The relationship between the living arrangement and life satisfaction of the elderly - A discussion of four regions in Taiwan

Abstract

Life satisfaction of the elderly is an important factor of aging successfully in an aging society. Given that the elderly depend on family more than the young people do, they receive support from children and spouse through living arrangement. Based on the unbalanced development of the four regions in Taiwan, this study argues the gaps in social resources and local economy performance between the regions will have different effects on the living arrangements and life satisfaction of the elderly in those areas. The study uses the data from the Elderly Situation Survey in 2005 and hierarchical regression model to explore the elderly`s living arrangements, financial status, health condition, and social support on their life satisfaction. The important finding of the study is that the elderly living in ideal living arrangement and with their children tend to have a greater impact on their life satisfaction than that the elderly living alone. There are differences in the four regions because the outward migration for employment and the high-priced real estate have significantly affected the elderly`s life satisfaction. The results imply that children should respect the living arrangement chosen by the elderly and government may consider to subsidy the elderly with weak economic status for raising their life satisfaction.