Indoor comfort domains and well-being of older adults in residential settings: A scoping review

Abstract

This study provides a comprehensive scoping review of the literature on the well-being of residential environments for older adults, addressing multiple domains of indoor comfort. The aim is to investigate the gap in environmental standards research for older adults, acknowledging the global challenge of an ageing population. As residential settings become the primary living spaces for older adults in later life, the interrelated domains of indoor comfort significantly impact their well-being. The concept of “Aging in Place” underscores the importance of appropriate indoor comfort design to enhance the autonomy of older adults. Using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA), this scoping review establishes a broad scientific foundation for future research by identifying, analysing, and categorising existing studies on indoor comfort domains for older adults. The review investigates, in total, 173 studies in six domains of indoor comfort: thermal, air quality, visual, acoustic, ergonomic, and multiple domains, highlighting existing knowledge gaps and suggesting possible directions for future research. There is a growing trend toward holistic research methods integrating physical, psychological, and social factors in indoor comfort research for older adults. The definition of indoor comfort needs and levels for older adults varies across regions due to cultural, climatic, and residential type differences. Furthermore, design recommendations across multiple domains present contradictions that need careful evaluation and application by designers and engineers. Future research could focus on adaptive long-term health impacts and integrate findings across indoor comfort domains to inform policy and practice in residential settings.