PPA 419 – Aging Services Administration

Lecture 7c – A Life-Course Perspective on Housing

Expectations and Shifts in Middle Age

Source:

Julie T. Robison and Phyllis Moen. 2000. “A Life-Course Perspective on Housing Expectations and Shifts in Middle Age.” Research on Aging 22: 499-532.

Introduction

The study applies a life-course approach and retirement migration strategy to develop a model of future housing expectations and actual moves for a random sample of men and women in late midlife.

Introduction

Given the rapid expansion of the older population in the United States and the growing prevalence of chronic diseases, housing and related services for older people are increasingly on the policy agenda.

Introduction

Several different types of housing options have become available on a continuum from independence to institutionalization. Assisted living facilities Long-term home health care Continuing care retirement communities Shared housing with two or more nonrelatives ECHO cottages Other temporary apartment arrangements

Introduction

The study investigates the expectations of a sample of late-midlife workers and retirees (ages 50-72) regarding eight particular future housing arrangements, including aging in place.

Longitudinal data are then examined to determine the odds of actually moving within the subsequent two-year period.

The study draws on the life-course perspective and retirement migration theory to develop a model of postretirement housing plans, expectations, and reality

Life-course perspective

The life-course perspective underlines the importance of continuity and change during the life span, emphasizing cumulative patterns and role trajectories.

Earlier experiences shape later life transitions, which shape the subsequent life course.

Life-course perspective

The life-course perspective also emphasizes human agency and subjective appraisals and expectations: strategies of adaptive response.

The context also influences housing expectations and subsequent moves: prior residential mobility, community and family involvements, personal and family health, current economic, social, and health situations.

Retirement migration

Basic demographic theory regarding migration focuses on economic pushes and pulls that influence decisions to move or stay in a particular housing situation. Quality of life Family circumstances Access to amenities Economic concerns (cost of living, retirement

status).

Research questions

Are there distinct patterns of expectations for men and women?

What past experiences and current situations promote expectations regarding aging in place as a viable option?

Are particular housing arrangements perceived as more or less likely based on midlifer’s location in the social structure and their own-life course biographies?

Expectations

Vulnerable (older, retired, women, metropolitan, lower socioeconomic status, non-white) respondents will have higher expectations of future housing arrangements that provide higher levels of support.

Lower social integration will increase likelihood of a move to more supportive environments.

Biographic patterns of mobility will anticipate more moves in the future as will retirement.

Data and Methods

Sample Cornell Retirement and Well-Being study (762

randomly selected retirees and active workers, 50-72, from six large organizations in upstate New York.

67% response, 702 in first wave, 678 in second wave.

Data and Methods

Dependent Variables Eight dependent variables ranging on a probability of use

scale from 0 to 100%. Remain in home Remain in home with modification Reverse mortgage Retirement community Long-term care insurance Move in with family member Shared housing ECHO housing

One dependent variable measuring actual moves in a two-year period.

Data and methods

Independent Variables Demographic

Gender Metropolitan vs. nonmetropolitan Education Marital Status Race/ethnicity Retirement status

Data and methods

Independent variables (contd.) Housing tenure (rent, own with mortgage, own

outright Social integration

Volunteering or caregiving Amount of contact with neighbors and relatives Proximity to grandchildren Religious involvement

Data and methods

Independent variables (contd.) Health measures

Objective and subjective health Psychological health Spouse’s health Respondent’s and spouse’s health histories

Change measures between wave 1 and wave 2 for actual moves

Marital status Work status Illness or hospitalization.

Data and Methods

Separate ordered logit and logistic regressions for men and women

Results

Dependent variables Never move – 57% Stay in home with modification – 49% Purchase long-term care insurance – 34% Live in a retirement community – 23% Obtain a reverse mortgage – 18% Move in with family member – 12% Share household with unrelated people – 9% Live in ECHO cottage – 7%

Summary results

Late midlife workers and retirees expect to age in place.

Expectations to live in highly supportive environments are uniformly low.

Summary results

Older, nonmetropolitan respondents with less education and more years in their homes express the strongest expectations that they will age in place.

Those people who rent their homes, have weaker ties to their communities, and have more symptoms of depression tend to foresee a move in the future.

Summary results

Physical health of the respondents and their spouses do not predict future housing expectations.

Prior expectations about aging in place, residential history, and life-course changes in marriage and retirement predict actual moves within the next two years, with differing patterns for men and women.

Policy implications

A large proportion of Americans expect to age in place

But, many do expect to make alternative housing arrangements.

This implies maintaining a range of options. Women and more educated workers more likely to

purchase LTC insurance. Three most supportive options least anticipated. Lack of relationship to health presages potential

problems in future.