In last week’s post, we discussed a recent study that highlighted the importance of social engagement for helping older adults stay happy and healthy as they age. The same research also found that a large majority of respondents want to remain in their own homes, though many are unable to do so. The study produced additional insights into the effects of living with an adult child on older adults’ quality of life.
A look at healthy aging
The MHI 2023 Global Healthy Aging Survey gathered responses from more than 21,000 people aged 55 and older across 21 countries, with roughly 1,000 participants per country. The survey examined perceptions, preferences, and activities related to health, assessing 53 different factors to determine which matters most to older adults and how those factors influence well-being.
Analysis of the survey showed that a sense of purpose, effective stress management, regular physical activity, lifelong learning, meaningful relationships, and financial stability play central roles in how respondents view healthy aging. The findings also emphasized that social participation has a positive impact on perceived health, with volunteering showing the strongest association with healthy aging.
>> Related: Kindness Matters: How Volunteering Can Benefit Seniors’ Health
The common desire to remain in the home
The study also explored respondents’ current living situations and housing preferences. Predictably, 80% of survey participants said they prefer to remain in their homes as they age. This includes:
- 41% who currently live in their own house or apartment and want to stay there as they grow older.
- 39% who do not currently live in their own house or apartment but would prefer independent living in their own place. This group may include people living with friends or relatives, those in assisted living or memory care, or others in non-independent arrangements.
That roughly 80% figure is consistent with multiple surveys over time: most older adults want to age in place. However, remaining at home can present challenges. Those living alone may face risks such as sudden medical emergencies without immediate access to help, or they may struggle to manage household tasks and self-care. In such cases, moving in with family or transitioning to a senior living community may become necessary to ensure safety and access to care.
>> Related: How to Constructively Talk with Parents About Senior Housing Options
Assessing the ability to remain in the home
The MHI survey’s findings about older adults’ desire to stay in their homes point to several practical considerations.
For those who want to age in place, planning should begin early—often during midlife. An honest assessment of finances, social supports, and the home itself will help determine whether living at home is feasible and safe as needs change.
- Are home modifications needed, such as adding a ground-floor bedroom and bath?
- Is there a family member willing and able to provide care, or can paid caregiving and support services (including home maintenance) be budgeted? Often a combination of paid care and family support is required for successful aging in place.
- Are there technology tools that can support independence and safety—such as remote monitoring systems or medication management devices?
The senior living and care industry should also heed these results. As populations age, stakeholders must ensure access to high-quality services that align with older adults’ desire for independence. That may mean expanding in-home care and community-based options that let people remain engaged while receiving necessary support.
These considerations tie back to healthy aging and overall quality of life. Another noteworthy finding from the survey relates to older adults living with their adult children.
>> Related: New Statistics Could Reshape the Meaning of Aging in Place
Quality of life impacted by living with adult children
Intergenerational programs and multi-generational living can offer mutual benefits, and previous research has shown advantages for both older adults and younger generations. The MHI study defined intergenerational households as those where older adults live with their adult children and examined how that arrangement related to health outcomes.
Among older adults with low care needs, those living with an adult child tended to report better or much better health than those living alone or living with both a spouse and an adult child. However, the benefits varied by economic context. Respondents in low- and middle-income economies reported the greatest gains—especially in physical and social health. In upper-middle-income economies, moderate benefits were observed across mental, physical, social, and spiritual health.
In high-income economies, such as the United States, older adults living in intergenerational households reported minimal health benefits across the four dimensions measured. In some cases, social stigma around living with adult children may even negatively affect mental health for older adults.
Intergenerational living can also impose burdens on the adult child. Many members of the “sandwich generation”—those raising children while caring for aging parents—face financial strain, career impacts, and stress that affect relationships and health.
>> Related: Is Retiring Where Your Grandchildren Live a Good Move?
A renewed focus on older adults’ quality of life
MHI’s research adds to a growing body of evidence about older adults’ priorities for healthy aging. Both society and the senior living industry should pay attention to these preferences because they directly affect quality of life.
It is important for older adults to conduct unbiased assessments of their own situations to identify which living options best align with their goals for healthy aging. Many people find themselves in arrangements that don’t match their preferences—whether that means moving to assisted living or relocating to a family member’s home—so early planning is crucial for those who wish to age in place.
Given that many people in the U.S. live far from extended family, the MHI findings also point to an opportunity for the senior living industry: creating more age-inclusive communities where regular interaction between generations is encouraged. Partnerships with colleges, schools, daycares, or community centers can make intergenerational programming easier to access and mutually beneficial.
Whether older adults live in their own homes or in retirement communities, exploring innovative senior living solutions can help ensure they enjoy the quality of life they deserve.