Living Arrangements and Lifestyle Satisfaction among the Elderly in Chinese Immigrant Families: A Preliminary Study.

Background: The aims of this preliminary study were to understand the relationshipbetween the living arrangements and lifestyle satisfaction through investigatinghow choices of living arrangements impacted upon lifestyle satisfactionof elderly Chinese immigrants in London.Methods: A qualitative research methodology with semi-structured, face-to-face andin-depth interviews was utilized with eight elderly couples of Chinese immigrantfamilies from Vietnam and Hong Kong.Results: The results indicated that the desirability of current lifestyle was associatedwith lifestyle satisfaction. Among 12 participants who desired their currentlifestyles, nine reported this having a "positive effect" on their lifestyle satisfaction,and no negative effects were reported. In comparison, the negativeeffects on lifestyle satisfaction were found among four participants who didnot desire their current independent residence from their adult children. Thereasons the participants desired or not their current lifestyles and the effectson their lifestyle satisfaction were explored qualitatively. The participantsmight consider family situations (finance, health, age, and kin network) tosome extent, but not see them as key determinants in making decisions aboutliving arrangements. However, the Chinese cultural beliefs in living arrangementchoices were highly visible in their reports.Conclusion: The findings suggested that the elderly participants' desirability of their currentlifestyles was positively associated with the level of lifestyle satisfaction.The issue of the living arrangements and lifestyle satisfaction of theelderly acquires new significance at a time when the population in Taiwan isaging, and the socio-economic and cultural changes are more radical thanever.