Indoor Built Environment and Older Adults’ Activity: A Systematic Review

• Published in: Canadian journal on aging Vol. 42; no. 2; pp. 241 - 258
• Main Authors: Azim, Farah T., Ariza-Vega, Patrocinio, Gardiner, Paul A., Ashe, Maureen C.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York, USA Cambridge University Press 01.06.2023
• Subjects: Activities of daily living; Age; Aged; Aging in place; Assisted living facilities; Built Environment; Chronic illnesses; Citations; Dementia; Environmental aspects; Everyday life; Exercise; Housing policy; Humans; Keywords; Languages; Long term health care; Nursing homes; Older people; Pandemics; Physical activity; Physical fitness; Population; Rare diseases; Sedentary; Sedentary behavior; Systematic review; Canada; knowledge synthesis; logement pour les personnes âgées; housing; logement; synthèse des connaissances; comportement sédentaire; physical activity; vieillissement; vieillissement en santé; activité physique; sedentary behaviour; aging; housing for the elderly; healthy aging
• ISSN: 0714-9808; 1710-1107
• DOI: 10.1017/S0714980822000241

Although the physical environment can influence people’s activity, there are few knowledge syntheses for indoor environments and older adults’ daily life routines. Therefore, we conducted a systematic review of peer-reviewed evidence to inform future research and practice. Inclusion criteria were studies with any research designs, across all years and languages focused on older adults 60 years of age or more, on physical activity/sedentary behaviour and the indoor environment. After searching five databases, two authors completed title/abstract and full-text screening. The last search was on December 19, 2020. We screened 1,367 citations, and included 23 studies situated in private or collective dwellings (e.g., assisted living). We identified physical activity-supportive indoor features across three domains: campus (e.g., amenities, pathways), building (e.g., area, floor level), and fixtures (e.g., elevators, hallways). Knowledge of indoor environmental factors for older adults’ engagement in daily activities can guide future research and policy on housing design.