Policy Recommendations for Aging-Friendly Rural Houses: A Weihai Case Study

The urgency of population aging and housing conditions has made the residential environment a crucial factor influencing the health and well-being of elderly individuals, particularly in rural areas. In China, elderly residents in rural regions commonly face aging housing structures, inadequate indoor thermal comfort, and limited policy support for housing renovation. This study systematically examines the housing conditions and indoor thermal environment of elderly residents in rural Weihai, China. Based on field surveys conducted in six villages, a total of 340 valid questionnaires were collected from elderly residents aged 60 and above. The findings reveal that the spatial layout of rural housing presents safety risks, and the indoor thermal environment fails to meet the comfort needs of most elderly residents. Although a majority of respondents expressed dissatisfaction with indoor thermal conditions, financial constraints hindered many elderly individuals from undertaking housing renovations. This study highlights the negative impact of the current rural housing environment on the safety and comfort of elderly residents and proposes policy recommendations based on survey data. The proposed measures include: establishing a comprehensive policy framework for rural housing, providing housing subsidies tailored for elderly rural residents, improving rural infrastructure and public services, and enhancing technical support and training to improve the living quality and well-being of the elderly in rural areas.