ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses some of the psychological benefits older people derive from living in their homes and some of the factors that influence the relevance of particular benefits for particular people. It also discusses the subjective dimension of older people’s attachment to their homes. The particular psychological aspects of staying home most important to particular individuals are likely to depend on gender, socioeconomic status, health status, and marital status. Marital status is associated with differences in the psychological significance of home. Both family and professional caregivers at times underestimate the psychological meaning of the home, because of their focus on physical security and medical needs. Extroverted individuals may find that the greatest meaning of their homes lies in their neighborhoods and in the home as a site for social interaction. Personality styles and personality disorders can strongly influence people’s feelings about their homes, and their reactions to a change in residence or living arrangements.
