An unexpected factor of happiness for people over 65 has been revealed

Scientists from Ege University in Turkey have found that the ability of elderly people to continue living in their own homes is directly linked to their level of happiness. The article presenting the results of this study, published in the journal Scientific Reports, demonstrates that for the emotional well-being of retirees, a familiar living environment and social connections play a more significant role than ideal physical health.

The survey involved 394 people over the age of 65, with the average age of volunteers being 72. The specialists surveyed patients at Turkish hospitals who were being treated in cardiology and gastroenterology departments, assessing their living conditions and emotional state. Those elderly individuals who were able to maintain the opportunity to live in their familiar home environment felt significantly happier than those who had moved to residential care facilities and lost their accustomed way of life. The connection between comfortable living in one's own home and joy in life proved to be statistically significant and very strong.

Furthermore, a detailed analysis of the data showed that the highest level of satisfaction was demonstrated by retirees who regularly communicated with neighbors and friends. The opportunity to see loved ones turned out to be even more important for happiness than the ability to take care of oneself independently in daily life. Scientists explain this phenomenon by the fact that one's own home is not simply a roof over one's head, but a place where personal identity, autonomy, and a sense of security are preserved—things that become particularly fragile in old age.

"Creating a comfortable environment for retirees should not be limited solely to medical care or adapting apartments for people with limited mobility," the authors of the study note. In their opinion, it is vitally important to develop programs that help elderly people socialize.

The global aging of the population poses serious challenges for society. According to projections by the World Health Organization, by 2030 every sixth person on the planet will have crossed the 60-year threshold. Worldwide, the proportion of older people is also steadily growing, and the majority of them prefer to remain in their own apartments as long as possible, avoiding a move to care homes or to their children's homes.