Gerontology & Geriatric Research

Abstract

Prescribing Better Buildings as Preventive Medicine: Using Building Design to Optimize Health and Well-Being Outcomes

Nichole M Campbell

This study’s goal was to understand how to change neighborhood environments to better support health, wellbeing, and independence for older adults seeking to remain in their family homes even if their capabilities change, commonly referred to as aging in place. To accomplish this, this study considered factors identified in prior research as relevant to supporting successful aging within mainstream neighborhoods. To improve the utility of these earlier findings, this study mathematically identified the highest priority factors among the original 40 factors by using Multi- Attribute Utility Theory (MAUT), a multi-criteria decision-making method. This study connects seniors’ preference for aging in place with helping designers make that an achievable and desirable option.