11/10/97
FOR SENIORS DECIDING WHERE TO RETIRE: FRIENDS COME FIRST STUDY SHOWS
EAST LANSING, Mich. - The days of senior citizens simply adding up their pensions, grabbing their gold watches and flocking to Florida are over. A Michigan State University study shows that during retirement seniors tend to be found where friends abound.
Lawrence B. Schiamberg, acting director of the MSU Institute for Children, Youth, and Families, has found that friendships and the mutual support such relationships provide are top considerations when deciding to migrate or age in place at retirement.
"We have contributed to dispelling a myth that retirement location decisions are determined entirely by financial, health or family factors," Schiamberg said. "What we have shown is that maintaining relationships with friends is critical in the retirement decision-making process, a finding which flies in the face of ageist stereotypes of older adults as dependent for their life satisfaction almost completely on family relationships."
Although the perception that senior citizens' lives revolve around their grandchildren persists, Schiamberg said his study results suggest that such a view is not accurate. In fact, results suggest that one good friend is worth 20 grandchildren.
"Almost no research has addressed the multiple factors involved in moving or staying at retirement," Schiamberg said. "Most notions are based largely on stereotypes of seniors as less than vibrant adults without friends. Even as we age, friends remain a vital source of self-esteem and support."
Funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the study involved a random sample telephone survey of adults in Michigan between the ages of 50 and 80. The sample group was stratified to reflect U.S. Census characteristics of age distribution, socioeconomic status and rural/urban location.
Of the 573 survey participants, those 50 to 62 years of age were placed into a pre-retirement group and a post-retirement group was composed of senior citizens 63 to 80 years of age. Both groups indicated that their decision to age in place or migrate was influenced largely on whether moving or remaining in a current location provided a venue for maintaining or developing friendships.
The study also revealed other determining factors, including spouse and parental health care needs, financial considerations and safety and support services. Many of these factors provide insight into what senior citizens look for in the communities in which they chose to retire.
"This study's results also are valuable for community planning purposes," Schiamberg said. "Based on the responses of senior citizens we know more about what communities should invest in to keep or attract retirees."
Schiamberg reported the study results at the World Congress of Gerontology Meeting, "Aging Beyond 2000: One World One Future," held in Singapore.
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