Health and social antecedents of relocation in rural elderly persons

Sociodemographic, health, and psychobehavioral correlates of anticipated and actual relocation were examined in a geographically-defined rural elderly population (N = 3097). Intent to move was associated with higher levels of depressive symptoms. Of those responding, 4.8 percent moved between the baseline and one-year follow-up interviews. Disproportionally high numbers of women, persons over 84 years of age, those who lived alone, persons with lower incomes, and the less educated made noninstitutional moves. Actual noninstitutional relocation was associated with poorer physical functional status, poorer self-perceived health status, higher levels of depressive symptomatology and anxiety, and poorer life satisfaction at baseline. Death of spouse, marriage of offspring, and having someone move in with the respondent were associated with noninstitutional relocation, but retirement was not. The outcomes are generally consistent with Litwak and Longino's (1987) developmental model of relocation among elderly persons.