Older Persons Who Move: Reasons and Health Consequences

Abstract

On the basis of data from the Longitudinal Survey of Aging (LSOA), 1984-1990, this article analyzes reasons for, and determinants of, moving among subjects 70 years or older. More than 60% of the mover sample gave their own poor health, their spouse's poor health/death, and/or their desire for close kinship as reasons they moved, and more than 25% cited money problems as a reason. Blacks and women were more likely to cite desire for close kinship than were Whites and men. The comparison between 615 movers and 3,445 nonmovers also showed that moving late in life contributes to the deterioration of health to a small but significant degree. Social services and financial assistance for children and other relatives who take in ailing elderly relatives are recommended. Social services and programs to help alleviate the stress and ease the transition of moving for older persons are also discussed.