[Subjective time left in life and precautionary relocation planning in the last half of life]

Many people wish to remain in current residence for as long as possible. Nonetheless, they do think about their residential future. For older people the question of where to live must be considered with respect to age-related changes and continuity. So far only little research has been focused on the influence of the subjective perception of remaining lifetime until death on plans for the future, for example regarding relocation.

This study investigated the influence of the subjective perception of time left to live on relocation planning and its timing in the further course of life.

The data were obtained from a paper-pencil questionnaire including 2156 persons aged 50 years and older (average age  65.5 years, SD = 9.7 years, range 50-94 years, 51.1 % female) who were asked about their wishes and plans for the future, particularly about their relocation considerations and the subjective perception of remaining time until death.

Approximately 39 % of the subjects considered relocation in the further course of life. Besides social demographics, current housing and the state of health, the subjective time left in life had a significant influence on the consideration of relocation and its timing in the further course of life. Persons who perceived their time horizon as limited considered relocation later in life (temporizing relocation planning) than persons who perceived themselves to have more time left in life. Their temporal occurrence of precautionary relocation planning is embedded earlier in the course of life.

Thoughts about the residential future of older people should be considered not only in connection with the content of these wishes but also related to the future time perspective and the timing in the further course of life. This can be of assistance in consultation and decision-making situations.