Living Arrangements among the Elderly

Abstract

This article examines why living arrangements among the elderly are changing in Spain. Although this process has been going on for decades, it remains under-examined from a sociological point of view. Our theoretical framework distinguishes between two basic residential forms among the elderly population: Residential independence, which refers to those living in two-person households with a partner, as well as those living alone; and intergenerational cohabitation, in which the elderly live with family members of other generations. We have used a qualitative methodological strategy, using discussion groups as a technique to generate data, and grounded theory as our approach for data analysis. Our analysis is focused on a specific group involved in this social process: the elderly who live alone. Our findings reveal a number of subjective reasons for the continuing growth of residential independence among the elderly in detriment to intergenerational cohabitation.