WHAT OLDER PEOPLE WANT Attitudes to Options for Improving Housing Efficiency and Liveability

An ageing population raises many questions about the appropriateness of current housing and neighbourhood options. While downsizing or retirement village living are often the major stereotypes for the ideal living arrangements for older Australians, only a relatively small percentage of older Australians actually live in such housing. The vast majority remain in the general community in separate houses with 3 or more bedrooms. Indeed, government policy encourages ageing in place and has progressively increased the delivery of support services to the home, resulting in substantial savings to the public purse and, arguably, better health and wellbeing outcomes for older people. In the light of these changes, it important to understand the perceptions of older people themselves about the housing and neighbourhood options available and their reasons for staying put or moving.