The impact of housing relocation on the elderly: an alternative methodological approach

This article examines the impact of housing relocation on the patterns of interaction and life satisfaction of a sample of older, married adults living in an urban area of central Arkansas. Interviews were conducted with 115 individuals residing in congregate housing and with a matched sample of 105 persons living in independent residential units. Respondents in the two settings fail to demonstrate significant differences in frequencies of social interaction. Patterns of interaction in five specific areas also reveal no appreciable variation. In addition, the time-related effects of congregate dwelling are suggestive but not confirming of negative changes in both interaction and satisfaction. On the other hand, regardless of residential duration, health, sex or age, independent residents exhibit higher life satisfaction. The data suggest the congregate setting to possess insufficient resources to offset the objective and subjective decrements of old age.