What does this research mean for the field?

Home adaptations can 're-make' a sense of home and support ageing-in-place, but poor communication and lack of control during the adaptation process can lead to feelings of invasiveness and loss of autonomy. Novelty: ClaimNovelty.INCREMENTAL. Consensus alignment: ConsensusAlignment.NEUTRAL.

What question did this study set out to answer?

Examine how home adaptations shape the lived experiences and emotional project of sustaining a sense of home among older adults managing age-related impairments.

September 2, 2026Housing Theory and Society

Control, Communication and the Emotional Construction of Home: The Role of Home Improvements in Supporting Ageing-in-Place

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Authors

SRSteve Rolfe VMVikki McCall JGJanet Gilbertson

Discussion

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Overview

National evaluation reveals that housing adaptations safeguard autonomy and re-establish a sense of home in older adults, highlighting the critical role of personal control and communication.

Key Points

Examine how home adaptations shape the lived experiences and emotional project of sustaining a sense of home among older adults managing age-related impairments.
Conducted a national evaluation of home improvement services in England.
Assessed lived experiences of recipients receiving home adaptations aimed at improving accessibility, comfort, and functionality.
Deficits in communication and client control during modification processes precipitated feelings of invasiveness, discomfort, and compromised autonomy.
Adaptations effectively prevented home unmaking and reconstructed a meaningful sense of home when implemented thoughtfully.

Cite This Study

Rolfe et al. (2026) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6a97e237c562ede874ec62e9 https://doi.org/10.1080/14036096.2026.2719616

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September 2, 2026Housing Theory and Society

Control, Communication and the Emotional Construction of Home: The Role of Home Improvements in Supporting Ageing-in-Place

View Full Paper

Ask AI

Bookmark

Authors

SRSteve Rolfe VMVikki McCall JGJanet Gilbertson

Discussion

Member takes

Overview

National evaluation reveals that housing adaptations safeguard autonomy and re-establish a sense of home in older adults, highlighting the critical role of personal control and communication.

Key Points

Examine how home adaptations shape the lived experiences and emotional project of sustaining a sense of home among older adults managing age-related impairments.
Conducted a national evaluation of home improvement services in England.
Assessed lived experiences of recipients receiving home adaptations aimed at improving accessibility, comfort, and functionality.
Deficits in communication and client control during modification processes precipitated feelings of invasiveness, discomfort, and compromised autonomy.
Adaptations effectively prevented home unmaking and reconstructed a meaningful sense of home when implemented thoughtfully.

Cite This Study

Rolfe et al. (2026) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6a97e237c562ede874ec62e9 https://doi.org/10.1080/14036096.2026.2719616

View Full Paper

Ask AI

Bookmark