科技大學
專案管理研究所
106
Since Taiwan’s medical development grows rapidly, Taiwanese people’s life is prolonged, and the rate of birth is relatively low, the government estimates that Taiwan will become a hyper-aged society after 2025. However, Taiwan’s low fertility has been decreasing while the aged population has been increasing. Under such a circumstance, diseases and care requirements have relatively risen. This has become an issue emphasized by Taiwanese citizens and government. This study adopts the 2×2×2 inter-group experiment design, which uses regulatory focus (acceleration/prevention), advertising appeal (rationality/sensibility) and target time distance (target time distance is nearer/target time distance is farther) as independent variables, to discuss the impacts of early seniors’ attitude toward retirement village advertisement and their boarding willingness. The test is targeted at the early seniors whose ages range from 45 to 64. 240 questionnaires are released in total, and 240 valid samples are received. The collected questionnaires are analyzed by ANOVA with SPSS statistical analysis software, and whether the hypothesis is formed is examined as well. Research results show that the testees of target time distance (target time distance is nearer/target time distance is farther), advertising appeal (rationality/sensibility), and regulatory focus (acceleration/prevention) indeed have obviously positive influences on residing willingness and attitude toward advertisement. If the retirement village owners can provide consumers with deeper value and cognition of retirement villages, they not only can receive better attitude toward advertisement but also can enhance consumers’ boarding willingness of retirement villages.