A Qualitative Study of the Effects of Residential Mobility on the Quality of Life Among the Elderly

Abstract

Improving the quality of life of the elderly has become a challenge for service providers and an academic subject of great interest for researchers. Moreover, as the life span is increasing due to better economic and social conditions the elderly are becoming increasingly mobile in relation to their living arrangements (i.e. their residence). However, few studies have investigated how increased mobility contributes to this improvement in different aspects of the lives of the elderly from the global approach of the quality of life. The aim of this contribution is to better understand the influence of residential mobility in various dimensions of their life, noting how living conditions have been modified and are affecting the quality of life. A qualitative method was used in this study, applying thematic analysis. Twenty in-depth interviews concerning mobility were conducted with people over the age of 60 years moving from Madrid to other areas of Spain. URN: urn:nbn:de:0114-fqs0802227