Title: Geographic mobility of the very old: motives and explanations.

POPLINE Document Number: 074529

Author(s):

De Jong GF
Wilmoth JM
Angel JL
Cornwell GT

Source citation:

University Park, Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania State University, Population Research Institute, 1992 May. 20, [9] p. (Working Paper No. 1992-10)

Abstract:

The 1984 and 1990 Longitudinal Study of Aging (LSOA) data were used to predict geographical mobility of the aged. LSOA was a national sample of 7341 respondents aged 70 and over in 1984 who reached the age of 76 and over by 1990. The responses of 3889 very old not institutionalized in 1990 were analyzed. Geographic mobility was measured by reinterviews in 1988 and 1990 concerning an intercounty move since the 1984 survey. Family structure was derived from 1984 measures of living arrangement, gender of children, and nearness to children. Socioeconomic status was determined using the 1984 family income and individual education variables. Logistic regression was used to test the nonmigrant vs. migrant behavior model. 14.8% of the sample migrated across county boundaries, and while affiliation migration reached 22% (nonwhite, lower home ownership, short community residence, living with spouse, more than an hour away from children), health, comfort, and economic security induced migration each scored 17-19%. Health (18%) did not prove the be the dominant motive for migration. Instrumental disability (preparing meals, doing housework) had increased since 1984 impacting more health motivated migrants. Comfort and economic security motivated migrants had less disability increase than nonmigrants. Comfort migration was higher in metropolitan areas boosted by higher education, lower home ownership, and shorter stay in the community. Economic security motivated migrants had a shorter stay in the community whose children lived less than an hour away. Health motivated migrants were the oldest females with lower family income and likely to live alone. A smaller group of family crisis motivated migrants tended to be white with higher education, and likely to live with a spouse. Motives for migration included above average education, not owning a home, and short time in the community. Economic security, housing, community, and comfort were the major motivators of intercounty moves.

Keywords:

United States
Older Adults
Migration, Internal
Logistic Model
Old Age Security
Family Characteristics
Socioeconomic Status
Health
Educational Status
Longitudinal Studies
Housing
Community
Developed Countries
North America
Americas
Adults
Age Factors
Population Characteristics
Demographic Factors
Population
Migration
Population Dynamics
Mathematical Model
Models, Theoretical
Research Methodology
Microeconomic Factors
Economic Factors
Family and Household
Socioeconomic Factors
Studies
Residence Characteristics
Population Distribution
Geographic Factors