Keywords
Active Living; Physical Activity
housing environment
immigrants
older adults
How to Cite
Abstract
The quality of housing and the surrounding environment significantly impact the health and well-being of older adults, particularly among immigrant populations. Inadequate or unsuitable housing can contribute to health issues such as mobility limitations, social isolation, and stress, which can negatively impact lifestyle and overall health outcomes. Active aging holds promise in enhancing health outcomes, however, its relevance for immigrants of color who mostly live in poor urban housing environment is unexplored. This study examines the impact of housing environments on the lifestyle of older adult African immigrants in the United States. Employing grounded theory qualitative methodology, this study collected interview data from 30 older adult African immigrants (50+) in diverse housing environments in Chicago's south side. To enhance data triangulation, observation methods using Google Earth images, on-site photos, and researcher sketches were utilized alongside participant narratives. Interview recordings were transcribed using NVivo software, cross-checked, and manually corrected for linguistic nuances or occasional native language use before coding. Four main themes were identified: perceived physical activity, neighborhood factors, residential environment factors, and active social lifestyles. Understanding the relationship between housing environments and active aging is crucial for designing effective interventions to enhance lifestyle of aging African diaspora immigrants in the United States. However, obtaining population-specific data is essential to tailor these interventions to the unique needs of individuals within their specific housing environments.
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