OBJECTIVE: A residential environment refers to the physical and social characteristics in a neighbourhood. The physical characteristics include interior housing qualities, exterior neighbourhood characteristics, and the accessibility of essential facilities and services outside the neighbourhood. Older adults especially may be vulnerable to the negative impacts of the residential environment. The aim of this study is to elucidate the problems ageing people face in their neighbourhoods, buildings and public areas. METHODS: The study group consisted of a total of 1,001 people over the age of 65 who were admitted to physical medicine and rehabilitation clinics in Turkey and consented to participate. A questionnaire covering demographic, social and environmental information was used. RESULTS: Of the study group, 58.6% was living in an apartment building, but only 23.6% of these buildings had an elevator, and the stairs were inconvenient in 46.7% of the buildings. Only 49% of the elderly people went for a walk regularly. The most frequent complaint about the hospitals, community health centres and other public areas was the inappropriate restroom conditions. Eighty-six percent of the study group were not members of an organization, a foundation or a group, and 73.6% did not have personal hobbies. CONCLUSIONS: The layouts of buildings and surroundings are inappropriate for older people, and the opportunities for them to participate in social activities are limited. Health and social programmes and governmental and local policies for older people are needed, and public awareness about this issue should be raised.

Darussafaka Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Centre Istanbul Turkey

Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Acibadem Atakent Hospital Istanbul Turkey

Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Ankara Education and Research Hospital Ministry of Health Ankara Turkey

Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Ankara PMR Education and Research Hospital Ankara Turkey

Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Antalya Ataturk Education and Research Hospital Antalya Turkey

Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Bayindir Hospital Icerenkoy Istanbul Turkey

Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Faculty of Medicine Ege University Izmir Turkey

Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Faculty of Medicine Gaziantep University Gaziantep Turkey

Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Faculty of Medicine Harran University Sanliurfa Turkey

Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Faculty of Medicine Ufuk University Ankara Turkey

Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Faculty of Medicine Uludag University Bursa Turkey

Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Faculty of Medicine Zonguldak Bulent Ecevit University Zonguldak Turkey

Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Gazi University Ankara Turkey

Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Izmir Training and Research Hospital Izmir Turkey

Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Medical Faculty Ataturk University Erzurum Turkey

Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Meram Medical School Necmettin Erbakan University Konya Turkey

Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation School of Medicine Baskent University Istanbul Turkey

Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation School of Medicine Cumhuriyet University Sivas Turkey

Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation School of Medicine Hacettepe University Ankara Turkey

Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation School of Medicine Istanbul University Istanbul Turkey

Department of Statistics Faculty of Medicine Hacettepe University Ankara Turkey

Citace poskytuje Crossref.org