Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

“Aging in Community”: Historical and Comparative Study of Aging Welfare and Social Policy

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Aging Welfare and Social Policy

Part of the book series: International Perspectives on Aging ((Int. Perspect. Aging,volume 20))

  • 722 Accesses

Abstract

This chapter provides an introduction to the historical and comparative study of aging welfare by putting related issues in perspective in order to maintain a comprehensive understanding of the changing fields of aging, family, community, and social policy. Going beyond a current trend of “aging in place” (AIP), it reviews community care that once dominated social policy dialog in the West (particularly British Commonwealth), as well as community service that was once regarded as a main solution to the social issues of reformist China. The case of the United States is also highlighted by reviewing a scholarly interest in social support. By citing America’s “non-system” of community support for disabled elderly persons, the article recognizes an outstanding feature of AIP, that is, the “buy-in” from industry or the commercial sector in terms of its role in promoting aging at home. Other key social policy issues as seen in previous debates that baffled policy-makers in various countries, however, remain to be addressed in the much changed environment of the twenty-first century.

The chapter is amended and expanded from an introductory piece for a Special Issue of Ageing International on Aging in Community (Chen, 2012).

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 109.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Hardcover Book
USD 139.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Abbreviations

AIP:

Aging/age in place

CAPS:

Certified Aging in Place Specialist

CCRC:

Continuing Care Retirement Community

Danwei:

Workplace (work unit)

GPP:

General public policy

LSNS:

Lubben Social Network Scale

LTC:

Long-term care

n4a:

National Association of Area Agencies on Aging

NAOHB:

National Association of Home Builders

NORC:

Naturally occurring retirement communities

WHO:

World Health Organization

References

  • Allen, J. L. (1989, October 29). Group housing for elderly falls into 3 main categories. Chicago Tribune.

    Google Scholar 

  • Allen, J. E. (1999, May 24). Home safe home: A national “aging in place” movement helps seniors stay where they love to live. Los Angeles Times (p. 1).

    Google Scholar 

  • Baugh, W. E. (1987). Introduction to the social services (5th ed.). London: Macmillan Education Ltd.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Cassel, J. (1974). Psychosocial processes and “stress”: Theoretical formulations. International Journal of Health Services, 4, 471–482.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cassel, J. (1976). The contribution of the social environment to host resistance. American Journal of Epidemiology, 104, 107–123.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chen, S. (1988). Community service (a public lecture series). China Civil Affairs Administration, Nos. 1–4, 6 (in Chinese).

    Google Scholar 

  • Chen, S. (1996). Social policy of the economic state and community care in Chinese culture: Aging, family, urban change, and the socialist welfare pluralism. Brookfield: Ashgate.

    Google Scholar 

  • Chen, S. (1997). Measurement and analysis in psychosocial research: The failing and saving of theory. Brookfield, VT: Ashgate.

    Google Scholar 

  • Chen, S. (2010, June 10). A new turning point of Chinese general public policy: From “economic construction as the center” to “balanced socioeconomic development based on economic growth”. Chinese Social Sciences Today (in Chinese).

    Google Scholar 

  • Chen, S. (2011, January 11). Aging and housing: China’s two major challenges. Chinese Social Sciences Today (in Chinese).

    Google Scholar 

  • Chen, S. (2012). Historical and global perspectives on social policy and “aging in community”. Ageing International, 37(1), 1–15.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chen, S. (2017a). Population aging and social policy: Chinese Jia in elder care research. Population and Society, 33(1), 63–72 (in Chinese).

    Google Scholar 

  • Chen, S. (2017b). Community study, community care for the elderly, and social policy. Population and Society, 33(2), 3–12. https://doi.org/10.14132/j.2095-7963.2017.02.001 (in Chinese).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chen, S., & Cai, X. (2018). General public policy, socialism, and social problems: Social equity, public economics, and social science research in the post-economic state era. Society & Public Welfare, 3, 64–71. (Tsinghua Social Work Review, No.1) (in Chinese).

    Google Scholar 

  • Chen, S., & Chen, E. Y. (2007). Aging and health in the new century: Challenges to research and practice. In I. Cook & J. Powell (Eds.), New perspectives on China and aging. New York: Nova Science Publications.

    Google Scholar 

  • Chui, E. (2008). Introduction to special issue on “ageing in place”. Ageing International, 32(3), 165–166. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12126-008-9016-1

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cobb, S. (1976). Social support as a moderator of life stress. Psychosomatic Medicine, 38(5), 300–314.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cox, C. B. (2004). Community care for an aging society: Issues, policies, and services. New York: Springer.

    Google Scholar 

  • Finch, J., & Groves, D. (1980). Community care and the family: A case for equal opportunities? Journal of Social Policy, 9, 487–511.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Freyne, S. (2010). What are the challenges to healthy ageing in place? Network for Student Activism. Reprint by UCL Centre for Applied Global Citizenship at http://www.ucl.ac.uk/network-for-student-activism/w/What_are_the_challenges_to_healthy_ageing_in_place%3F

  • Hadley, R., & Clough, R. (1996). Care in chaos: Frustration and challenge in community care. London: Continuum.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hatch, S., & Mocroft, I. (1983). Components of welfare. London: Bedford Square Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Howard, W. (1989, January 1). New program lets elderly choose nursing home or independent life. Providence Journal, C-02.

    Google Scholar 

  • Johnson, N. (1987). The welfare state in transition: The theory and practice of welfare pluralism. Sussex: Wheatsheaf Books Ltd.

    Google Scholar 

  • Killaspy, H. (2006). From the asylum to community care: Learning from experience. British Medical Bulletin, 79/80, 245–258. https://doi.org/10.1093/bmb/ldl017

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kinnaird, J., Brotherston, J., & Williamson, J. (Eds.). (1981). The provision of care for the elderly. Edinburgh: Churchill Livingstone.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kofsky, B. (n.d.). “Aging in place” through “home modifications”. Retrieved October 29, 2010, from http://www.hatfl.com/Aging_In_Place_home_modifications.pdf

  • Levkoff, S. E., Chee, Y. K., & Noguchi, S. (Eds.). (2000). Aging in good health: Multidisciplinary perspectives. New York: Springer.

    Google Scholar 

  • Li, B., & Chen, S. (2010). Aging, living arrangements, and housing in China. Ageing International, 36(1), 463–474. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12126-010-9094-8

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lin, N. (1999). Building a network theory of social capital. Connections, 22(1), 28–51. Retrieved from http://www.analytictech.com/mb874/Papers/lin-socialcapital.htm

    Google Scholar 

  • Lin, N., Dean, A., & Ensel, W. (1986). Social support, life events, and depression. Orlando: Academic.

    Google Scholar 

  • Luo, B., & Zhan, H. (2012). Filial piety and functional support: Understanding intergenerational solidarity among families with migrated children in rural China. Ageing International, 37(1), 69–92.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mathew Greenwald & Associates, Inc. (2003). These four walls… Americans 45+ talk about home and community (research report). Washington, DC: AARP.

    Google Scholar 

  • Morrill, R. L. (1995). Aging in place, age specific migration and natural decrease. The Annals of Regional Science, 29(1), 41–66. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01580362

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Payne, M. (1986). Social care in the community. London: Macmillan Education Ltd.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Powell, J. L. (2012). Personalization and community care: A case study of the British system. Ageing International, 37(1), 16–24.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Putnam, R. D. (1995). Bowling alone: America’s declining social capital. Journal of Democracy, 6, 65–78.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rose, R. (Ed.). (1980). Challenge to governance: Studies in overloaded politics. London: Sage.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rossiter, C., & Wicks, M. (1982). Crisis or challenge? Family care, elderly people and social policy. London: Study Commission on the Family.

    Google Scholar 

  • Royal Commission on the Law Relating to Mental Illness and Deficiency. (1957). Report (Command 169). London: HMSO.

    Google Scholar 

  • Scharlach, A. (2004). Book review comments. Retrieved October 2, 2011, from http://www.amazon.com/Community-Care-Aging-Society-Lifestyles/dp/0826128041/ref=cm_cr_dp_orig_subj

  • Scharlach, A. (2012). Creating aging-friendly communities in the United States. Ageing International, 37(1), 25–38.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sinclair School of Nursing. (2010). The aging in place project: Assuring quality at-home services for seniors. American Academy of Nursing. Retrieved November 1, 2011, from http://www.aannet.org/files/public/AgingInPlace_template.pdf

  • Tilson, D. (Ed.). (1990). Aging in place: Supporting the frail elderly in residential environments (Conference Proceedings). Glenview: Scott, Foresman.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tinker, A. (1984). The elderly in modern society. New York: Longman Group Ltd.

    Google Scholar 

  • United States Congress. (1989). Aging in place: Problems and solutions for older residents of New Jersey (hearing before the Subcommittee on Housing and Consumer Interests of the Select Committee on Aging, House of Representatives) on February 27 at Toms River, NJ. Document printed by U.S. G.P.O.

    Google Scholar 

  • Vaux, A. (1988). Social support: Theory, research, and intervention. New York: Praeger.

    Google Scholar 

  • Walker, A. (Ed.). (1982). Community care: The family, the state and social policy. Oxford: Blackwell Martin Robertson.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wong, L., & Poon, B. (2005). From serving neighbors to recontrolling urban society: The transformation of China’s community policy. China Information, 19(3), 413–442.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Internet Sources

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Public Administration/Social Policy, Pace University, New York, NY, USA

    Sheying Chen

  2. Center for Social Work Study, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China

    Sheying Chen

  3. Department of Social and Political Science, The University of Chester, Chester, UK

    Jason L. Powell

Authors
  1. Sheying Chen
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Jason L. Powell
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Sociology of Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, Beijing, China

    Tian-kui Jing

  2. Department of Comparative Politics, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway

    Stein Kuhnle

  3. Institute of Sociology, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, Beijing, China

    Yi Pan

  4. Public Administration/Social Policy, Pace University, New York, NY, USA

    Sheying Chen

  5. Center for Social Work Study, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China

    Sheying Chen

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2019 Springer Nature Switzerland AG

About this chapter

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this chapter

Chen, S., Powell, J.L. (2019). “Aging in Community”: Historical and Comparative Study of Aging Welfare and Social Policy. In: Jing, Tk., Kuhnle, S., Pan, Y., Chen, S. (eds) Aging Welfare and Social Policy. International Perspectives on Aging, vol 20. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-10895-3_4

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-10895-3_4

  • Published:

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-030-10894-6

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-030-10895-3

  • eBook Packages: Social SciencesSocial Sciences (R0)

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation