Why Older People Move

Abstract

The theory of elderly migration lags well behind the state of empirical knowledge. Further development is needed to integrate present findings and direct future research. The intent of this article is to stimulate theory development and to suggest ways in which such development might proceed. Two conceptual models are presented: One is a behavioral model which views the migration process as a staged set of interrelated decisions; the second is a typology of migration which includes involvement motivations, migrant characteristics, and migration outcomes. Also discussed are numerous suggestions for further research.