Evaluación de los impactos ambientales 40

As a complex and abstract notion, home is not merely a place tied to safety, comfort and opportunities for being accepted and supported; it also contains personal experiences of

independence, autonomy, and mastery. A vast amount of literature has argued that older people who could exert control over their lives and environments are likely to experience a greater sense of self-worth and are more satisfied with lives (Golant, 2015). Consistent with the literature, findings in this dissertation research also revealed the positive relationships between older adults’ feelings of home and their favorable residential mastery experiences and being

independent (Fay & Owen, 2012; Haak et al., 2007; Nakrem, Vinsnes, & Seim, 2011; Perkins et al., 2012).

In the U.S., Chinese elderly immigrants expressed their strong desire for being

independent from adult children, both residentially and financially. This finding corresponded to previous migration research that the traditional Chinese cultural norm of interdependence and filial expectations are likely to be altered in the receiving context (Glick, 2010; Lan, 2002; Lin et al., 2015). Participants perceived their dependence on adult children as a burden, and such heavy reliance accumulated over time seemed to decrease elders’ parental authority, feelings of

usefulness and competence as they used to be. Thus, soon after they obtained alternative sources of supports and housing options, most of them preferred to have an independent living space. In Wiles and colleagues’ (2011) research, they contended that independence and autonomy

associated with a dwelling place contribute to older people’s preferences of aging in place. The independence could referred to the freedom of carrying out personal care without extensive interferences from family members; making one’s own decisions, keeping one’s own life pace, and being autonomous economically and socially. For Chinese older immigrants in this study, their independence and sense of mastery in place was strongly influenced by their legal status, access to local resources and aging services. The great of impact on environments on older immigrants’ home-making experiences are discussed later in this chapter.

In LTC contexts of China, elderly residents’ feeling of home was also closely related to their sense of being independent and feeling of mastery. LTC facilities are known as having rules and regulations. Elderly residents recognized various institutional restrictions and the fact that they were living in a collective setting, but they managed to maintain their independence by control over daily issues, such as carry out self-reliance activities, plan their days, and choose activities and social relationships as they preferred. Age-related limitations were potential threats to residents’ independence as they were forced to constantly adjust life patterns to fit with the collective rhythms in institutions. Yet, consistent with other research, being independence was critical to residents’ sense of home for it may strengthen older adults’ self-confidence and generate a confirmatory effect, which creates a sense of pride within oneself and among other residents (Haak et al., 2007). In many cases, older adults’ independence was often reframed in LTC settings. In cases where residents experience physical or cognitive declines, some would lower their expectations, place more value on things that they have control over, and uphold their current state of functional ability as a way to maintain independence (Perkins et al., 2012). Depending on elders’ health conditions, personalities, and other individual attributes, being independent was fundamentally a subjective experience and feeling in relation to place.

More importantly, older people often perceive independence as an ability to manage daily lives and obtain a favorable mastery experiences with environments (Ball et al., 2000; Leith, 2006). Sense of mastery means that older people can do things as they please and in other words, “in your real home, you’re the boss” (Groger, 1995, p. 147). Specifically, a sense of mastery in LTC took many forms and was influenced by varied experiences. In line with other research, feeling capable of doing things, acting in ways as one preferred, and having defined and valuable role in trusted relationships all contributed to residents’ sense of mastery and home (Monoly,

2010). As Leith (2006) indicated in the phenomenological analysis in regard to the meaning of home in congregate housings, older women’ personal independence and residential mastery in both micro- and macro-spheres provoked their at-homeness. Such feeling of mastery and home- making experiences primarily came from their autonomous decision to relocate and constant efforts to actively re-integrate into new living environments. Lawton (1990) coined the term ‘control centers’ to depict home as a place where one has easy access and control over necessary resources within a reasonable proximity (Monoly, 2010; Swenson, 1998). Under environmental restrictions in LTC settings, having complete personal freedom, choices, and access to varied resources is often constrained. For some older adults who are affluent in economic and social resources, they can shape environments to match their needs and capabilities, such as choosing a luxury single room and acquire extra care services. However, in situations when elders have limited resources and capabilities, they often bend their will and try to be resilient to what environment and life could offer to them. As Golant (2015) stated, “for better or worse, older people have their sense of confidence even if they have only the illusion of control—that is, if they perceive it to be true.” (p. 29). Nevertheless, having power over one’s life and

environments were significantly associated with older adults’ meanings and experiences of home, regardless whether it is in the U.S. or China. Other than modifying physical features in a dwelling place or relocating to a more aging friendly community, a key to mastery is older adults’ adaptation in both actions and mind. Restructure a home in a new living environment requires time and adjustment; this meant that in essence, home should be perceived as a fluid and dynamic process that compromises congruent individual and environment relations.