Remain Independence and Neighborhood Social Cohesiveness Among Older Adults Participating in Three Community-Based Programs Promoting Aging-in-Community in the USA

Abstract

Objectives: Aging-in-community has been a preferred way to aging. This study examines and compares remain independence (RI) and neighborhood social cohesiveness (NSC) among three programs promoting aging-in-community (AIC). Methods: Older adults from three AIC programs were surveyed: a village program, a county neighborhood lunch program, and a university-based lifelong learning program. Previously validated RI (3-item) and NSC (4-items) measures were used. Results: Mean age was 72.4 ( SD = 8.68) years ( n = 289). Both the RI and NSC scales showed satisfactory reliabilities, with Cronbach’s alphas of .81 and .88, respectively. Analyses showed significant inter-group differences on both RI and NSC. After controlling for demographics, regressions showed inter-group differences remained for RI, while disappeared for NSC. Education level had an inverse relationship with RI, whereas married status had a positive relationship with NSC scores. Discussion: Findings call attentions to RI among higher education and NSC among single older adults for community-based services and programs promoting aging-in-community.