Living in Extended-Stay Hotels: Older Residents' Perceptions of Satisfying and Stressful Environmental Conditions

This article presents findings from a qualitative study that explores older adults' perceptions of budget hotel environments as suitable places to reside and manage health. Fifteen low-income older residents from nine hotels were interviewed using qualitative photo-elicitation methods. Through thematic analysis of transcripts and photographs, satisfying and stressful conditions were identified in the data. Residents described all-inclusive access, surveilled safety, supportive amenities, and livable communities to be satisfying environmental attributes. However, poor air quality, unsanitary surroundings, neglected property management, disruptive guests, and restrictive policies were environmental stressors. Implications and suggestions for practitioners working with older adults in hotels are discussed.