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Housing Instability and Policy Considerations for Equitable Aging in Place in Canada
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 23 May 2024
Abstract
Background
In this article, we apply a gender-based analysis plus framework to research the housing experiences of older, low-income adults living and aging in Hamilton. Low-income older adults with intersectional identities are at risk of not aging in place due to marginalization and housing instability.
Objective
Policy currently homogenizes the experience of aging by sidelining intersectional factors that have a bearing on aging well in place. The research aims to develop policy recommendations to address this gap.
Methods
Several methods captured the housing experiences of low-income older adults, including interviews, participant observation, and arts-based techniques.
Findings
Findings illustrate how gender and intersectional factors shape both housing trajectories and agentive practices low-income adults utilize to try to age well and in place. These strategies encompass practicing cultural citizenship, which is a claim for inclusion when excluded from mainstream ideals of aging in place.
Discussion
We provide policy recommendations informed by participants’ lived experiences aimed at promoting equitable aging in place as fundamental to full citizenship.
Résumé
Dans cet article, nous rendons compte d’une étude basée sur un cadre d’analyse fondée sur le genre, portant sur les conditions de logement de personnes âgées à faible revenu dans la ville de Hamilton. Les personnes âgées à faible revenu qui ont des identités intersectionnelles risquent de ne pas vieillir à domicile pour des raisons de marginalisation et d’instabilité de logement.
Les politiques actuelles homogénéisent le vieillissement en écartant les facteurs intersectionnels qui influent sur le bien vieillir à domicile.
Plusieurs méthodes ont été utilisées pour cerner les conditions de logement de personnes âgées à faible revenu, y compris des entrevues, l’observation des participants et des techniques basées sur les arts.
Les conclusions de l’étude illustrent comment le genre et les facteurs intersectionnels façonnent les parcours de logement et les pratiques d’agentivité que les personnes à faible revenu mettent en œuvre pour bien vieillir chez elles. Ces stratégies comprennent la pratique de la citoyenneté culturelle, qui revendique l’inclusion dans le contexte d’idéaux de vieillissement à domicile dominants non inclusifs.
À la lumière du vécu des participants, nous énonçons des recommandations pour l’élaboration de politiques visant à promouvoir le vieillissement à domicile équitable en tant qu’aspect fondamental d’une pleine citoyenneté.
Keywords
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- Information
- Copyright
- © Canadian Association on Gerontology 2024
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