Exploring the Reasons to Age Well in Place: A Qualitative Inquiry Among Older Adults in Migrant Households of Kerala

The convergence of youth migration and the disintegration of joint families have resulted in households with older adults living alone or with a spouse. Despite the potential to relocate with their kin afar, older adults in migrant households often choose to age in place amidst the vulnerabilities of long-distance care. The study aims to explore the perceptions and experiences of aging well in migrant households using an inductive approach. In-depth interviews were conducted with 20 older adults who age alone or with their spouse in migrant households in three geographic zones of Kerala using purposive sampling. Thematic analysis revealed four major themes: a sense of belonging, social support and exchange, autonomy, and challenges in relocating with children abroad are the reasons for older adults to age well in place. The study findings reveal that support from neighborhoods, religious groups and extended families helps individuals age well in place, even when in-person intergenerational care is compromised. Targeted interventions, including community-based support groups, digital interventions, and home-based care assistance that foster aging well in place, are imperative in addressing the care demands of older adults.