Advancing understanding of person-environment interaction in later life: One step further

Abstract

Purpose: This paper reconsiders the existing conceptual frameworks and models in environmental gerontology and takes a step forward towards a comprehensive and integrative understanding of person-environment (P-E) exchange processes in later life.

Design and methods: After briefly reviewing key existing models and important developments in the field, we move forward towards conceptual optimization and specification emphasizing on the processes of P-E exchange, outcomes of these processes and consideration of time, illustrated with three scenarios. The paper concludes with an outlook on future directions.

Discussion and implications: The conceptual framework presented here advances previous theoretical work in P-E exchange in later life by incorporating the constructs of agency and belonging representing the processes, identity and autonomy as outcomes and linking them with the primary components, i.e. individual, social, built environmental and technological factors. Case studies of older adults' representing a range of functional status in multiple settings illustrate the application of the conceptual framework's key components. The framework also explicitly addresses the relevance of the temporal aspect in P-E exchange.

Keywords: Agency; Autonomy; Belonging; Ecology of aging; Identity.