Each year, thousands of older Canadians seasonally migrate to wanner climates to spend the coldest winter months. Generally in good health, these older Canadians face the possibility of becoming ill during their long stays outside the country. This paper investigates health incidents and health concerns of 2046 Canadians aged 65 and older who spent part of the 1985--6 winter in Florida. Respondents had completed a mailed questionnaire sent to subscribers to a weekly newspaper targeted at the Canadian audience.
Forty-six percent reported a health problem that bothered them now, and 14% said they had experienced a medical emergency requiring doctor or hospital care on this trip to Florida. Another 41% reported having had such a medical emergency on a previous trip. Although most respondents were habitual seasonal visitors to Florida, 5% said they had anticipated they would not return next year because of a health condition.
We investigate the deterrence effect of health status and concerns on seasonal migration. Implications for demand for health services of seasonal migrants, in both Canada and Florida, are drawn.
Each year, thousands of older Canadians seasonally migrate to warmer climates to spend the coldest winter months. Generally in good health, these older Canadians face the possibility of becoming ill during their long stay outside the country. This paper investigates health incidents and health concerns of 2 046 Canadians aged 65 and older who spent part of the 1985--86 winter in Florida. A comparison is made between those who do not plan to return because of health concerns, those planning to return to Florida next year and those who plan not to return but for reasons other than health. The paper examines differences in the general health of these three groups, the impact of specific medical conditions and medical emergencies, utilization of health services and attitudes toward and expectations of the health care systems in each country as these influence decisions about seasonal migration.