Barriers of aging: The impact of housing on U.S. older adult health

Today, millions of older adults aged 65 and older, face the challenges of aging. In the
past ten years, the number of people aged 65 and older in the U.S. increased from
37.2 million to 49.2 million, and by 2040 an estimated one in five Americans will be
age 65 or older (Administration for Community Living & Administration on Aging,
2018; Urban Institute, 2014). Housing is a significant factor in health outcomes for
this population because of their increased time spent in the home, which can put them
at an increased risk for home accidents (Newman, 2003). Using the Health and
Retirement Study, this study explores the association of assistive features being
present in one’s home on health status and provides evidence to identify the housing
needs of the older adult population.