The Residential Environment and Social Support of Elderly Living Alone in Urban and Rural Areas

도시와 농촌지역에서 독거노인의 주거환경과 사회적 지지

The objective of this study is to identify the general characteristics and residential environment of elderly who live alone in urban and rural areas. Data from the survey of Korea Institute for Heath and Social Affairs conducted in 2014 were used for the analysis. The subjects of the study included a sample of 2,390 respondents who represent aged 65 and older in Korea. The result of analysis indicated that; First, the general characteristics of the elderly living alone are mostly female, older and less educated. The single elderly had poor health status and economic status. There was a statistically significant difference in gender, age, education level, the number of children, and marital status between urban and rural areas. But there was no significant difference in the health and economic status between the two regions. Second, looking at the type of housing in a residential environment, The elderly living alone were mainly living in houses, followed by apartment, and townhouse. The elderly living alone in the rural area felt more uncomfortable in the home than the elderly living alone in the urban area. There was a statistically significant difference in housing type, home ownership, housing convenience, child relationship, and frequency of communication between urban and rural areas. But there was no significant difference in period of residence and frequency of intercourse between the two regions. Finally, The elderly living alone were in many cases receiving emotional support from his(her) children. and the elderly living alone in the rural area had been more emotional support from his(her) children than elderly living alone in the urban area. And the biggest difficulty in living alone was that nobody was able to nurse them when they were sick, followed by loneliness, financial insecurity, household chores, and anxiety about safety.