In a Longevity Society, Loss and Grief Are Emerging Risk Factors for Health Care Use: Findings From the Health and Retirement Survey Cohort Aged 50 to 70 Years

TitleIn a Longevity Society, Loss and Grief Are Emerging Risk Factors for Health Care Use: Findings From the Health and Retirement Survey Cohort Aged 50 to 70 Years
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2016
AuthorsMiles, T, Allegra, JC, Ezeamama, AE, Simpson, C, Gerst, K, Elkins, J
JournalAmerican Journal of Hospice and Palliative Medicine
Volume33
Issue1
Pagination41-46
KeywordsAdult children, Healthcare
Abstract

In a society of long lives, parent and child life can overlap by as much as 50 years. Most children now experience the death of their parents as adults. Many of the 2.5 million deaths each year in the United States are parents. Parental loss is a risk factor for subsequent illness. The Health and Retirement Survey is a representative cohort of persons aged 50 to 70 years. Using the 2010 cohort data, we estimate risk for use of health care after the death of a parent. Loss is a near universal experience in the cohort (87 ). A report of any loss increases risk of health care utilization by 20 to 30 . For a longevity society, preventing loss-related hospitalization is a measurable outcome for bereavement care.

Notes

Times Cited: 0 0

DOI10.1177/1049909114552125
Endnote Keywords

parental Longevity/parent death/health Care Utilization/hospitalization

Endnote ID

999999

Citation Key8359