Residential (Im)Mobility after 75 Years in France: The Choice of ‘Ordinary Housing’ or ‘Intermediate Housing’ for Seniors

Sabrina Aouici, Caisse nationale d'assurance viellesse (CNAV)

In countries with high life expectancy, the increasing number of elderly individuals challenges public and private support systems. In this context, French public policies aim to promote senior independence, ensuring their housing supports this goal. This objective aligns with the wishes of individuals, who consider entering a nursing home as a loss of freedom. However, the ordinary home (and its location) may not allow people to remain there for the rest of life. Indeed, the housing sector for seniors has diversified significantly over recent decades with the emergence of "intermediate housing". Catering to independent retirees, they would be crucial for remaining at home by providing services that facilitate sociability and daily activities. This paper will examine residential (im)mobilities in old age, comparing ordinary homes (OH) and intermediate housing (IH) to understand how housing supports autonomy. Using a quantitative survey of 15,000 individuals aged 75 and over living in OH and IH, along with qualitative data, we analyse individual trajectories, and reasons for staying in OH or moving to IH such as previous housing issues, isolation, family proximity and financial constraints. We also explore residential immobility, particularly among those in non-adapted OH or unsatisfied in IH but who nevertheless remain.

Keywords: Population Ageing, Older Adults and Intergenerational Relations, Families, Unions and Households, Mixed methods research

See extended abstract.