Expectancies and Ownership of Long-Term Care Insurance Policies Among Older Married Couples

TitleExpectancies and Ownership of Long-Term Care Insurance Policies Among Older Married Couples
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2011
AuthorsCaro, FG, Porell, F, Kwan, N
JournalJournal of Applied Gerontology
Volume30
Issue5
Pagination562-586
KeywordsAdult children, Demographics, Expectations, Healthcare, Insurance
Abstract

The study was concerned with perceived risk of need for long-term care (LTC) as a factor in decisions among older married couples to purchase or retain LTC insurance policies. The study examined the relationship between expectancies of moving to a nursing home and ownership of private LTC insurance policies among married couples in which both partners were at least aged 65. Data from the 2002 and 2004 Health and Retirement Study were analyzed. Higher subjective probabilities of moving to a nursing home within the next 5 years among both primary respondents and spouses were positively associated with the primary respondent's possession of private LTC insurance. The findings add to evidence that among married older people decisions to purchase and retain LTC insurance policies are made jointly. For public education efforts to encourage planning to address LTC financing, the results underscore the importance of attention to the joint concerns of married couples. PUBLICATION ABSTRACT

DOI10.1177/0733464810376374
Endnote Keywords

Insurance policies/Insurance policies/Older people/Couples/Nursing homes/Life expectancy

Endnote ID

62654

Citation Key7618