Retention of Older In‐Migrants: Role of Family, Friends, and Community Services

Abstract

The growth in the proportion of older persons in the population directs more attention to their resources and migration. The purpose of this study is to determine the role that family, friends, and community services play in how older persons feel about moving from or staying in their community. Data were collected from 985 older (age 50 to 70) recent in‐migrants to Idaho, using a mailed survey. Based on structural equation analysis, friendships were significant for both genders in determining whether they thought they would move from their present community. For men, community services were also significant. The family construct, whereas somewhat stronger for women, was not a significant predictor of migration in either men or women. Communities that wish to attract or retain older persons should consider programs and facilities that foster friendships and social contacts, and promote services for older persons and older men in particular.

Will the retiring baby boomers return to rural periphery?

“…Therefore, the migration by elderly is often presented as an attractive opportunity for localities, especially for those that possess structural factors influencing positively on migration. Junk and Young (1999) assert that communities that wish to attract or retain older persons should consider programs and facilities that foster friendships and social contacts and promote services for older persons, and older men in particular. For a peripheral area, return migrants are easier to attract because they have already some connection to that place.…”