Health and social antecedents of relocation in rural elderly persons
Article Abstract:
For people over age 65, moving, even when well planned, is associated with higher levels of anxiety and depression, poorer physical function and poorer self-perceived health status, according to this study of 3,097 people living in two rural Iowa counties. Although there are limitations to this study, particularly in relation to the rural locations and small numbers surveyed and short duration (one year), as well as self-perceived health status, much of the data is confirmed by other studies. This study was designed to examine the relationship between planned relocation and what happened after actual relocation. Two percent of the population surveyed said they planned to relocate, and less than 5 percent actually moved a year later; the proportion of those who expressed an intent to move and who actually did so was 16 times greater than the proportion of those who said they did not intend to move but did so. In general, those who expressed intent to move, even though they may not have done so, tended to be less physically dependent, better educated and have higher incomes than those who actually relocated. Those 85 and older, the less educated, and those with lower incomes and more dependencies (physical, psychological, social, economic or a combination of these) were overrepresented among those who actually moved, as were women. Women were also overrepresented among those who intended to move. Relocation was associated with inability to perform activities of daily living, self-rating of poorer health, more doctor visits and more reported depression and anxiety. It was also associated with death of a spouse, and marriage of offspring. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)
Publication Name: Journals of Gerontology
Subject: Seniors
ISSN: 0022-1422
Year: 1990
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Cohort analysis of retirement preparation, 1974-1981
Article Abstract:
Three factors generally affect the way in which people prepare for retirement: the economic climate, level of education, and race. Moreover, it had been thought that preparation for retirement tends to increase with age, but, most recently, younger people seem to view the concept of retirement more favorably, and also may be going ahead with retirement plans earlier than older people. The data for this study came from two surveys commissioned by the National Council on the Aging; they were conducted in 1974 and in 1981. It was to designed to extend a thesis that shifts in cohort size (e.g. the number of people approaching retirement age) shift the economic climate felt by young adults and affect their attitudes and behavior related to work, marriage, childbearing and aspired standard of living. Thus, people born during ''baby bust'' years hold advantages over those born in ''baby boom'' years because the size of the cohort is relatively small. Decisions made early in life influence decisions made later in life. It should be noted that of the two surveys, 1981 was a more difficult time (incorporating a period of recession) and that issues of economics may have had more impact on survey outcomes than cohort size. It was clear that minorities and those with less education are less active in planning for retirement, and simply raising awareness of programs available to help with such planning is not sufficient. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)
Publication Name: Journals of Gerontology
Subject: Seniors
ISSN: 0022-1422
Year: 1990
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Poverty among older Americans: the plight of nonmetropolitan elders
Article Abstract:
The socioeconomic conditions among nonmetro and metro elderly Americans were compared from a survey of 56,000 households carried out by the US Bureau of the Census. Results showed that elderly persons in nonmetro residences have higher poverty rates than those residing in the metro areas with the disparity increasing with age. This may be attributed to poorer employment experiences, lower educational attaiment and poorer employment opportunities for those in the nonmetro areas. Lifetime earnings were also lower for those in the nonmetro areas resulting in lower Social Security benefits and lower pension benefits.
Publication Name: Journals of Gerontology
Subject: Seniors
ISSN: 0022-1422
Year: 1993
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