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This introductory chapter presents the aims, rationale, context, scope and layout of the book, with a brief synopsis of each author’s chapter. The chapter begins by reviewing current knowledge as a basis for arguing that there are two important and related reasons for a consolidated focus on the subject of return migration in later life: a need for more detailed research on return migration; and a general lack of attention to migration in later life. The chapter then introduces relevant themes that receive attention throughout the book, including: migration flows and patterns; identity and place attachment; life course perspectives; family ties and obligations; and health and resource planning. Further chapters in the book are briefly introduced in respect of descriptive groupings: propensities and determinants; motivations and strategies; priorities and evaluations; and personal and cultural consequences of return.
This chapter investigates perspectives on belonging and attachment to native place. Biographical interviews were carried out in the UK and Australia, in 2010, with older people who emigrated to Australia in the 1950s, 1960s, and 1970s. Interviews reveal that strong feelings often come to the fore as ageing immigrants grapple with their motivations to return to their homeland. The ‘magnet’ of country of origin as home exerts a powerful, sometimes overwhelming, and often innately resonating force. As such, homeland represents a place ageing immigrants truly belong to and, indeed, must return to while there is time. However, return migration decision-making is a complex process, and can involve weighing in the balance: personal aspirations and family obligations; ambiguous national identity and cultural affiliation; life course transitions and ancestral identity; nostalgia and birthright.
This concluding chapter summarises important themes, insights and messages drawn from the book as a whole, and highlights the key factors that appear to affect return migration decision-making, planning and realisation. The chapter considers policy and research implications arising from the book that are relevant to organizations such as public service providers, government departments, agencies working with and for older people, policy developers, research bodies, and commercial organizations with interest and experience in travel and tourism. The chapter reflects on the prospective merits and efficacy of relocation-type services that could assist older returnees become familiar with sources of advice and support in regard to: housing, pensions and social security provision; access to local health and social care systems; and matters related to utilities, banking and insurance. The chapter also addresses indicators for future research, not least in regard to multi-disciplinary work as well as studies that intersect social gerontology, migration and social geography.
The main objective of this edited volume is to explore the motivations, decision making processes, and consequences, when older people consider or accomplish return migration to their place of origin; and also to raise the public policy profile of this increasingly important subject. The book examines in detail a range of themes affecting return migrations, including: family ties, obligations and their emotive strengths; comparative quality, and cost, of health and welfare provision in host and home countries; older age transitions and cultural affinity with homeland; and psychological adjustment, belonging and attachment to place.
This chapter discusses three types of housing provision that represent different stages in the evolution of policy on housing the general population and those defined as ‘vulnerable’ — high-rise housing, sheltered housing, and care housing for people with dementia. It highlights developments and issues for these three types of housing and care environments and examines whether and how age-segregated environments affect older people’s interactions within and beyond their immediate accommodation. In addition, the three studies provide differing views of how accommodation and support may be offered in the future and raise questions regarding the interface between people and places and what it tells about technological and social management systems.
This chapter discusses the domestic kitchen in the lives of older people whose ages range across four decades and who were born between 1919 and 1948. They were living in various types of housing from detached to terraced; from maisonette to flat; from mainstream to supportive. By looking at past experiences of the kitchen across the life course gendered and generational differences are seen that contribute to kitchen living in the 21st century. Examining use of the most recent kitchen shows how biopsychosocial factors come together with design and on-going adaptation being both enabling and disabling. The kitchen is seen as a mainstay of the home environment and in later life central to maintaining personal autonomy
This chapter discusses the design of the NDA Programme, examining six different NDA projects. These projects range from virtual images to step and stair negotiations, to clothing design and manufacture. The chapter begins with a discussion of the aspects of ageing that are critical to the design process, such as inclusion, staying active, feeling connected and empowerment. It then considers designer competencies and interactions with user groups. It examines two specific projects, ‘Design for Ageing Well’ and ‘Transitions in Kitchen Living’. The chapter ends with a discussion of synergy across the six projects, despite the different research emphases and disciplinary contributors.
