ABSTRACT
This chapter focuses on understanding the range of living environments for older adults, the challenges they face, and solutions for those challenges. Older people live in a variety of settings and locations. Regardless of location, independent living refers to the situation wherein the older adult is largely responsible for managing his or her own everyday needs. There is a phenomenon called Naturally Occurring Retirement Communities, which describe neighborhoods or buildings where a large percentage of the residents are older adults—not by design but through changing demographics. The options for formalized independent living communities are increasing, and older adults frequently move into them by choice to eliminate the need to care for a home, to downsize, or to capitalize on the increased opportunities for social engagement. The Selective Optimization with Compensation model is a broad-based theoretical perspective from lifespan developmental psychology that provides context for potential solutions to support aging in place.
