Residential environment of the elderly people living in Madrid

Abstract

The aim of this paper is to study the residential environment and its perception by the elderly people ageing in place in Madrid, to obtain a better knowledge of the elements to modify in order to increase their satisfaction. The Censo de Población y Vivienda (1991) and the Survey Ageing in Place (1998) are used. In general terms, old people live in old houses, as owners, not crowded but with lack of facilities. These people have been living for a long time in the same neighbourhood, an environment affected by the problems characteristic of big cities, and are integrated in the neighbour by means of activities requiring not to much physical or financial effort. Residential lacks affect mainly to that groups with social and economic vulnerability: female, lower income and educational level, worse health status,... So, two out ten aged people would move mainly due to the negative conditions of habitability, adaptation and facilities. Moreover, reasons for not moving are related to the force of habit, the memories, or consequence of age, bad health or less resources.