Why Older Adults Consider Moving

Senior living communities are designed to support older adults through age-friendly housing and access to supportive services (Glass & Skinner, 2013). The reasons older adults consider these communities are rarely simple. For some, moving is a proactive choice: they may be seeking more opportunities for connection, less responsibility for home maintenance, or an environment that can better support future needs. For others, relocation becomes part of the conversation after daily life at home has become more difficult because of health decline, falls, loneliness, caregiver strain, or accessibility barriers (Bekhet et al., 2009; Franco et al., 2021). In either case, the decision often reflects a search for a better fit between the person’s needs and the environment in which daily life occurs.

An OT Lens: Person, Environment, and Occupation

From the occupational therapy perspective, the decision to stay or move is not just a housing decision; it is an occupational decision. Where a person lives shapes how they move through the day, care for themselves, manage household routines, access the community, participate socially, and maintain valued roles (AOTA, 2020). 

The Person–Environment–Occupation model emphasizes that occupational performance is shaped by the dynamic fit among the person, the environment, and meaningful occupations (Law et al., 1996). This model is highly relevant when supporting older adults as they decide whether to age in place or relocate. Rather than asking only, “Can this person stay at home?” OT practitioners can help older adults and families ask a more meaningful question: “What environment best supports this person’s safety and participation now and in the future?” 

If the Decision Is to Stay

For older adults who choose to remain at home, OT practitioners can help determine whether the current environment still supports the way the person lives. This means looking beyond the physical structure of the house and paying close attention to how daily life actually unfolds. For example, a staircase may seem manageable until the laundry is in the basement or the only bedroom is on the second floor. A bathroom may appear accessible until the person describes feeling unsteady while stepping into the tub. A familiar kitchen may no longer support independence if preparing a meal now requires too much standing, reaching, or carrying. 

These everyday details help OT practitioners identify where routines are still working and where they are beginning to break down. Through activity analysis and environmental assessment, OT practitioners can recommend practical changes, such as modifying the home, adapting how tasks are completed, introducing assistive technology, supporting caregivers, or connecting the person with community resources. The goal is not only to make the home “safe.” The goal is to help the older adult continue living at home in a way that supports independence and meaningful participation.

If the Decision Is to Move

When an older adult chooses to move to a senior living community, the move should not be viewed as the end of the process. Relocation is a major occupational transition. It can reduce the burden of home maintenance and increase access to support, but it can also disrupt familiar routines and valued roles. 

OT practitioners can help older adults create continuity between the former home and the new environment. For example, a resident who previously enjoyed gardening may need support finding a community garden or caring for indoor plants. A person who used to host family dinners may now need help adapting that role in a smaller apartment or shared dining environment. A resident who loves to volunteer in the community may benefit from identifying new ways to contribute to the senior living setting. 

This type of support matters because moving into a senior living community does not automatically create a sense of belonging. A person may live near others and still feel isolated. They may have access to various activities but feel unsure how to begin. OT practitioners can help residents build routines and meaningful connections in the new setting. In this way, OT support can help relocation feel less like leaving one’s life behind and more like continuing it in a new environment. By supporting familiar routines and meaningful roles, OT practitioners can help residents stay connected to who they are while adapting to their new setting. 

Conclusion 

The decision to remain at home or move to a senior living community is deeply personal. It involves practical concerns, emotional attachment, family input, and hopes for the future. Occupational therapy brings a valuable perspective by focusing not only on where an older adult can live safely, but where they can continue to live meaningfully. Whether supporting aging in place or relocation to a senior living community, OT practitioners can help older adults and families make informed, person-centered decisions that promote participation and quality of life. 

References

American Occupational Therapy Association. (2020). Occupational therapy practice framework: Domain and process (4th ed.). American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 74(Suppl. 2), 7412410010. https://doi.org/10.5014/ajot.2020.74S2001 

Bekhet, A. K., Zauszniewski, J. A., & Nakhla, W. E. (2009). Reasons for relocation to retirement communities: A qualitative study. Western Journal of Nursing Research, 31(4), 462–479. https://doi.org/10.1177/0193945909332009

Franco, B. B., Randle, J., Crutchlow, L., Heng, J., Afzal, A., Heckman, G. A., & Boscart, V. (2021). Push and pull factors surrounding older adults’ relocation to supportive housing: A scoping review. Canadian Journal on Aging, 40(2), 263–281. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0714980820000045

Glass, A. P., & Skinner, J. (2013). Retirement communities: We know what they are … or do we? Journal of Housing for the Elderly, 27(1–2), 61–88. https://doi.org/10.1080/02763893.2012.754815

Law, M., Cooper, B., Strong, S., Stewart, D., Rigby, P., & Letts, L. (1996). The Person–Environment–Occupation model: A transactive approach to occupational performance. Canadian Journal of Occupational Therapy, 63(1), 9–23. https://doi.org/10.1177/000841749606300103

Lebrusán, I., & Gómez, M. V. (2022). The importance of place attachment in the understanding of ageing in place: “The stones know me.” International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19(24), Article 17052.  https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph192417052