Effects of residential relocation on mortality and morbidity among elderly people

Abstract

This study analyses the effects of residential relocation among elderly people, in terms of mortality and health service consumption. The analyses are based on a register covering 22,579 persons. Analyses at different levels are carried out: a logistic regression analysis, a longitudinal analysis on a yearly basis and a longitudinal analysis of consumption in relation to the date of the move. The overall conclusion of the study is that residential relocation among elderly people does not have any significant effect on mortality or consumption of health services. This conclusion emerges regardless of the choice of indicator and method of analysis. However, the study indicates adverse effects in one subgroup: the death rate among those who were evacuated or who moved permanently due to urban renewal was higher than among non-movers and among those who moved for other reasons.