assemblies or village renewal activities, it can be found, that one third of those, who articulate
their concerns publicly, also participate in assemblies or village renewal activities, about 20% do
not articulate their concerns publicly, but take part in assemblies or village renewal activities;
and one third neither articulates their concerns publicly, nor participates in municipal
development activities.
This indicates high reliance on the municipality as a “system as a local authority to act as
a carer”.
Anticipating the (future) migration behaviour of today’s best ager: high willingness to
stay and to age in place
First of all, among the best agers a high willingness “to age in residence” can be found. For
similar results see amongst others Kramer and Pfaffenbach (2011).
However, five relevant motives that possibly can promote out-migration have been identified:
illness and need for (long-time) care, death of one’s husband/wife, one’s own house turns into
a burden (for similar results see Wiles et al. 2009), loss of auto-mobility, and lack of
infrastructure.
Related to the aspect of illness and need for (long-time) care, the respondents “realistically”
estimate the importance of ambulant care and stationary care for the elderly.
Synthesis of results and breaking points in structurally weak rural municipalities
Heterogeneity among primary dwellers aged 55 to 65 years regarding socio-economic and
-demographic aspects, living conditions and spatial lifestyles already is high and is still
increasing. Different occupational and migration biographies as well as personal attributes (e. g.
financial capacities, socio-spatial patterns of family support) imply a range of experiences and
habits, claims and demands, and cause differences relating to the evaluation of one’s local
quality of life. Collectively, themes that touch old age and frailty are being repressed.
Auto mobility has been widely spread among population aged 55 to 65 years. This implies an
increasing external orientation and more regionalised life styles (freedom of choice related to
goods and services) that lead to a mismatch of evaluation of the quality of local supply
structures and shopping behaviour comprising different infrastructure acceptance from
the stakeholders. Best agers wish to be able to drive a car as long as possible and to stay in
good health up to old age (for similar findings see Erickson, Call and Brown 2012). These
factors are highly relevant for the maintenance of one’s subjective quality of life.
There is a high loyalty to location related to leisure behaviour. It also depends on the residences
of family members, relatives, and friends. Social cohesion within the families, family support is
being weakened by socio-spatial patterns.
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One’s own house and garden, as well as the quality of the residential areas and the housing
environment (“nature”) plays an important role. Related to spatial perception, unpleasant
changes within the residential municipalities and deficiencies individually are being balanced
with amenities and emotional bonds.
Compared to the number of stressed deficiencies and identified negative developments, there is
little affection or rather stated reasonableness.
There is a mismatch of (spatial) perception of deficiencies and uncertainties relating to one’s
future quality of life, and the willingness to take functions, and political scopes at the municipal
level.