Likelihood that expectations of informal care will be met at onset of caregiving need: a retrospective study of older adults in the USA.

TitleLikelihood that expectations of informal care will be met at onset of caregiving need: a retrospective study of older adults in the USA.
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2017
AuthorsAbrahamson, K, Hass, Z, Sands, L
JournalBMJ Open
Volume7
Issue12
Paginatione017791
ISSN Number2044-6055
KeywordsCaregiving, Community-dwelling, Marriage, Social Support
Abstract

BACKGROUND: Ageing adults are likely to expect informal caregiving assistance from a friend or family member, reflecting the reality that most long-term care (LTC) is provided by family and friends. The purpose of the study was to determine the likelihood that expectations of care will be unmet at the onset of functional disability, and the factors that impact that likelihood.

METHODS: Community-dwelling respondents from biannual repeated assessments (2006-2010) of the Health and Retirement Study over age 65 who expressed a caregiving expectation prior to need were included in the final analytical sample (n=1352). Logistic regression and change models were specified to address impact of variables on unmet expectations.

RESULTS: Expectations of care were unmet for almost one-third (32%) of the sample, among whom 30% were not receiving needed care. Unmet expectations were associated with being unmarried, older and having a higher number of ADL deficits. Change over time in the number of predictor variables influenced the likelihood of unmet expectations.

CONCLUSIONS: Unplanned dependence on formal care systems and/or having unmet care needs places elders at risk of negative outcomes. Knowledge of factors that impact whether expected care is eventually received provides robust evidence for counselling individuals regarding the need to plan for additional LTC services.

DOI10.1136/bmjopen-2017-017791
User Guide Notes

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29259058?dopt=Abstract

Alternate JournalBMJ Open
Citation Key9453
PubMed ID29259058
PubMed Central IDPMC5778317
Grant ListU01 AG009740 / AG / NIA NIH HHS / United States