Measurement of late-life residential relocation: why are rates for such a manifest event so varied?
OBJECTIVE
This methods article examines how characteristics of residential relocation (e.g., housing type) and research design decisions (e.g., level of analysis, geographic scale) influence reported rates for residential relocation among older adults.


METHODS
Examination of key studies on late-life residential relocation (1992-2005) revealed a wide range of residential mobility rates and factors that contributed to this variation. These rates were rescaled to a common 5-year time period to allow for a degree of comparison across methodological approaches.


RESULTS
We identified a wide range of rates for residential relocation in the literature (from 5% to more than 30% for a 5-year time period). Research design decisions accounted for much of the variation in these rates across studies; geographic scale was associated with the greatest amount of variation.


CONCLUSIONS
We translate the findings into concrete suggestions for investigators. The article provides the background needed to identify the research design best suited to the end purpose of studies on residential relocation (e.g., inform economic policy, understand the individual's aging experience, plan for long-term-care systems). These methodological issues are also relevant to other areas of investigation in which relocation influences the variables being studied (e.g., caregiving, urban planning, neighborhood development).
Sergeant
Julie F
JF
University of Kansas, 1545 Lilac Lane, Lawrence, KS 66044-3184, USA. juliesgt@ku.edu
Ekerdt
David J
DJ
Chapin
Rosemary
R
D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006798:Housing / Q000706:statistics & numerical data / Q000639:trends; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011157:Population Dynamics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data* / Q000639:trends*; D015995:Prevalence; D012111:Residence Characteristics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology