Poll Says 86% of Older Americans Don’t Want to Move

More and more older Americans want to stay in their homes and never move, yet more than half of those interviewed in a nationwide survey said they had done little or no planning for housing in their later years.

In the sampling of 1,500 people 55 or older, commissioned by the American Assn. of Retired Persons, 86% said they hoped to “age in place,” up from 78% in a 1986 survey.

Of the 53% who had done little or no planning, most were past age 75, had annual incomes of less than $12,000, were single and in poor health.

“In general, the people who have the strongest desire to stay put are also the most vulnerable--the old-old, the poor and the widowed,” the AARP reported. “They are more likely to be forced out of their homes because of some crisis.”

The survey found that 43% of the older Americans had not moved for more than 20 years, and just 17% had moved within the last five years. Of those who do move, 63% stay in the same city or county; 22% of the older people said they expect to move, but only 13% would want to.

“Mid-life and older people need to evaluate housing options before a crisis occurs,” the AARP concluded. “A lack of planning may force many older people out of their homes against their wishes.”

Those who are willing to move, especially the oldest respondents and those in poor health, were more receptive to age-segregated housing than they were in AARP’s previous survey in 1986; 40% would prefer a seniors-only building to one for all age groups, up from 32% in 1986.

The latest survey, conducted in 1989, also found a growing expectation among the elderly that they will need household help; 65% expect to need help with outside chores such as mowing lawns, up from 40% in 1986, and 55% expect to need help with heavy housework, up from 33% three years earlier.

“Individuals’ decision to move or stay may be influenced by how affordable, reliable and accessible home and outdoor maintenance services become,” the AARP said.

The survey found that 23% of older people live alone, with women, those 75 and older and those with incomes below $12,000 most likely to do so. Retirement communities or buildings for older adults were home to 5%, and 27% live in a neighborhood or building where a majority of the residents are 60 or older.

The telephone survey was conducted by Market Facts Inc. in June, 1989, and had a margin of error of plus or minus 3 percentage points. Results of the survey were released by the AARP this month.