Theoretical contributions on aging from the perspective of person-environment studies

Abstract

Adapting to environments is paramount for strengthening the well-being and quality of life. Personenvironment studies seeks, among other interests, to deepen the understanding of how to build greater congruence between individual needs and the characteristics of the physical environment to reduce pressure levels and environmental stress resulting from these adaptations. From the 1970s, this human-environmental reciprocity was explored by Lawton and colleagues in the institutional context. The theoretical pressure-competence model and the ageing-in-place concept are seen as contributions to enrich the dialogue between scholars, focusing on the human-environment congruence related to individual characteristics and environmental resources. Therefore, enhancing the role and actions of the elderly in the use of public spaces and enabling them to be included in the city planning, is to improve the active and relevant character of their achievements, favoring the emergence of new horizons.