Environmental gerontology

Although it is often overlooked, "home" is at the core of environmental gerontology. We hear phrases such as "Home Sweet Home," "Home is where the heart is," and "A house is not a home."

According to http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/home, home can be defined as:

1. a house,apartment,orothershelterthatistheusual residenceofaperson,family,orhousehold.2. theplacein whichone's domesticdomesticaffectionsarecentered.3. aninstitutionforthehomeless,sick,etc.:anursinghome.4. thedwellingplaceorretreatofananimal.5. theplaceorregionwheresomethingisnativeormost common.

Please note that only option #2 has an affective element.

Question....

Given experiences - both personal and professional, what is your definition of home? What are the qualities of "home"? Is there a difference between "home" and "a home"? Generally, how does the meaning of home evolve over the lifespan? Do you have a client for whom "home" is a central focus of his/her identity? If so, how does that focus manifest itself?

Cite 3 references.