[Considering housing arrangements in elderly life: factors influencing plans concerning future housing arrangements and preferences in a representative sample of 45+ year olds].
BACKGROUND
Providing care and support for the elderly is a future challenge.


METHODS
Using regression analysis, a representative population-based sample (n = 1,445) was examined with respect to whether they had considered future housing and which variables influenced their thoughts and preferences.


RESULTS
The majority of the sample reported thinking about housing in old age and preferred to stay at home in old age. Thoughts about future housing and housing preferences were predicted by different factors in the age groups analyzed. Thinking about future housing was positively associated with increasing age and depression. Other relevant predictors were gender, living with a partner, images of old age (especially negative ones), and anticipated subjective health. These variables also predicted housing preferences.


CONCLUSIONS
Thoughts about future living arrangements are widespread, and their importance increases with age. The wishes reported do contrast to a certain extent with reality. Planning future care as well as developing consultation guidelines should address these issues while considering the reported influences.
Abteilung für Medizinische Psychologie und Medizinische Soziologie, Universität Leipzig , Philipp-Rosenthal-Str. 55, 04103, Leipzig, Deutschland. Lena.Spangenberg@medizin.uni-leipzig.de
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Spangenberg
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Glaesmer
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Brähler
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Kersting
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Strauß
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001007:Anxiety / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology*; D003258:Consumer Behavior / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D005858:Germany / Q000453:epidemiology; D006798:Housing / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence