ARE PRIVATE BEDROOMS NECESSARY FOR RESIDENTIAL FACILITIES FOR THE ELDERLY IN CHINA?

– A study on residents’ preferences in Shanghai –

Abstract

As hundreds of residential facilities for the elderly are built in China every year, the necessity of providing private bedrooms for Chinese seniors remains controversial. This study investigated facility residents’ preferences for bedroom types through a questionnaire survey in Shanghai. The results suggested greatly separated preferences for private bedrooms and double bedrooms, which were significantly related to respondents’ gender, former occupation and marital status. Moreover, elders’ opinions on bedroom sharing indicated distinct values regarding collectivism and individualism. The results are expected to further the understanding of Chinese elders’ concerns about spatial privacy, thus benefit the architectural planning of relevant facilities.