Urban Problems >

2025 , Vol. 365 >Issue 12: 75 - 88

DOI: https://doi.org/10.13239/j.bjsshkxy.cswt.251210

The impact of age - friendly housing environments on older adults’ intrinsic capacities:With a discussion on heterogeneity based on living alone status

  • SUN Ke-xin ,
  • LI Hao-hao
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Received date: 2025-10-21

  Revised date: 2025-12-10

  Online published: 2026-04-07

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Abstract

Intrinsic capacity of older adults is a key indicator of healthy aging, and the housing environment, as the core setting of their daily life, is closely linked to older adults’ intrinsic capacity. Drawing on data from China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study, this research employs Growth Curve Models to systematically examine the impact of age-friendly housing environments on the trajectory of intrinsic capacity among older adults, and further explore how this effect varies by living arrangement. The results show that older adults’ intrinsic capacity declines progressively with age and accelerating over time. Clear heterogeneity emerges between those living alone and those living with others: older adults living alone exhibit relatively lower levels of intrinsic capacity in early old age but experience slower decline, surpassing those living with others around the age of 90. Additional analyses indicate that age-friendly housing environment significantly promote older adults’ intrinsic capacity, effectively delaying functional decline. However, this positive effect diminishes with increasing age. Moreover, the health gains associated with age-friendly housing are stronger and more enduring among older adults living alone. These findings highlight the need to strengthen multi-level support systems and promote the expansion of age-friendly housing environment; enhance complementary measures to build comprehensive age-friendly living environment; and advance more differentiated strategies particularly targeting the needs of older adults living alone.

Key words： age-friendly housing environment; older adults; intrinsic capacity; living alone; Growth Curve Model

Cite this article

SUN Ke-xin , LI Hao-hao . The impact of age - friendly housing environments on older adults’ intrinsic capacities:With a discussion on heterogeneity based on living alone status[J]. Urban Problems, 2025 , 365(12) : 75 -88 . DOI: 10.13239/j.bjsshkxy.cswt.251210

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