The public health role in aging in place; focuses on definitions and components of aging in place; identifying barriers and facilitators; and creating guidelines for promoting aging in place and public health interventions.
Athena Title
Aging in Place
Equivalent Courses
Not open to students with credit in GRNT 7750
Non-Traditional Format
This course will be taught 95% or more online.
Semester Course Offered
Offered fall
Grading System
A - F (Traditional)
Student learning Outcomes
Students will be able to discuss the interdisciplinary nature of aging in place and its role in public health.
Students will be able to classify different components of aging in place.
Students will be able to analyze the systems and contexts in which aging in place is promoted or hindered (i.e., facilitators and barriers).
Students will be able to develop, based on the evidence, public health guidelines for supporting aging in place at micro, mezzo, and macro levels.
Topical Outline
I. What is Aging in Place
a. A highly personal and debated phrase
i. 40+ year history of the term
ii. Picking apart the CDC definition: The ability to live in one's own home and community safely, independently, and comfortably, regardless of age, income, or ability level
b. Interdisciplinary perspectives
i. Public Health
ii. Gerontology
iii. Home builders’ association
II. Age
a. Changes with older adulthood
i. Age is just a number
ii. Functionality assessment
b. Aging in place -> a goal across the lifespan
i. Public health challenges for the aging population related to aging in place
ii. Health benefits to aging in place
c. Chronic conditions that challenge aging in place
i. Healthcare comes home
III. Place
a. Aging in the RIGHT place
b. Different types of “home” and health considerations
c. Design concepts for livable homes
i. Universal and inclusive design
ii. Safety
iii. Building new vs. renovations
iv. Home design and assessment
d. An ecological perspective: micro, mezzo, macro (smart homes, neighborhoods, communities, and cities)
IV. Technology
a. A systems approach: the future of smart homes
b. Integrated technology-enabled healthcare
c. Ethical and privacy considerations
d. Acceptance, adoption, and the future of home-based technologies
V. Challenges to Age in Place and future directions
a. Public Health issues, related to transportation, finances, access to healthcare
i. Challenges to aging in place in rural communities
b. Anti-aging in place; is it the right choice for everyone?
c. Family, friends, pets, care partners, and professionals – it takes a village – a psychosocial approach
d. Considerations on how to build successful aging in place public health interventions
