Housing adaptation is one of many ways for older adults retain independence in their everyday lives, allowing them to age in place for longer. In Sweden, applying for housing adaptation grants involves communication with multiple actors in a process that can vary depending on factors such as individual housing condition, and physical capabilities of the applicant. This research focuses on the role of a few actors involved in the approval process of housing adaptations and seeks to highlight risks that may go unnoticed or warrant more attention. This study employs a mix of qualitative methods including document analysis and content analysis of semi-structured interviews. Government reports on housing adaptations, and interviews with real-estate and municipal actors were primarily analyzed. Though the installation of an adequate housing adaptation can have direct health benefits, the process of obtaining approval is not always without problems. There can be delays, negotiations, rejections, etc., all which introduce potential risks that directly or indirectly affect the health of people in need of housing adaptations. Through investigating how housing adaptation grants are processed by different actors, this research attempts to shed light on the under-explored structures that may potentially reproduce inequality and entail severe health implications for older adults.

Authors:
Jeongmin Hyeong, Malmö University, Sweden

About the Presenter(s)
Jeongmin Hyeong is a doctoral student at Malmö University in Sweden. General interests include gerontology and accessible urban spaces. The ongoing work is about the housing adaptations for older adults in the Swedish context.

See this presentation on the full schedule – Sunday Schedule

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