The purpose of this study is to analyse the housing needs of the elderly by applying Maslow´s Hierarchy-of Needs theory and to identify the Life satisfaction by means of the housing needs, and thereby being able to enhance their satisfaction with life and to give useful materials to public policy.
In this study, the relationships among social economic demographic characteristics, housing characteristics, housing needs, and life satisfaction were examined.
For this purpose, interviews were conducted with 276 noninstitutionalized persons over age 60 in Seoul. The data collected were analysed by statistical methods such as T-test, one-way ANOVA, Correlation Coefficients, and Simple Regression Analysis.
The results obtained were as follows.
1. The significant variables for the entire housing needs were economic status, education level, occupation, housing type, home-ownership, housing quality, and availability of private space.
2. Among the variables, economic status, occupation, housing type, availability of private space, and housing quality were significant factors for the housing needs of survival, of convenience, of social acceptance and belongingness, and of self-esteem and aesthetics. Education on the other hand was a significant factor for the housing needs of survival, of convenience, and of social acceptance and belongingness. Moreover the type of living arrangement was significant to the housing needs of survival, social activity to the housing needs of safety and social acceptance and belongingness, and home-ownership to the housing needs of survival, of convenience, and of self-esteem and aesthetics.
3. Sex, education level, economic status, self-reported health, marital status, type of living arrangement, housing type, availability of private space, and housing quality were significant variables to the life satisfaction.
4. The Correlation between the entire housing needs and the life satisfaction and that of housing needs of each stages and the latter were both positive.
5. The most important variable in predicting the life satisfaction was self-esteem and aesthetics needs among the different stages of housing needs.
The results of this study suggest the life satisfaction of the elderly can be achieved by improving their present housing environment. Therefore increased financial support from the government and housing development programs of various kinds for the elderly are necessary.
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