035 – Interview: Aging in the Right Place

In This Episode:

Dr. K talks with Stephen Golant, PhD, Professor of Geography at the University of Florida and the author of “Aging in the Right Place.” Dr. Golant has a doctorate in social gerontology and social geography, and is a well-known expert on the housing and long-term care needs of older adults. They discuss:

• What is environmental gerontology, and why environment is so important to aging adults
• How one’s housing, neighborhood, and community affect one’s ability to age well
• Why older adults like to remain in their own homes
• The problems many older adults encounter when they try to age in place, and what it means to “age in the right place”
• A definition of successful aging
• Why we shouldn’t reflexively promote aging in place, and what to encourage instead
• How to determine where is the right place to age, and which questions older people should ask themselves
• Why it may be better for seniors to live in a neighborhood of people their own age
• Dr. Golant’s plan for where to live as he ages

Related Resources:

• Dr. Golant’s book: Aging in the Right Place (2015)
• Do You Really Want to Age in Place?
• Aging in Place Concept Has Been Oversold, Professor Argues
• Should Older Americans Live in Places Segregated From the Young?
• Aging in Place Solutions for Older Americans: Groupthink Responses Not Always in Their Best Interests
• Age-Friendly Communities: Are We Expecting Too Much?