There is a need for society to develop counseling systems to meet very old people's ambivalence and practical considerations to move or not to move. Thus, the ambivalence to stay put or to relocate needs to be further explored from an applied perspective by also taking nonmovers into account.

The decision to relocate in old age is intricately linked to thoughts and desires to stay put. However, most research focuses either on strategies that allow people to age in place or on their reasons for relocation. There is a need for more knowledge on very old peoples' residential reasoning, including thoughts about aging in place and thoughts about relocation as one intertwined process evolving in everyday life. The aim of this study was to explore what we refer to as the process of residential reasoning and how it changes over time among very old people, and to contribute to the theoretical development regarding aging in place and relocation. Taking a longitudinal perspective, data stem from the ENABLE-AGE In-depth Study, with interviews conducted in 2003 followed up in interviews in 2011. The 16 participants of the present study were 80-89years at the time of the first interview. During analysis the Theoretical Model of Residential Normalcy by Golant and the Life Course Model of Environmental Experience by Rowles & Watkins were used as sensitizing concepts. The findings revealed changes in the process of residential reasoning that related to a wide variety of issues. Such issues included the way very old people use their environmental experience, their striving to build upon or dismiss attachment to place, and their attempts to maintain or regain residential normalcy during years of declining health and loss of independence. In addition, the changes in reasoning were related to end-of-life issues. The findings contribute to the theoretical discussion on aging in place, relocation as a coping strategy, and reattachment after moving in very old age.

Relocation in very old age is considered to be a major life event and a move could be triggered by many different economic, social, health-related, or environmental reasons. Based on the notion of person-environment (P-E) fit as expressed in the Ecological Theory of Ageing, the aim of this prospective study over 4 years was to explore which aspects of housing and health predict relocation to ordinary or special housing among very old people. At baseline, the participants (80-89 years old) lived alone in ordinary housing in Sweden (N = 384). Data collection at home visits included assessments and observations on aspects of objective and perceived housing as well as on aspects of health. After 4 years, 18 % (n = 70) of the participants had moved, either to ordinary housing (n = 24) or to special housing (n = 46). Cox regression models showed dependence in cleaning, perceived functional independence, and living in a one-family house to predict moves to ordinary housing. Dependence in cooking, cognitive deficits, and accessibility problems predicted moves to special housing. In conclusion, aspects of housing and health are related to relocation in very old age, but in different patterns for relocation to ordinary housing and special housing, respectively. This kind of knowledge has practical implications for relocation counselling and societal planning targeting very old people.

BackgroundHousing environments that hinder performance of daily activities and impede participation in social life have negative health consequences particularly for the older segment of the population. From a public health perspective accessible housing that supports active and healthy ageing is therefore crucial. The objective of the present study was to make an inventory of environmental barriers and investigate accessibility problems in the ordinary housing stock in Sweden as related to the functional capacity of senior citizens. Particular attention was paid to differences between housing types and building periods and to identify environmental barriers generating the most accessibility problems for sub-groups of senior citizens.MethodsData on environmental barriers in dwellings from three databases on housing and health in old age was analysed (N = 1021). Four functional profiles representing large groups of senior citizens were used in analyses of the magnitude and severity of potential accessibility problems. Differences in terms of type of housing and building period were examined.ResultsHigh proportions of one-family houses as well as multi-dwellings had substantial numbers of environmental barriers, with significantly lower numbers in later building periods. Accessibility problems occurred already for senior citizens with few functional limitations, but more profound for those dependent on mobility devices. The most problematic housing sections were entrances in one-family houses and kitchens of multi-dwellings.ConclusionsDespite a high housing standard in the Swedish ordinary housing stock the results show substantial accessibility problems for senior citizens with functional limitations. To make housing accessible large-scale and systematic efforts are required.

No abstract