Housing Relocation and Residential Satisfaction After Relocation: Effects of Dwelling Condition Changes on Older Adults in the Community

Background: This study seeks to analyze the trajectories of residential satisfaction among older adults before and after relocation and explore the variability in the relationship between relocation and residential satisfaction based on changes in housing conditions during the relocation process. Methods: Utilizing a nationally representative longitudinal dataset of older adults (N = 2718), this study employs individual-level fixed effect regression models to estimate the association between the timing of relocation and residential satisfaction. Stratified analyses are also conducted to explore how this association varies based on changes in housing conditions. Results: Residential satisfaction tends to decrease before relocation, peaks at the time of relocation, and maintain higher levels as older adults adapt to their new environment. This adaptation process varies depending on changes in dwelling conditions during relocation, with transitions from poor to non-poor housing conditions positively affecting psychological responses, while moves from non-poor to poor conditions can lead to increased psychological burden and prolonged adjustment periods. Discussion: Aging policies can prioritize programs that facilitate adjustment to new environments to improve residential satisfaction of older adults, thereby promoting healthy aging.