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Holistic Approaches to Aging in Place: Health, Safety, and Community
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Holistic Approaches to Aging in Place: Health, Safety, and Community

A special issue of Healthcare (ISSN 2227-9032). This special issue belongs to the section "Community Care".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 January 2026 | Viewed by 1890

Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Lufei Young

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
School of Nursing, University of North Carolina, Charlotte, NC 28081, USA
Interests: rehabilitation; aging; cardiovascular; cognition; functioning
Dr. Carolyn Horne

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
School of Nursing, University of North Carolina, Charlotte, NC 28081, USA
Interests: cardiovascular disease; hypertension; peripheral arterial disease; symptoms; symptom management, and biofeedback

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

We are pleased to invite you to contribute to our upcoming Special Issue entitled "Holistic Approaches to Aging in Place: Health, Safety, and Community". As the global population ages, the concept of aging in place—enabling older adults to live independently and safely in their own homes and communities—has become increasingly important. This research area addresses critical aspects such as health, well-being, technology, safety, community support, and policy, which collectively contribute to enhancing the quality of life for individuals living with limited functioning. By fostering environments that support aging in place, we can reduce the burden on healthcare systems, promote mental and physical health, and ensure dignity and independence for older adults.

Aim of the Special Issue

This Special Issue aims to explore and disseminate innovative research and practices that promote aging in place, and to compile a diverse array of studies that reflect the multidisciplinary nature of this field. We are particularly interested in research that aligns with the journal's scope of advancing knowledge in the areas of lifestyle change, assistive technology, risk reduction, safety promotion, and community-based practices and strategies to support independent living for seniors. The Special Issue will serve as a platform for sharing insights, strategies, and solutions that can be implemented across different contexts to facilitate aging in place.

Suggested Themes and Article Types for Submissions

In this Special Issue, original research articles and reviews are welcome. Research areas may include (but are not limited to) the following themes:

  • Innovative technologies for aging in place: smart home systems, wearable devices, telehealth, and other assistive technologies;
  • Health and wellness: strategies to promote physical, mental, and emotional well-being among older adults;
  • Community support and social networks: programs and interventions that enhance community engagement and social support for seniors;
  • Policy and practice: examination of policies, programs, and practices that facilitate aging in place;
  • Environmental design: designing age-friendly homes and communities that support independent living;
  • Caregiving and support services: role of caregivers, support services, abuse and violence prevention, and respite care in promoting aging in place;
  • Economic and financial considerations: financial planning, cost analysis, and economic impacts of aging in place;
  • Cross-cultural studies: comparative studies on aging in place practices across different cultures and regions.

We look forward to receiving your contributions and sharing groundbreaking research that will advance our understanding and implementation of aging in place.

Prof. Dr. Lufei Young
Dr. Carolyn Horne
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Healthcare is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2700 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • independent living
  • smart home technology
  • caregiver support
  • behavioral health in older adults
  • lifestyle modification for seniors
  • home safety for seniors
  • risk assessment
  • functioning assessment
  • cognition assessment
  • injury prevention

Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue

  • Ease of navigation: Grouping papers by topic helps scholars navigate broad scope journals more efficiently.
  • Greater discoverability: Special Issues support the reach and impact of scientific research. Articles in Special Issues are more discoverable and cited more frequently.
  • Expansion of research network: Special Issues facilitate connections among authors, fostering scientific collaborations.
  • External promotion: Articles in Special Issues are often promoted through the journal's social media, increasing their visibility.
  • Reprint: MDPI Books provides the opportunity to republish successful Special Issues in book format, both online and in print.

Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.

Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

25 pages, 926 KiB  
Article
Older Adults’ and Professionals’ Attitudes Towards Stair-Fall Prevention Interventions
by Emma Mulliner, Thomas D. O’Brien, Vida Maliene, Constantinos N. Maganaris and Rachel Mason
Healthcare 2025, 13(11), 1324; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare13111324 - 2 Jun 2025
Abstract
Background/Objective: Stair falls are a major health concern for older adults, particularly those wishing to age in place. Despite extensive laboratory research on the causes of stair falls and the effectiveness of prevention interventions, there is limited understanding of how acceptable interventions are [...] Read more.
Background/Objective: Stair falls are a major health concern for older adults, particularly those wishing to age in place. Despite extensive laboratory research on the causes of stair falls and the effectiveness of prevention interventions, there is limited understanding of how acceptable interventions are to end-users and key stakeholders in real-world home environments. This study explored older adults’ and professionals’ attitudes toward stair-fall prevention interventions, including intervention acceptability, barriers and facilitators to adoption, and priorities for implementation in home settings. Methods: This study employed a sequential mixed-method design, including a survey of 359 UK community-dwelling older adults (aged 55+), followed by focus groups with 8 older adults and 11 professionals from healthcare and housing backgrounds. Results: Older adults surveyed perceived home stair falls as a significant risk and priority for prevention but demonstrated less awareness of specific interventions to prevent falls. Focus groups with older adults and professionals established barriers and facilitators to the adoption of 10 specific stair-fall prevention interventions. Barriers included a lack of awareness, financial constraints, reluctance to alter home environments and stigma. Facilitators included raising awareness through education, clear guidance on intervention benefits and installation, practical and financial support, personalised approaches, social encouragement, and endorsement by professionals. Focus groups found the most acceptable stair-fall prevention interventions included education and skill training, improved staircase lighting and additional handrails. Conclusions: Interventions that are low-disruption, cost-effective, backed by empirical evidence, and endorsed by trusted professionals are more likely to be accepted and implemented. Further research should focus on targeted educational strategies to overcome barriers to adoption. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Holistic Approaches to Aging in Place: Health, Safety, and Community)
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11 pages, 629 KiB  
Article
Aging in Place and Healthcare Equity: Using Community Partnerships to Influence Health Outcomes
by Annie Rhodes and Christine C. McNichols
Healthcare 2025, 13(10), 1132; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare13101132 - 13 May 2025
Viewed by 282
Abstract
Background and Objective: Aging in place (AIP) refers to the ability to remain in one’s home and community as one ages. While AIP is widely regarded as beneficial, disparities in housing stability, accessibility, and affordability create inequitable barriers. Current clinical AIP interventions [...] Read more.
Background and Objective: Aging in place (AIP) refers to the ability to remain in one’s home and community as one ages. While AIP is widely regarded as beneficial, disparities in housing stability, accessibility, and affordability create inequitable barriers. Current clinical AIP interventions focus on individual-level solutions, often overlooking broader socio-economic and structural determinants.This study examines how community-based interventions, particularly those from Rebuilding Together Richmond (RT-R), address these gaps through home modifications and critical repairs. Methods: Using the National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities (NIMHD) Research Framework, demographic and service data from home modifications from a community-based organization, RT-R was analyzed. Descriptive statistics assessed the characteristics of homeowners served, the types of repairs performed, and their potential impact on AIP. Repairs were categorized as structural or occupational to evaluate their contributions to home safety and accessibility. Results: RT-R provided repairs for 33 homes, benefiting 47 individuals all of whom were Black or African American living in a ZIP code with high eviction rates. The majority (63.8%) were female, and 51% were older adults and/or had a disability. Structural repairs were more frequent than occupational modifications reflecting both homeowner needs, service availability, and community organizational goals. Conclusions: Housing stability is a critical yet overlooked factor in AIP. Integrating clinical AIP interventions with community-based solutions can more effectively address health disparities, reduce institutionalization risks, and improve long-term livability. Partnerships between healthcare practitioners and organizations like Rebuilding Together are essential to advancing equity in AIP. Access to housing is not accessible housing, and to remove barriers, practitioners and community-based organizations should expand their appreciation of obstacles to include historical, contemporary, economic, and environmental factors to work toward equity in aging in place for all. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Holistic Approaches to Aging in Place: Health, Safety, and Community)
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10 pages, 529 KiB  
Article
Differences in 6-Minute Walk Distance Across Heart Disease Recurrence Risk Levels in Cardiac Rehab Patients
by Eric Lian, Kimberly Roberts and Lufei Young
Healthcare 2024, 12(22), 2280; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare12222280 - 15 Nov 2024
Viewed by 1027
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Cardiac rehabilitation (CR) programs are multi-component interventions comprising structured strength and cardiovascular exercise training, psychological support, education, and therapies to promote positive lifestyle changes. This study aimed to determine if there are differences in the 6-minute walk distance (6MWD) across risk groups [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Cardiac rehabilitation (CR) programs are multi-component interventions comprising structured strength and cardiovascular exercise training, psychological support, education, and therapies to promote positive lifestyle changes. This study aimed to determine if there are differences in the 6-minute walk distance (6MWD) across risk groups for recurrent heart disease. Methods: This retrospective cohort study used existing data collected from electronic medical records. The 6-minute walk distance was measured at baseline (pre-6MWD) and upon the completion of the CR program (post-6MWD). Short-term cardiac event recurrence risk was determined using a two-year recurrent coronary heart disease (2yRCHD) risk percentage, calculated according to the Framingham 2yRCHD calculator. Risk was then stratified into (1) low, (2) moderate, and (3) high-risk groups. Demographic variables (e.g., age, sex, racial/ethnic group) and clinical variables (e.g., BMI, lipid panels, fasting glucose levels, comorbidities) were collected to describe the study participants and identify potential confounders. An ANOVA and ANCOVA were performed to examine the differences in 6MWD across the 2yRCHD risk groups. Results: A total of 394 CR participants’ data were included in this analysis. Ninety-nine percent of the female participants were classified as low risk for recurrent heart disease, resulting in an extremely small sample size in the moderate-risk (n = 1) and no representation (n = 0) in the high-risk group. This lack of representation made it impossible to conduct comparative analyses across all the participants or to analyze female participants separately by risk category. Consequently, only male participant data were included in the final analysis. The study showed that pre- and post-6MWD measurements were significantly different across the three 2yRCHD risk groups (p = 0.006 for pre-6MWD; p = 0.002 for post-6MWD). The ANCOVA indicated that these differences were independent of the selected covariates. Post hoc analyses revealed significant differences in 6MWDs between the low- and high-risk groups and between the moderate- and high-risk groups, but not between the low- and moderate-risk groups, for both pre- and post-6MWD measurements. Compared to the CR participants in the high-risk group, those in the low- and moderate-risk groups achieved significantly longer distances in the 6-minute walk tests. Conclusions: The observed differences in the 6MWD across short-term cardiac recurrence risk levels suggest its potential as a simple, accessible tool for assessing cardiac recurrence risk levels in community settings. Further research is needed to generalize these findings to more diverse populations and to support aging in place for older adults living with heart disease. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Holistic Approaches to Aging in Place: Health, Safety, and Community)
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