Demograficzne i kulturowe czynniki adaptacji do środowiska zbudowanego na Górnym Śląsku - postindustrialne potrzeby a wzorce zamieszkiwania na przykładzie seniorów

Abstract

In the paper there are diagnosed cultural and demographic factors shaping the dwelling conditions of senior citizens, as well as their adjustment to the new needs of the community housing construction’s inhabitants. The statistical data concerning features of elderly persons’ dwelling conditions, are comparatively analyzed within the scope of all-Poland project PolSenior (http://polsenior.iimcb.gov.pl/). On the basis of the sample, the author juxtaposes senior citizens dwelling conditions with those of senior citizens from other regions of Poland. The data show the smaller apartments’ sizes and slower dynamics of housing resources in the Upper Silesia, but also, better maintenance and fittings of the apartments in the region. Among important research findings are: ascertaining that apartments’ sizes in multi-family housing are well-fitted to the modest needs of contemporary senior citizens’ population; and that young people compete with senior citizens for small apartments, which stems from the fact that the former, having low income, prefer to choose the apartments of such for the initial years of their self-reliant professional and family lives. The data indicate the very low technical adjustment level in housing of this type to the needs of the physically disabled and senior citizens who, hence the increasing age, become less and less physically and socially independent. Notwithstanding, they rarely plan the adjusting of their apartments to the deteriorating health, and they rather adapt to the encountered difficulties than overcome them.