Is There a Cohort Explanation for Declines in Elderly Migration?

Previous research documented a dramatic decline in the residential mobility of elderly Canadians (65 years and older) since 1961. We examine more recent data from the 2011 and 2016 censuses to update findings and extend previous research. We first found that elderly residential mobility has continued to decline. There were substantial declines of 20 per cent and more for all types of residential mobility. Second, descriptive analysis of changes over time in the proportion of the population that lives in a different province than their province of birth for 1871 to the present suggests that the 1906–1925 birth cohorts experienced migration rates that were slightly higher than comparable later cohorts. Third, multivariate analysis of 1971–2016 interprovincial migration data shows that the 1906–1925 birth cohort who entered early adult years during World War II had higher migration rates than earlier or later birth cohorts. The cohort explanation accounted for 10 per cent of the decrease in elderly migration between 1981 and 2016. A cohort explanation can therefore contribute to understanding decreased elderly migration, but many questions remain for future study.

Experiences of elderly migrants in a new country

International elderly migration is characterized by the movement of elderly people from their home countries to settle in new countries either as migrants in search of better opportunities or as refugees forced to flee as a result of unpleasant circumstances such as war. In their new countries elderly migrants face both pleasant experiences and challenges that may affect their settlement and integration in the new societies. The challenges include language difficulties, culture shock, loneliness, difficulties in accessing social and health services facilities, and inadequate support systems. Various policies in the new countries impact on the settlement outcome of this group. Upon retirement some elderly migrants remain in their new countries, others relocate back to their original countries, or live in both countries at different seasons of the year. This article explores the elderly migration experiences and the support systems that could assist the well-being of this population.

Applying the Push-Pull Framework to Downsizing in Late Life

One of the most frequently cited theoretical models of relocation decision-making is Wiseman’s Behavioral Model of Elderly Migration. Based on this model, the present study used a push-pull framework to describe older adults’ reasons for downsizing to a smaller home. A sample of 68 older adults who had downsized in the past year provided reasons for moving from their previous residence (push factors) and reasons for moving specifically to their new residence (pull factors). Participants rated the importance of each push/pull factor using a (1) not at all important to (4) extremely important scale. On average, participants rated pull factors (M = 3.63, SD = .31) as slightly more important than push factors (M = 3.54, SD = .40) in their decision to move. The most frequently reported push factors were declining health (n = 47, 22%), having too much space or maintenance (n = 40, 19%), and disliking the location of their previous residence (n = 30, 14%). The most commonly reported pull factors were the attractive location of the new residence (n = 60, 28%), social factors (e.g., being closer to family and friends; n = 36, 17%), and services or amenities available in the new residence (n = 32, 15%). Qualitative responses will be presented to illustrate the interaction between push and pull factors in participants’ relocation decision-making. Findings are consistent with those identified in other studies on late-life relocation, establishing Wiseman’s behavioral model as a useful framework for investigating downsizing in late life.

PROJECT SILVER COLUMBIA AND LONGSTAY: INSIGHTS FROM JAPAN FOR THE STUDY OF THE WORLDWIDE ELDERLY MIGRATION

As in most developed economies of the world, Japanese low fertility rates have been a pressing issue for the last decades. In this sense, the debate on migration is crucial not only to keep the benefits attained by the Japanese during the period of high economic growth in the end of 20th century, but also to thrive in the years to come. Most migration policies related to the balance of age cohorts invites younger people to immigrate; however, in Japan, there was a public initiative in the end of the 1980’s, which promoted the emigration of elderly, the Silver Columbia project. This paper presents a review of Silver Columbia and its aftermath using articles from academic journals and media discussing arguments against and for its implementation. The experience was both a controversial measure to support a nationwide population policy and failed because of the lack of application of basic marketing principles in the public sector. The case study brings valuable insight for the worldwide elderly migration, their active participation in host societies and tourism.

ELDERLY MIGRATION IN THE MORE AND LESS DEVELOPED COUNTRIES: A LITERATURE REVIEW

Tulisan ini bertujuan mendiskusikan migrasi yang dilakukan oleh penduduk lanjut usia, baik di negara-negara maju maupun di negara-negara yang sedang berkembang. Dalam tulisan ini dibahas faktor-faktor penyebab terjadinya migrasi serta jenis migrasi yang dilakukan oleli para lanjut usia. Literatur mengenai migrasi penduduk lanjut usia kebanyakan berdasarkan pada koudisi di negara-negara maju. Namun demikian, pada keadaan tertentu ada relevansinya dengan negara-negara sedang berkembang. Berdasarkan studi kepustakaan didapatkan bahwa ada beberapa jenis migrasi yang dilakukan oleh penduduk lanjut usia. Kategori yang dimaksud adalah migration for amenity, return migration, assistance migration, dan kinship migration. Dari semua kategori tersebut, assistance migration kelihatannya paling relevan bagi penduduk lanjut usia di negara-negaraberkembang, diikuti oleb kinship migration dan return migration.

Elderly Migration in China: Types, Patterns, and Determinants

We examined the migration patterns of older adults in China and the determinants associated with migration. Using select data from the 2011 China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS), we conducted a spatial analysis to explore the geographical patterns of different types of older migrants. The relationships between personal, environmental attributes, and migration were examined using logistic-linear modeling techniques. Approximately 6.6% of the Chinese adults aged 60 and older migrated in the past 10 years. Elderly migration occurred primarily in metropolitan areas and frontier provinces in China. Personal attributes, family structure, and housing conditions were associated with migration. The spatial patterns were associated with personal culture background, social policy, and regional development. The implications of elderly migration, with respect to establishing proper social policy and paying attention to the living environment of both migrant and non-migrant elders were discussed.