Psychology of “Ageing in Place” Amidst Health and Social Threats: Perspectives on the Decade of Healthy Ageing

The concept of diminishing life space posits that neighbourhoods facing health and social threats (i.e. war or violence, climate change, extreme industrialisation, and outbreaks of infectious diseases) less support “ageing in place.” Older victims of these threats are less capable of utilising neighbourhood resources (e.g. services, parks, and social support) to maintain health. This chapter extends the scope of the concept by putting forward the ideal psychology for “ageing in place” and proffering implications for healthy ageing. Older adults experiencing the threats are likely to lose their affective advantage from which the ultimate psychology for “ageing in place” comes. Affective advantage refers to a strong space attachment resulting from safety, tranquillity, and familiarity with one’s neighbourhood. It is the basis of abridged psychological distance, a mental state characterised by negligible fear and anxiety about the threats. Abridged psychological distance is superior to neighbourhood psychological distance and out-of-neighbourhood psychological distance, which older residents must be supported to avoid. Stakeholders ought to consider these three types of psychological distance and how they are influenced by the threats in implementing the Decade of Healthy Ageing campaign 2021–2030.