This study examines interprovincial migration patterns of elderly and nonelderly Canadians during 1956–61 and 1971–76. The focus of the paper is on the relationships between net migration patterns and changes in the concentration of elderly persons in provincial populations. The data show that elderly and nonelderly net migration patterns are very similar; that is, provinces that attract elderly also tend to attract nonelderly while provinces that lose elderly also tend to lose nonelderly. As a consequence, the impact of elderly migration on the aging of provincial populations is offset by nonelderly migration. Nevertheless, migration patterns do contribute in two ways to the relative concentration of elderly persons in provincial populations. First, elderly net in-migration after eliminating the counterbalancing effects of nonelderly in-migration does contribute modestly to population aging in 1971–76 though not in 1956–61. Second, nonelderly net out-migration contributes to the aging of a province's population in that the out-flow of younger persons increases the relative concentration of the elderly in the remaining population.

This article describes the development of the Perceived Well-Being Scale (PWB) which allows for separate assessment of psychological and physical well-being. The PWB is a short and convenient instrument applicable to the elderly. Several studies bearing on the psychometric properties and usefulness of the PWB are presented and the implications of the findings are discussed.

The experiences of elderly persons caring for elderly family members at home were examined by means of in-depth interviews with fourty-seven subjects in Montreal and seven in England. The analysis of the Montreal sample revealed that denial of fears and unwillingness to think about the future, as well as negative assessments of cared-for-person's health were more prevalent in women than in men. Women also mentioned more frequently that religious beliefs influenced their caregiving and seemed to feel more strongly the impact and burden caregiving placed on them. Experiences with old people in earlier life was associated with low burden scores; few visitors and a belief that cared-for-person was critical of them were associated with high burden scores. Suggestions for further research and recommendations for supportive services to caregivers are made.

A survey of 119 elderly persons with dementia was conducted in the Kingston, Ontario area. Among the findings regarding the burden of care for families of such persons are:

1. The proportion of key relatives who said providing the needed care to the subjects had been very difficult was significantly higher for those who have become residents of institutions than those still at home.

2. Objective measures of severity of the subjects' dementia were at particularly high levels for individuals for whom providing care had been difficult, while measures which reflect the physical burden of providing care were not.

3. Among the subjects for whom providing care had been very difficult, extreme behavioural manifestations (e.g., physical violence) were reported for 67 per cent, versus only 1 per cent of remaining subjects.

4. The value system of family providers of care also plays an important role in whether the afflicted person is admitted to an institution.