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The Living Environment and Thermal Behaviours of Older South Australians: A Multi-Focus Group Study

Author

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  • Joost van Hoof

    (Faculty of Social Work & Education, The Hague University of Applied Sciences, Johanna Westerdijkplein 75, 2521 EN Den Haag, The Netherlands
    Department of Spatial Economy, Faculty of Environmental Engineering and Geodesy, Wrocław University of Environmental and Life Sciences, ul. Grunwaldzka 55, 50-357 Wrocław, Poland)

  • Helen Bennetts

    (School of Architecture and Built Environment, The University of Adelaide, North Terrace, Adelaide, SA 5005, Australia)

  • Alana Hansen

    (School of Public Health, The University of Adelaide, North Terrace, Adelaide, SA 5005, Australia)

  • Jan K. Kazak

    (Department of Spatial Economy, Faculty of Environmental Engineering and Geodesy, Wrocław University of Environmental and Life Sciences, ul. Grunwaldzka 55, 50-357 Wrocław, Poland)

  • Veronica Soebarto

    (School of Architecture and Built Environment, The University of Adelaide, North Terrace, Adelaide, SA 5005, Australia)

Abstract

Ageing brings about physiological changes that affect people’s thermal sensitivity and thermoregulation. The majority of older Australians prefer to age in place and modifications to the home environment are often required to accommodate the occupants as they age and possibly become frail. However, modifications to aid thermal comfort are not always considered. Using a qualitative approach this study aims to understand the thermal qualities of the existing living environment of older South Australians, their strategies for keeping cool in hot weather and warm in cold weather and to identify existing problems related to planning and house design, and the use of heating and cooling. Data were gathered via seven focus group sessions with 49 older people living in three climate zones in South Australia. The sessions yielded four main themes, namely ‘personal factors’, ‘feeling’, ‘knowing’ and ‘doing’. These themes can be used as a basis to develop information and guidelines for older people in dealing with hot and cold weather.

Suggested Citation

  • Joost van Hoof & Helen Bennetts & Alana Hansen & Jan K. Kazak & Veronica Soebarto, 2019. "The Living Environment and Thermal Behaviours of Older South Australians: A Multi-Focus Group Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(6), pages 1-19, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:16:y:2019:i:6:p:935-:d:214124
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Alana Hansen & Peng Bi & Monika Nitschke & Dino Pisaniello & Jonathan Newbury & Alison Kitson, 2011. "Perceptions of Heat-Susceptibility in Older Persons: Barriers to Adaptation," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 8(12), pages 1-15, December.
    2. Diane Bélanger & Pierre Gosselin & Pierre Valois & Belkacem Abdous, 2014. "Perceived Adverse Health Effects of Heat and Their Determinants in Deprived Neighbourhoods: A Cross-Sectional Survey of Nine Cities in Canada," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 11(11), pages 1-26, October.
    3. Joost Van Hoof & Jan K. Kazak & Jolanta M. Perek-Białas & Sebastiaan T. M. Peek, 2018. "The Challenges of Urban Ageing: Making Cities Age-Friendly in Europe," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(11), pages 1-17, November.
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Joost van Hoof & Hannah R. Marston, 2021. "Age-Friendly Cities and Communities: State of the Art and Future Perspectives," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(4), pages 1-13, February.
    2. Fenfen Zhou & Wensu Zhou & Wenjuan Wang & Chaonan Fan & Wen Chen & Li Ling, 2022. "Associations between Frailty and Ambient Temperature in Winter: Findings from a Population-Based Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(1), pages 1-16, December.
    3. Helen Bennetts & Larissa Arakawa Martins & Joost van Hoof & Veronica Soebarto, 2020. "Thermal Personalities of Older People in South Australia: A Personas-Based Approach to Develop Thermal Comfort Guidelines," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(22), pages 1-22, November.
    4. AnneMarie Eijkelenboom & Marco A. Ortiz & Philomena M. Bluyssen, 2021. "Preferences for Indoor Environmental and Social Comfort of Outpatient Staff during the COVID-19 Pandemic, an Explanatory Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(14), pages 1-22, July.
    5. Joost van Hoof & Deirdre M. Beneken genaamd Kolmer & Erwin de Vlugt & Sanne I. de Vries, 2019. "Quality of Life: The Interplay between Human Behaviour, Technology and the Environment," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(24), pages 1-7, December.
    6. Barun Mukhopadhyay & Charles A. Weitz, 2022. "Heat Exposure, Heat-Related Symptoms and Coping Strategies among Elderly Residents of Urban Slums and Rural Vilages in West Bengal, India," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(19), pages 1-20, September.
    7. Katarzyna Przybyła & Maria Hełdak & Izabela Kurtyka-Marcak, 2019. "Demand for a Housing Offer Addressed to Senior Citizens in Poland," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(22), pages 1-17, November.

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