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  • Title: Using census data to study elderly migration: problems and possibilities.
    Author: Hugo G.
    Journal: Int Migr Rev; 1987; 21(4):1370-94. PubMed ID: 12280918.
    Abstract:
    Although the elderly are the fastest growing of all age groups in developed countries, their migration remains little studied. Elderly migration differs in several fundamental ways from that of other age groups, but many of the data collection and analysis procedures, as well as basic concepts used in censuses, have been developed with the working population in mind and are of limited utility in studying elderly migration. This article discusses some of the problems using census data to identify movers among the elderly population, and to analyze the characteristics of movers and the causes of migration. The author concludes that it is clear that what is needed with respect to census data on elderly migration is not necessarily new questions to be included. Instead, more appropriate decisions need to be made at the stages of deciding what variables to code and what categories are to be included. In addition, at the stage of determining tabulation programs there needs to be greater sensitivity to finer age breakdowns among elderly migrants and to the selection of cross-tabulation variables which are more relevant to issues and problems of the aged. Hugo suggests that an authoritative agency convene a working group to establish guidelines which address the following issues. 1) What are appropriate age breakdowns? 2) What are appropriate variables for detailed cross-tabulations? 3) Exactly what is an appropriate form for migration data to be prepared for multi-regional analysis? 4) What is the most appropriate way of formatting public use sample tapes to make analyses for assisting in the study of elderly migration? 5) How should the institutional population among the aged be dealt with? Another recommendation which arises out of the issues raised here is that, analysts should give a clear indication of what movers are actually missed by census data and which types of movers are included. Awareness of the limitations of particular data sources is of critical significance to meaningful interpretation of results if one is seeking a better understanding of the causes and consequences of important social phenomena.
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