Geographies of the ageing–migration nexus: An introduction

Abstract

This special section builds on previous scholarship on geographies of ageing, and on relational and transnational approaches to age and migration, to assert the significance of the ageing-migration nexus in human geography. Our primary goal is to examine the intricate relationships between ageing, migration, space and place. By bringing empirical research on ageing and migration into dialogue with existing conceptual work within Geography, we also aim to critically contribute to current debates in both areas. The contributors explore a wide range of migration processes and experiences through an intersectional lens, and demonstrate the importance of a diverse set of epistemological and methodological approaches to explore the spatialities of the ageing-migration nexus. Key dimensions examined include, but are not limited to, the spaces and places of ageing and migration, the multi-scalar nature of the geographies of the ageing-migration nexus, their (im)mobilities, fluid boundaries, and emotional geographies.ageing, geography, intersectionality, migration, place, spaceThe intersections between ageing and migration have profound geographic resonance. In this special section, we seek to illuminate emplaced meanings of age and ageing, and related (im)mobilities, produced over space and time, demonstrating that place is more than a mere "container" of older people (Andrews et al., 2007;Pain et al., 2000). Existing research allows us to map out these crossings in three substantive areas of concern, relevant for both academic work and policymaking: the increasing diversity of ageing migrants in all parts of the globe, both internally and across borders, and related social, cultural, economic, health and welfare-specific challenges; the multiplicity of ageing landscapes and the nuanced nature of migrants' home-unmaking practices, social and intimate relationships in later life, ageing cultures and ageing care; and the interstitial dimensions and individual subjectivities that mould prescribed experiences of age and ageing, and their varied entitlements across the world.We argue that it is by looking at the spaces and places of our everyday lives, both relationally and transnationally, that the ageing experience as an ongoing, (im)mobile, social project can be further understood. Pertinent questions that this special section addresses include the following. What are the implications of (trans)national migration for ageing as both an embodied and emplaced experience? How does geographical mobility impact migrants' wellbeing in later life? Do older migrants' ideas about age and ageing shift across space and time? How is ageing care articulated across borders and what are the consequent challenges for migrants and non-migrants? In what ways are later-life identities and home-making experiences shaped at different social and spatial scales? How is privilege, accumulated over the life course, enacted in new geographical contexts? And, how are migrants' social and intimate relationships shaped by their (im)mobilities and empla...

Ageing strategically: On migration, care, and diversity in later life

“…To see a doctor sometimes you have to go at eight in the morning and you leave at midnight, one o'clock, and it isn't for free. Here it's just taxa moderadora [small fee paid at the health centre or hospital], but because I'm a pensioner I don't pay.(Cesária LB early 60s, Cape Verde, 2002)As with Jorge's earlier narrative, the two previous passages add interesting nuances to Ley and Kobayashi's () concept of strategic switching, drawing attention to the various geographies and types of mobilities—north–south, north–north, and south–north—that such concept may encompass (see Sampaio, King, & Walsh, ). The accounts above also resonate with other scholarly work showing how seniors shift between “affective” and “instrumental” ideas of home according to their needs for care in the host country, and family and emotional support available in the home country (Hunter, ).…”

Urban green spaces for the social interaction, health and well-being of older people— An integrated view of urban ecosystem services and socio-environmental justice

“…Yet to date, only a small but growing number of scholars has followed the call for more research on diversity in later life, resulting in promising conceptual and empirical work (e.g. Calasanti, Slevin, & King, 2006;Cela & Bettin, 2018;Denninger & Schütze, 2017;Oliver, Blythe, & Roe, 2018;Sampaio, King, & Walsh, 2018). Nevertheless, a large share of current studies is still dedicated to the ageing experience and living situation of one 'special' group, such as e.g.…”

Analysing migrants' ageing in place as embodied practices of embedding through time: ‘Kilburn is not Kilburn any more’

“…Meanwhile, the literature on migrant attachments and belonging in local places usually focuses on the experiences of recently arrived migrants (Trąbka, 2019). Nonetheless, despite developing research on migrant belonging in place, the ways in which migrants connect and identify with particular places is still not well understood (Phillips & Robinson, 2015), especially in contexts of ageing (Sampaio, King, & Walsh, 2018). Moreover, there have been calls for more research on the diversity of ageing migrants and how ethnicity intersects with experiences of growing older in particular places (Buffel, 2017; Oliver et al, 2018).…”