Perceived reasons of unsafety among independently living older adults in Sweden

ABSTRACT Feeling safe is important for quality of life in advanced age. The current study aimed to investigate whether different perceived reasons for unsafety uniquely contribute to the feelings of unsafety in the neighbourhood and at home while ageing. Data from a cross-sectional survey study on older adults living independently in Sweden were analysed (N = 622, age range 64–106 years, 60.6% female). Binary logistic regressions revealed unique associations between fear of crime, unattractive social climate in the neighbourhood, and inconvenient infrastructure at home with experienced feelings of unsafety, while controlling for socio-demographic factors. When distinguishing between reasons for feeling unsafe in the neighbourhood and at home, different associations with socio-demographic factors emerged. Higher age was positively associated with health-related unsafety both in the neighbourhood and at home and was not related to fear of crime neither in the neighbourhood nor at home. Female gender was associated with both health-related unsafety and fear of crime in the neighbourhood and with health-related unsafety at home. Overall, the findings highlight the presence of a range of perceived reasons of unsafety relevant for older adults and the importance to consider these subjective unsafety reasons in further research and practice.