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‘Ageing in place’: experiences of older adults in Amsterdam and Portland

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Abstract

This article addresses the importance and meanings of formal and informal social support relationships and neighbourhood ties for older adults ‘ageing in place’ in urban neighbourhoods in two different welfare state settings: Portland (Oregon, the United States) and Amsterdam (the Netherlands). The rising number of people growing old(er) in urban environments raises new demands and pressing challenges for urban development. The majority of older adults are and will be ageing in their homes and communities, as opposed to institutionalized care facilities and settings. At the same time, the provision of formal and public care is being increasingly challenged by government cutbacks. On top of this, the formerly strong welfare states in many European countries have weakened. In-depth interviews with 40 older adults and key informants in two neighbourhoods in each city provide the empirical basis for this study. In Portland, there are widespread local civic initiatives related to care provision for older adults. The city has a long tradition both of individual responsibility and community culture, which has emerged from and appears to compensate for the overall lack of state services and support. Amsterdam has a long tradition of state provision, but is experiencing a policy shift towards a stronger reliance on private market-led services, and an emphasis on family and community as providers of support. Although a few emerging local initiatives for elderly care in Amsterdam were identified, it is unclear whether this form of community support can compensate for decreasing state provision in Amsterdam. This study raises concerns about the future of care provision for older adults living in unsupportive urban neighbourhoods, without financial resources or nearby relatives.

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Notes

  1. The ‘Beacon Hill Village’ was founded around 2000 in the Beacon Hill neighbourhood in downtown Boston. As the co-chairman McWhinney-Morse (2009: 85) elaborates, the village “is a grassroots membership organization created by and for people age 50 and over, not just the very old, the fragile or the wealthy. (…) In order to promote healthy ageing, the Village offers programs and services that address not only medical and housing needs but social, physical, emotional, and intellectual needs as well”. In 2013, membership costs ranged between $675 (individual) to $975 (couple) per year. See: http://www.beaconhillvillage.org/.

  2. For more information about the Eastside Village Portland (PDX) movement, see: http://villagesnw.org/.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. University of Amsterdam, 1001 NC, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

    Susanne Dobner, Sako Musterd & Joos Droogleever Fortuijn

  2. Centre for Social Innovation, Vienna, Austria

    Susanne Dobner

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  1. Susanne Dobner
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Correspondence to Sako Musterd.

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Dobner, S., Musterd, S. & Droogleever Fortuijn, J. ‘Ageing in place’: experiences of older adults in Amsterdam and Portland. GeoJournal 81, 197–209 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10708-014-9613-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10708-014-9613-3

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