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Conceptualizing Age-Friendly Community Characteristics in a Sample of Urban Elders: An Exploratory Factor Analysis
Journal article   Peer reviewed

Conceptualizing Age-Friendly Community Characteristics in a Sample of Urban Elders: An Exploratory Factor Analysis

Richard J Smith, Amanda J Lehning and Ruth E Dunkle
Journal of gerontological social work, Vol.56(2), pp.90-111
02/01/2013
DOI: 10.1080/01634372.2012.739267
PMCID: PMC5731635
PMID: 23350565

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Abstract

Accurate conceptualization and measurement of age-friendly community characteristics would help to reduce barriers to documenting the effects on elders of interventions to create such communities. This article contributes to the measurement of age-friendly communities through an exploratory factor analysis of items reflecting an existing US Environmental Protection Agency policy framework. From a sample of urban elders (n = 1,376), we identified 6 factors associated with demographic and health characteristics: access to business and leisure, social interaction, access to health care, neighborhood problems, social support, and community engagement. Future research should explore the effects of these factors across contexts and populations.
urban communities social policy factor analysis social environment age-friendly communities

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