A Move Can Be Positive

The Center for Retirement Research at Boston College examined the moving decisions of older Americans by studying both movers and the non-movers, or those who chose the familiar comforts of a home and neighborhood over the uncertain potential of a new location or lifestyle in their later years.

The study measured psychological well-being composed of positive feelings (happiness and enjoyment of life) and negative feelings (loneliness, depression and sadness). It will come as no surprise to you, as senior living professionals, that those who moved from the family home experienced a greater increase in psychological well-being than those who chose to age in place.

But there’s more. Among the older Americans who chose to move, the study identified 2 general types or sub-categories:

  • The Planners — who are able to affirmatively plan a move
  • The Reactors — who are forced to relocate based on a change in their circumstances (e.g., death of a spouse, divorce, hospitalization or skilled nursing admission, loss of a job, etc.)

Prior to the study, the research team hypothesized that The Planners would have greater, more positive increases in well-being, as opposed to The Reactors, who were moving because of a change in circumstance. The actual results were interesting, especially when compared to those not moving at all.

It was true that planners experienced a greater positive change in well-being than reactors. However, the movers — both The Planners and The Reactors — had more positive changes in well-being than the non-movers. The results suggest that moving helps improve psychological well-being, even for those who experienced a life-altering circumstance. The findings seem to contradict the common sociological notion of aging in place — that older adults maximize their psychological well-being when they remain in their homes.

Now, you may be saying to yourself — We know all this. As senior living professionals, we experience it firsthand every day. What’s your point? Simply put, now there’s written proof that increased psychological well-being is a major benefit offered by community living. Real evidence is good — and offers great support for your marketing efforts!

You can read all the findings in a September 2009 brief posted by the research team on the Center for Retirement Research web site.

Resource: Older Americans on the Go: Financial and Psychological Effects of Moving, by Esteban Calvo, Kelly Haverstick and Natalia A. Zhivan. September 2009, Number 9-19.

The Center for Retirement Research at Boston College examined the moving decisions of older Americans by studying both movers and the non-movers, or those who chose the familiar comforts of a home and neighborhood over the uncertain potential of a new location or lifestyle in their later years.

The study measured psychological well-being composed of positive feelings (happiness and enjoyment of life) and negative feelings (loneliness, depression and sadness). It will come as no surprise to you, as senior living professionals, that those who moved from the family home experienced a greater increase in psychological well-being than those who chose to age in place.

But there’s more. Among the older Americans who chose to move, the study identified 2 general types or sub-categories:

  • The Planners — who are able to affirmatively plan a move
  • The Reactors — who are forced to relocate based on a change in their circumstances (e.g., death of a spouse, divorce, hospitalization or skilled nursing admission, loss of a job, etc.)

Prior to the study, the research team hypothesized that The Planners would have greater, more positive increases in well-being, as opposed to The Reactors, who were moving because of a change in circumstance. The actual results were interesting, especially when compared to those not moving at all.

It was true that planners experienced a greater positive change in well-being than reactors. However, the movers — both The Planners and The Reactors — had more positive changes in well-being than the non-movers. The results suggest that moving helps improve psychological well-being, even for those who experienced a life-altering circumstance. The findings seem to contradict the common sociological notion of aging in place — that older adults maximize their psychological well-being when they remain in their homes.

Now, you may be saying to yourself — We know all this. As senior living professionals, we experience it firsthand every day. What’s your point? Simply put, now there’s written proof that increased psychological well-being is a major benefit offered by community living. Real evidence is good — and offers great support for your marketing efforts!

You can read all the findings in a September 2009 brief posted by the research team on the Center for Retirement Research web site.

Resource: Older Americans on the Go: Financial and Psychological Effects of Moving, by Esteban Calvo,
Kelly Haverstick and Natalia A. Zhivan. September 2009, Number 9-19.