The residential geography of the elderly : a multiple-scale approach

Barnard, Katherine Carey (1978) The residential geography of the elderly : a multiple-scale approach. University of Southampton, Doctoral Thesis.

Abstract

In a society with a rapidly ageing population, the needs of the elderly can no longer be ignored. A systematic geography of old age is long overdue and, in pursuit of such a geography, this study examines the residential location of the elderly. The empirical part of this study investigates the spatial occurrence of the population at or above pensionable age at three spatial scales. On a macro-scale, the residential pattern of old people is described for the county and local authority levels of England and Wales in 1971. A mesa-scale enquiry follows, comparing the distribution of the elderly' within South West Hampshire at the numeration district level. Here distinctions are drawn between city, suburban, rural and coastal zones. Finally, a micro-scale study is undertaken of individual elderly people living in Southampton in the early 1970's. To ascertain the relevance of ageing in residential behaviour, the location and residential mobility characteristics of elderly and non-elderly populations are described and contrasted. Comparison of these two groups by the use of various statistical techniques reveals significant differences in their residential distributions. It is -suggested that the operation of the housing market and the actions of local authorities are particularly important influences on the residential pattern of the elderly. In this study it is demonstrated that both family life-cycle and inertia theories are of considerable value in the interpretation of old people's residential behaviour. General principles are extracted from the research, and it is suggested that these should be given consideration when making specialised housing provision for the elderly.

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