Do Older Adults Anticipate Relocating?

Abstract

The relationship between the occurrence of falls and the expectations older adults have about making future residential moves is examined in this research. Data from the 2002 Health and Retirement Study (HRS) are used to analyze self-reported probabilities of moving among a nationally representative sample of noninstitutionalized adults aged 65 and older. The results show that falls were predictive of anticipation of housing relocation as indicated by more than 50% reported probability of moving within the next 2 years. The results suggest that consideration of housing relocation is greater among older adults who experience tangible events indicative of a trajectory of deteriorating health.