Housing plans of the oldest old – Ageing in semi-rural areas

• Many municipalities in rural areas have decreasing population rates. Generally the young move out, increasing the share of older people and influencing the way life is led in rural areas. In this paper focus is on the housing situation and housing plans of the oldest individuals in three small, semi-rural municipalities in southern Sweden. In order to increase our understanding of the living conditions of an ageing rural population, a postal survey was conducted. In one part of the survey the respondents answered questions about their current housing situation and their housing plans for the future. The research questions analysed for this study regarded stated reasons for housing decisions and plans. 1386 surveys were sent out, i.e., to all inhabitants aged 80 years and older residing in the ordinary housing market, in the three municipalities, 817 surveys were returned providing a response rate at 60%. The aim was to determine the main reasons for remaining put in a current housing situation or reasons for why relocation could be a future option. Results show that place attachment is strong, 90% of the respondents have lived in the municipality for more than 20 years and 60% have lived in the current dwelling for more than 20 years. Ageing in place is the dominating plan although 23% answered that they do not know what will happen in future. Those that plan to move, want to move to housing that needs less maintenance than the current dwelling and to a more central location.

Subject headings

SAMHÄLLSVETENSKAP  -- Annan samhällsvetenskap -- Övrig annan samhällsvetenskap (hsv//swe)

SOCIAL SCIENCES  -- Other Social Sciences -- Other Social Sciences not elsewhere specified (hsv//eng)

Keyword

Older people

survey data

housing

semi-rural municipalities

Publication and Content Type

vet (subject category)

kon (subject category)