Elderly Migration: The Change of Life from Rural to Urban

Abstract

In the 21st century, almost every country around the world has been becoming an aging society and urbanization. This paper aimed to examine the changes of life of the elderly who migrate from rural to urban areas. The study employed qualitative approach, particularly phenomenological approach together with in-depth interview to collect the primary data from 16 elderly migrants who aged over 60 years old at the time of their movement. Khon Kaen city was selected as a research area since the city has been considered as one of the fastest-growth cities in Thailand, having sufficient facilities for the age-old living. Data was collected during January to May 2017. Data analysis was conducted based on the content analysis method. The study found that the changes of life of the elderly migrants from the rural to urban provided the elderly migrants with opportunities and challenges, including 1) the closeness and happiness with the children 2) the feeling of confident that was abandoned during the end of life 3) the better access to health services and economic opportunities, 4) the adaptive relationship with other members in a household and a community. However, the migration will cause changes in lifestyle and quality of life of the elderly. Moreover, it is necessary to realize that migration should bring happiness, shape better quality of living, and encourage the elderly with active living.