%0 Thesis
%9 Master
%A Rozendal, Thomas
%D 2024
%F theses_frw:4725
%P 44
%T The impact of living arrangements on quality of life among older adults: aging in place versus retirement homes
%U https://frw.studenttheses.ub.rug.nl/4725/
%X The aging population in the Netherlands poses significant challenges for living arrangements and  their impact on the quality of life among older adults. This thesis investigates how different living  arrangements, specifically aging in place versus residing in retirement homes, influence the quality  of life of older adults using a quantitative analysis of the WoON 2021 survey data. The study employs  Coarsened Exact Matching (CEM) to control for the compositional effect, ensuring comparability  between the two groups.  The findings reveal no significant difference in life satisfaction between older adults aging in place  and those residing in retirement homes after matching to control for compositional effects. This  suggests that living arrangements alone may not be the primary determinant of life satisfaction.  Instead, other factors such as health status, social quality, and activity hindrance play more  substantial roles. Health emerged as a pivotal factor, with better health significantly associated with  higher life satisfaction, underscoring the importance of health promotion and maintenance  programs tailored to older adults. The extent and quality of social interactions were also crucial, with  higher social quality linked to greater life satisfaction. Physical limitations negatively impacted life  satisfaction, emphasizing the importance of interventions aimed at reducing activity hindrance and  promoting physical independence. Living in a multi-person household had a small but significant  positive effect on life satisfaction, suggesting that social support within the household can enhance  well-being. Higher household income was associated with increased life satisfaction, although the  effect size was relatively small, indicating that financial stability is an important aspect of overall  well-being.  The study's findings have several policy implications. Firstly, there is a need for policies aimed at  improving the health of older adults through preventive measures and access to healthcare services.  Secondly, fostering social interactions and community engagement can significantly enhance the  quality of life. Thirdly, interventions to reduce physical limitations and promote independence are  essential. Financial support programs to ensure adequate income for older adults can also  contribute to their well-being. Finally, spatial planning should create age-friendly environments that  cater to the needs of older adults in both urban and rural settings.  In conclusion, while living arrangements themselves do not significantly impact the quality of life  among older adults in the Netherlands, health status, social quality, and activity hindrance are  critical factors. Policymakers should focus on these areas to improve the well-being of the older  population. By addressing health, social interaction, physical independence, and financial stability, it  is possible to enhance the overall quality of life for older adults, whether they age in place or reside  in retirement homes. The insights gained from this study underscore the multifaceted nature of  quality of life and highlight the importance of a holistic approach to supporting the aging population.