Older adults' capability to use community facilities and the associations with neighborhood satisfaction and well-being in high-density urban environments

Abstract

Community facility is an important social welfare resource that supports aging-in-place. However, studies to understand how older adults' use of community facilities could promote well-being are insufficient. Hence, this study aims to apply the capability approach to build a novel framework to explore the associations between community facility planning and older adults' well-being, and the roles of potential capability and conversion factors. The study applied spatial analysis and questionnaire survey. 509 older adults were interviewed in Kwun Tong and Sham Shui Po district in Hong Kong. The structural equation model was used to analyze the complex relationship among community facility provision, older adults' usage and well-being. Results show that only providing community facility is inadequate to promote older adults' well-being. Their satisfaction with the community facility should be increased. Walking environment and public transport are essential capabilities to support older adults' usage of community facilities. Perceived built environment and individual considerations, age, and elderly proportion of the neighborhood are significant conversion factors that help older adults convert community facility resources to well-being. The findings could extend the capability approach in the community facility planning area and generate new knowledge. It also provides essential implication insights to urban planners and policy makers to promote aging-in-place.