Embodied experiences of displacement in later life: An arts-based exploration of autonomy, belonging, and adaptation following conflict-related evacuation

Forced evacuation can be a profoundly destabilizing experience for older adults, whose medical, social, and psychological vulnerabilities may intensify under conditions of crisis. Despite growing research on displacement, little is known about how older adults themselves experience conflict-related evacuation and how such experiences shape emotional well-being in later life. This study explored the emotional consequences of forced home evacuation among older adults through an arts-based qualitative design. Eighteen adults aged 70–87 who had been evacuated from their homes in northern Israel participated in semi-structured interviews and projective interviews incorporating drawing and movement. Data were analyzed using inductive thematic analysis. Five themes emerged: threatened autonomy and loss of control; living in transition and temporariness; community and family as sources of support, belonging, and burden; positive growth within crisis; and returning home as a process of emotional reintegration. The findings showed that evacuation disrupted routine, independence, and environmental continuity, while community belonging, physical activity, and embodied coping practices supported adaptation. Movement and drawing revealed non-verbal dimensions of loss, regulation, and recovery that extended beyond verbal accounts alone. The study highlights the value of arts-based methods for understanding displacement in later life and suggests that supportive environments, community connection, and opportunities for meaningful activity may strengthen resilience among older adults during evacuation and return.