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Housing & Health along the Process of Ageing

Principal investigator; Iwarsson, Susanne, Professor, PhD

Clinical speciality: Social medicine

Phone: ++46462221940

Co-workers, Lund University: Carlsson Gunilla, Ekström Henrik, Elmståhl Sölve, Haak Maria, Horstmann Vibeke, Löfqvist Charlotte, Lexell Jan, Malmgren Fänge Agneta, Schmidt Steven, Slaug Björn, Tomsone Signe

Co-workers, not Lund University: Brandt Åse, Dahlin Ivanoff Synneve, Gräsbeck Anne, Gustavsson Louise, Himmelsbach Ines, Oswald Frank, Phillips Judith, Rantakokko Merja, Rantanen Taina, Schilling Oliver, Sonn Ulla, Wahl Hans-Werner, Worrall Linda, Zalkalns Janis

International networks: Riga Stradins University, Latvia
Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany
Heidelberg University, Germany

Research area/areas: Environmental Health and Occupational Health, Geriatrics, Occupational Therapy, Physiotherapy, Public Health, Global Health, Social Medicine and Epidemiology

This project originated from the ENABLE-AGE Project, started in 2002 and aims to investigate how the home environment affects health trajectories along the process of ageing. As the project progresses we will continue to study aspect of home and health in different sub-groups, health effects of mobility devices, relocation in very old age, and we will now add the impact of the home environment on mortality. The project also involves continuous theory and methodology development for cross-national, longitudinal research on housing and health.

The current project comprises four parts. The first two parts are based on the ENABLE-AGE project with very old people. The first is on relocation and other changes in the housing situation and the impact of aspects of housing on mortality outcomes. The second is on the need and use of mobility devices as integrated into daily life. The third part focuses on aspects of housing in a younger cohort from the Swedish National Study of Aging and Care (SNAC-GÅS) which targets per¬sons from earlier stages in the process of ageing, cohabiting persons and those living in rural districts. The fourth part targets housing and health among persons who have lived with a disability >10 years; a spinal cord injury (SCI) cohort aged 50+. The 9-year follow-up of the Swedish, Latvian, and German ENABLE-AGE samples is complete. In Sweden we also have 10 year mortality data. Our data collection with >400 persons aged 67-70 is also complete, and during 2012 we will finish data collection with 125 persons ageing with a spinal cord injury. Total sample and sub-group analyses will be conducted to elucidate the role that aspects of housing have for health, applying descriptive, inferential and exploratory statistical methods.

The evolving knowledge base has relevance for health science research that targets different groups of older people, with the potential to nurture the development of evidence-based housing interventions and housing provision that support health in later life. The results will foster the development of health care and social services, not only in Sweden but also in Europe at large.

Link to project homepage: http://www.med.lu.se/english/hvs/active_and_healthy_ageing/present_projects/enable_age

5 recent original publications

Horstmann, V., Haak, M., Tomsone, S., Iwarsson, S., Gräsbeck, A.
Life satisfaction in older women in Latvia and Sweden - standard of living, aspects of health and coping behavior.
Journal of cross-cultural gerontology. 2012; : In press

Helle Tina, Brandt Aase, Slaug Björn, Iwarsson Susanne
Lack of research-based standards for accessible housing: problematization and exemplification of consequences.
International journal of public health. 2011; 56: 635-644

Haak PhD, Lecturer Maria, Malmgren Fänge Agneta, Iwarsson Susanne, Dahlin-Ivanoff Synneve
The importance of successful place integration for perceived health in very old age: a qualitative meta-synthesis.
International journal of public health. 2011; 56: 589-595

Further publications here (new window)

Financing/year