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Analyzing the relationship between housing and social engagement among the elderly

Author

Listed:
  • Donner, Herman

    (Department of Real Estate and Construction Management, Royal Institute of Technology)

  • Kulander, Maria

    (University of Gävle)

Abstract

Utilizing a large-scale public health survey in Sweden, this paper analyzes the relationship between the fraction of elderly above the age of 80 who live in various tenure forms, and their social engagement. Social engagement is a measure of both social interaction with others, and overall engagement in society. This measure has an established relationship with mental and physical health, even as the causal mechanism are still understudied. Across 130 municipalities, we find that a higher fraction of elderly living in elderly housing is associated with a lower fraction of elderly classified as having a low level of social engagement. We also find that a higher fraction of elderly living in single-family houses is associated with a higher fraction of elderly classified as having a low level of social engagement. The results support that closer proximity to neighbors, and potentially the engagement offered through services in elderly care, increases overall social engagement among the elderly, thereby also assumably promoting better mental and physical health. The findings can inform housing policies towards elderly populations.

Suggested Citation

  • Donner, Herman & Kulander, Maria, 2024. "Analyzing the relationship between housing and social engagement among the elderly," Working Paper Series 24/1, Royal Institute of Technology, Department of Real Estate and Construction Management & Banking and Finance.
    • Handle: RePEc:hhs:kthrec:2024_001
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Glaeser, Edward L. & Sacerdote, Bruce, 2000. "The Social Consequences of Housing," Journal of Housing Economics, Elsevier, vol. 9(1-2), pages 1-23, March.
    2. Thomson, H. & Thomas, S. & Sellstrom, E. & Petticrew, M., 2009. "The health impacts of housing improvement: a systematic review of intervention studies from 1887 to 2007," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 99, pages 681-692.
    3. Drew Shindell & Greg Faluvegi & Karl Seltzer & Cary Shindell, 2018. "Quantified, localized health benefits of accelerated carbon dioxide emissions reductions," Nature Climate Change, Nature, vol. 8(4), pages 291-295, April.
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    Keywords

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    JEL classification:

    • I31 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Welfare, Well-Being, and Poverty - - - General Welfare, Well-Being
    • J14 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Economics of the Elderly; Economics of the Handicapped; Non-Labor Market Discrimination
    • J26 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Retirement; Retirement Policies

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