JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

Many factors influence housing choices among older adults, but far from all have been identified. There is little systematic analysis that has included economic factors and virtually no knowledge about the interplay among perceived costs of moving, health status, and the mobility rate of older homeowners. It is currently unclear whether economic factors influence older adults’ willingness to move, and the effects of economic policies on their actual behaviour in the housing market are largely unknown.

Objective:

The overarching objective of AGE-HERE is to develop knowledge on the relationship between health and economic factors that incentivize or disincentivize relocation along the process of aging.

Methods:

This project uses a mixed-methods convergent design across four studies. The initial quantitative register study and subsequent qualitative focus group study will nurture the evidence base and development of a national survey. The final study will synthesize and integrate the results of the entire project.

Results:

As of submission of this protocol, ethical approval for the register study has been obtained and data analyses are underway. Meetings have been held with a non-academic reference group and the focus group study has been planned, to be followed by data collection and analyses during 2023. The survey will be administered during 2024.

Conclusions:

Results from AGE-HERE will add to the knowledge base for research on aging, health and housing, and can play a critical role in guiding future policy decisions aiming to balance the housing market. Such developments may lower related social costs and support older adults to maintain active, independent, and healthy lives.