New research has revealed that social circumstances, not just health status, significantly influence whether seniors can remain in their homes as they age—a finding that challenges assumptions about who has access to “ageing in place”.
The comprehensive study, which analysed data from 55 previous studies across North America, Europe, Australia and the United Kingdom, found surprising patterns in who can successfully remain in their communities during their later years.
“The main takeaway from our research is that aging in place is not equally accessible to everyone,” said Professor Amélie Quesnel-Vallée, the study’s senior author and Canada Research Chair in Policies and Health Inequalities.
Among the study’s most unexpected findings was that higher education—typically associated with greater resources—actually reduced the likelihood of ageing in place.
“This is surprising because higher education is usually linked with having more resources, which could support aging in place,” explained Clara Bolster-Foucault, a Ph.D. candidate at McGill and the study’s lead author. “This could be because of how education influences family structure, as people with more education tend to have children later in life and have fewer children as a result.”
Bolster-Foucault added, “All these factors make it less likely for people with more education to receive care if they need support to age in place. People with more education also tend to live longer and may need more care in later life.”
The researchers found that certain demographic groups were more likely to remain in their communities: those with stronger social connections, residents of rural areas and immigrants or members of racial and ethnic minorities. The researchers suggested this could reflect factors including stronger community ties, cultural values prioritising family caregiving, or simply limited access to long-term care facilities.
While some of these findings might appear positive, the researchers cautioned that remaining at home isn’t always ideal if appropriate support systems aren’t in place. The research team believes their findings should inform policy development to ensure that ageing in place is a viable, high-quality option for all seniors who desire it.
“These findings can inform the development of policies, programs and services to help ensure that all older adults can remain in their homes and communities for as long as they wish and are able,” the researchers noted in their paper published in the journal Age and Ageing.
As populations across developed nations continue to age rapidly, the findings underscore the complex interplay between social factors and health outcomes that shape seniors’ living situations, highlighting that the ability to age with dignity at home reflects broader social inequities beyond just health status.
Related: Listen up – hearing is part of healthy ageing
Ritchelle is a Content Producer for Healthcare Channel, Australia’s premier resource of information for healthcare.
