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Results for “Living Arrangements”

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At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed1997

Living arrangements, changes in living arrangements, and survival among community dwelling older adults.

OBJECTIVES: This study examines whether living arrangements and changes in living arrangements are associated with survival among older community-dwelling adults, and whether differences in health status account for observed differences in survival. METHODS: The sample consisted of 5085 persons aged 70 years or older who had participated in the Longitudinal Study of Aging in 1984 and 1986. Proportional hazards models were used to examine associations of survival time through 1990 with living arrangements in 1984 and with changes in living arrangements from 1984 to 1986. RESULTS: Women who lived with someone other than a spouse at baseline or who changed from living with a spouse to living with someone other than a spouse were at greater risk of dying than women in other living arrangements, independent of health status or functioning. Among men, survival time was not generally associated with baseline living arrangements. CONCLUSIONS: Older adults who live alone or who change from living with someone to living alone do not have an increased mortality risk. However, living with or changing to living with someone other than a spouse may be associated with increased mortality risk.

Activities of Daily Living↗

PubMed1988

Health and living arrangements among older women: does living alone increase the risk of illness?

This study compares the physical, mental, and functional health of aged women living alone to those living with a husband and to those living with others, and considers whether living arrangements lead to health problems or if health problems influence the choice of living arrangements. Data were collected in 1984 during the first wave of a prospective study of 807 women 65 years or older living in an area consisting of 20 contiguous census tracts in Baltimore, MD. Multivariate analyses demonstrate no particular disadvantage associated with living alone for this group of elderly women. After controlling for age and socioeconomic status, analyses indicate that it is those living with persons other than their husbands who are most impaired. In addition, poor health does not appear to result from living arrangement; rather, those who are sickest choose to live with others because of health problems.

Activities of Daily Living↗

PubMed2000

Living arrangements affect dietary quality for U.S. adults aged 50 years and older: NHANES III 1988-1994.

The number and proportion of older U.S. adults who live alone have increased dramatically in the past three decades, and there is concern that these individuals may have particularly poor dietary quality. We examined the association of four living arrangements (living with a spouse only, with a spouse plus someone else, with someone other than a spouse or living alone) with dietary quality (the number of low nutrients out of a possible 15, with low defined as <67% of the recommended dietary allowance) among 6525 U.S. adults aged 50-64 y and those >/=65 y in the third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES III 1988-1994). Among non-Hispanic Caucasian adults, those who lived with a spouse only had better dietary quality, with significant differences ranging from 0.8 to 1.5 fewer low nutrients compared with those with other living arrangements. Effects of living arrangements on dietary quality were also seen among non-Hispanic African-Americans, Mexican-Americans, and those of "other" races, but differences were significant only for African-American men aged >65 y living with a spouse plus others (1.6 additional low nutrients compared with those living with a spouse only). Energy intake was strongly associated with dietary quality, but did not account for the associations between living arrangements and dietary quality. Although middle-aged and older adults with living arrangements other than living with a spouse only (including those living alone) tended to have poorer dietary quality, the effects varied substantially across age, gender and ethnic categories.

Aged↗

PubMed1992

Living arrangements and survival among middle-aged and older adults in the NHANES I epidemiologic follow-up study.

BACKGROUND: There is concern about but little information on how living alone affects the health and survival of older adults. METHODS: We examined the association between living arrangements (living alone, with a spouse, or with someone other than a spouse) and survival among 7651 adults, aged 45 to 74 years in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES I) (1971-1975) and traced at the NHANES I Follow-up Study (1982-1984), to see whether certain sociodemographic factors (race, education, income, and employment), health behaviors (alcohol, smoking, physical activity, and obesity), or chronic medical conditions were influential in the association. RESULTS: We found a stronger association of living arrangements with survival for men than for women, and for middle-aged men than for older men. For men, those living alone and those living with someone other than a spouse were equally disadvantaged in terms of survival. Income, race, employment, and physical activity influenced the association of living arrangements and survival, but their impact varied by age, gender, and living arrangement. CONCLUSION: Living arrangements had a weak impact on survival among men, but had no effect among women.

Age Factors↗

PubMed1998

Living arrangement transitions among America's older adults.

This analysis describes the relationship between age and transitions from four living arrangements: living alone, living with spouse only, living with a child, and living with a spouse and child. Data from the National Survey of Families and Households, collected in 1987-88 and 1992-93, are used to calculate destination-specific hazard rates by age and then construct multiple-decrement life tables. Living alone or with a spouse are the most stable living arrangements during the early stages of later life, whereas for the oldest-old, living with a child is the most stable living arrangement. The young-old tend to exit living arrangements through changes in coresidence, whereas transitions among the oldest-old are primarily due to institutionalization and death.

Activities of Daily Living↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Health and utilization of health services in the elderly, according to the level of living arrangements].

OBJECTIVE: To assess the association between living arrangements (living alone, with company or in a nursing home) and the health status and the use of health and social services among the population over seventy with the purpose to help establishing health policies for the elderly. METHODS: A cross sectional survey was performed, interviewing a random sample of 110 institutionalised and 290 community elderly of Castelldefels. Subjects and carers answered the following questionnaires: health status self-perception (SF-36), level of autonomy (test de Barthel), anxiety and depression levels (HAD), cognitive deficit (Short Portable Mental Status Questionnaire), availability and use of housing facilities an social and health resources. RESULTS: 77.2% of the institutionalised, and 92% of those coming from the community answered the questionnaire. 60 lived alone, 208 accompanied and 85 in nursing homes. The 67% were women and those living alone (77 +/- 4.8 years), or with company (78.3 +/- 6.4 years) where younger than the institutionalised ones (83.1 +/- 6.9 years) (p < 0.01). Housing facilities was similar in the three groups, although those living in the community had a higher level of use. The proportion of handicapped grew progressively from those living alone, with company or in institutions (13.3%; 19.6%. 86.7%; p < 0.01), as well as the cognitive deficit (7.8%; 15.3%; 20.8%, p < 0.01). Every group had similar health status, only those living with the family experienced higher scores in the emotional role or social function (SF-36). Non institutionalised population received support from relatives, friends and primary care services. Those institutionalised received health care in a more intensive and selective way, and benefited from formal cares. CONCLUSIONS: Nursing homes host the population with highest level of cognitive deficit and dependence. The need of increasing formal care in the community, in special to people living alone, and of reorienting health services towards elderly care has been identified.

Aged↗

PubMed1988

Living arrangements and women's health.

The recent changes in the traditional patterns of living arrangements in the U.S.A. raise interest in their consequences for the well being of the individuals involved. In this paper the physical health of women in different living arrangements was studied. It was suggested that living arrangements differ in the degree of adult support and the nurturant responsibilities that often accompany women's social support. Since previous research seems to indicate that social support promotes health and nurturant obligations constrains it, it was predicted that women whose living arrangements offer steady adult support with slight nurturant responsibilities will be healthier than women whose living arrangements offer both, and that women whose living arrangements involve nurturant responsibilities without adult support will be the least healthy. It was also suggested that the more legitimate and socially acceptable are one's living arrangements, the fewer the social costs incurred. Health was measured by three health status and three illness behaviour indices. Data were taken from the NHIS of 1979, and a multiple regression analyses were conducted. When a health-profiles approach was taken, the health of women in different living arrangements ranked according to the hypotheses: women who live with their parents are the healthiest, followed by those in children/relatives' households; women head of families are the least healthy, just preceded by those living alone; women who live with their husbands or with unrelated persons are intermediate, and do not differ from each other.

Adult↗

PubMed1994

Differences in self-reported morbidity by marital status and by living arrangement.

It has frequently been shown that the never married, divorced and widowed have higher rates of self-reported morbidity than married people. The purpose of this study was to assess to what extent morbidity differences by marital status can be explained by differences in living arrangement (i.e. living with a partner or not). If living arrangement plays a major role, one expects to find that: 1. people who live with a partner have lower morbidity rates than those who live alone; 2. morbidity differences by marital status decrease substantially after controlling for living arrangement. Data from the GLOBE study, a large prospective cohort in the Netherlands, on 18,973 people from Eindhoven and its surroundings, aged 15-74, were used to test the hypotheses. The measures for morbidity were perceived general health, subjective health complaints, chronic conditions and work disability. Multiple logistic regression models were used to calculate odds ratios for morbidity by living arrangement (question 1) and for morbidity by marital status, firstly without control and subsequently with control for living arrangement (question 2). In all models we controlled for other sociodemographic variables (age, sex, educational level, degree of urbanization, religion and country of birth). Our analyses showed that people who live with a partner have lower morbidity rates than those who live alone. They further showed that the excess risks of the never married, widowed and divorced decreased by 40-70% for all health measures (except subjective health complaints) after controlling for living arrangement.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adolescent↗

PubMed1991

A longitudinal analysis of household and nonhousehold living arrangements in later life.

Most explanatory models of living arrangements in later life link the decision process surrounding choice of living arrangement to personal resources such as income and health. Applications of these models, however, are based for the most part on cross-sectional rather than longitudinal data. In this paper we examine living arrangements in later life among the nonmarried population aged 55 and over, using data from the Survey of Income and Program Participation. We observe individuals as they change living arrangements, die, or become institutionalized. Our results suggest that economic resources dominate the decision-making process in transitions across different household arrangements, whereas health is most important in explaining institutionalization.

Age Factors↗

PubMed2002

Transitions in living arrangements among elders in Japan: does health make a difference?

OBJECTIVE: This research evaluates the hypothesis that poor health triggers a change in living arrangements among elderly adults in Japan. METHODS: Data came from a national probability sample of 2,200 Japanese people aged 60 or older. Four surveys of this sample were conducted over a period of 9 years, from 1987 to 1996. Multinomial logit regression analyses were used to analyze the effects of demographic characteristics, socioeconomic status, and health on changes in living arrangements. RESULTS: Living arrangements among the Japanese elderly people remained quite stable over the 9-year period. Physical and mental health conditions were found to exert both direct and indirect effects on transitions in living arrangements. DISCUSSION: Poor health does trigger changes in living arrangement. Both physical (i.e., chronic conditions and functional status) and mental (i.e., depressed affect) health conditions play a role in such transitions. Because health conditions are correlated with competing risks of mortality, attrition, and proxy interview, health effects on changes in living arrangement are likely underestimated.

Aged↗

PubMed2006

Living arrangements and mental health in Finland.

BACKGROUND: Non-married persons are known to have poor mental health compared with married persons. Health differences between marital status groups may largely arise from corresponding differences in interpersonal social bonds. However, official marital status mirrors the social reality of persons to a decreasing extent, and living arrangements may be a better measure of social bonds. Little is known about mental health in different living arrangement groups. This study aims to establish the extent and determinants of mental health differences by living arrangement in terms of psychological distress (GHQ) and DSM-IV psychiatric disorders (CIDI). METHODS: Data were used from the nationally representative cross sectional health 2000 survey, conducted in 2000-1 in Finland. Altogether 4685 participants (80%) aged 30-64 years were included in these analyses; comprehensive information was available on measures of mental health and living arrangements. Living arrangements were measured as follows: married, cohabiting, living with other(s) than a partner, and living alone. RESULTS: Compared with the married, persons living alone and those living with other(s) than a partner were approximately twice as likely to have anxiety or depressive disorders. Cohabiters did not differ from the married. In men, psychological distress was similarly associated with living arrangements. Unemployment, lack of social support, and alcohol consumption attenuated the excess psychological distress and psychiatric morbidity of persons living alone and of those living with other(s) than a partner by about 10%-50% each. CONCLUSIONS: Living arrangements are strongly associated with mental health, particularly among men. Information on living arrangements, social support, unemployment, and alcohol use may facilitate early stage recognition of poor mental health in primary health care.

Adult↗

PubMed1990

Living arrangements of young adults living independently: evidence from the Luxembourg Income Study.

A cross-country comparison of the impact of socioeconomic factors on household formation by young adults in the 15-24 age group is presented. "Of those young people living independently (not in their parental homes), how do incomes from various sources affect their decision whether to live alone or with others? The sample did not include all persons in the 15-24 age group, only those living independently. A logit analysis of the living alone question was conducted using data from five countries (Canada, the Federal Republic of Germany, the United Kingdom, Australia, and the United States) included in the LIS [Luxembourg Income Study] data base to determine whether differences across countries exist."

Americas↗

PubMed1991

Disability, residential mobility, and changes in living arrangements.

The extent of mobility and changes in living arrangements associated with disability were studied using data from the 1984-86 Longitudinal Study of Aging. It was hypothesized that persons with significant limitations in their ability to perform normal daily activities (ADLs and IADLs) in 1984 would be more likely to move, more likely to be living with others in 1986, and more likely to have entered an institution between 1984 and 1986 than those without limitations. When only those variables that were measured in 1984 were used as predictors, this turned out to be true for institutionalization and for living with others in 1986. However, among those remaining in households, residential mobility showed little relationship to disability when other variables were controlled. When the change in disability between 1984 and 1986 was added to the prediction equation, there were strong relationships between changes in disability and both residential mobility and adjustment in living arrangement, suggesting that people respond quickly to significant changes in disability. However, because we cannot be sure that the changes in disability preceded the mobility or changes in living arrangements, we cannot claim to have established a causal link between these events.

Activities of Daily Living↗

PubMed1981

Income and living arrangements among poor aged singles.

It is generally agreed that income plays an important part in determining the living arrangements of unmarried old persons. Numerous studies of later life have concluded that large numbers of old persons live with their friends, adult children, and other relatives simply because they cannot afford to maintain separate homes of their own. The literature contains few references, however, to the effect of income change on the living arrangements of persons after they have become old and poor. This article focuses on the correlates of living arrangements among unmarried older welfare recipients in 1973, and then examines the effect of income change on living arrangements in 1974. Logit analysis identifies several patterns of household change associated with income increase and decrease but, overall, the capacity to care for oneself was the best predictor of living arrangement in 1974.

Adaptation, Psychological↗

PubMed2001

Support from children, living arrangements, self-rated health and depressive symptoms of older people in Spain.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the association between emotional and instrumental support from children and living arrangements with the physical and mental health of older people in Spain. METHODS: A face-to-face home interview was carried out with 1284 community-dwelling people over 65 (response rate = 83%) randomly sampled according to an age- and sex-stratified sampling scheme in 1993 at Leganés (Spain). Close to 93% of the participants had children and 45% of them coresided with them. Depressive symptoms were assessed by the CES-D (Center for Epidemiologic study depression scale) and self-rated health (SRH) by a single-item question. Emotional support was measured with a six-item scale on affection and reciprocity. Instrumental support was assessed by help received from children in 17 activities of daily living. Four living arrangements were considered: Living with spouse only, living with a spouse and children, widower living alone, and widower living with children. RESULTS: Multivariate analysis controlling for age, gender, education and functional status showed that low emotional support and reception of instrumental aid were significantly associated with poor SRH. Being a widower and sharing living arrangements with children was associated with good SRH. Living arrangements modify some of the associations of support of children with SRH. Depressive symptoms were associated with low emotional support, reception of instrumental help and being a widower who did not share living arrangements with children. For widowers who do not cohabit with children, reception of instrumental aid is associated with low depressive symptomatology. DISCUSSION: Emotional support from children seems to play an important role in maintaining the physical and mental health of elderly people in Spain. Instrumental support is widely available. Coresidence with children is very common and it is associated with good self-perceived health and low prevalence of depressive symptoms in a culture where family interdependence is highly valued. Families should be protected and encouraged to continue care-giving through a variety of community services and respite care, adapted to their needs and preferences. Research should be undertaken to find more efficient ways to help family caregivers in the Mediterranean context.

Activities of Daily Living↗

PubMed1999

At risk on the cusp of old age: living arrangements and functional status among black, white and Hispanic adults.

OBJECTIVES: We examine the relationship between living arrangements and multiple measures of physical, cognitive, and emotional functioning in late midlife. METHODS: Using cross-sectional data from the Health and Retirement Study, we first assess the bivariate relationship between living arrangements and functioning; we then take into account demographic characteristics and measures of household resources and demands. RESULTS: We find evidence of differential functioning among individuals in various living arrangements. Married couples living alone or with children show the highest levels of functioning, whereas single adults living in complex households show the lowest levels. Functional deficits for those in complex households are reduced but not eliminated when we take demographic characteristics and household resources and demands into account. We find few differences by gender and race/ethnicity in the relationship between living arrangements and functioning. DISCUSSION: We show a pattern of poorer functioning among those in arguably the most demanding and least supportive household environments. This points to a vulnerable and risk-filled transition from middle to old age for these persons. Because Blacks and Hispanics show lower levels of functioning than Whites and are more likely to live in complex households, they may be particularly disadvantaged.

Activities of Daily Living↗

PubMed2003

Living arrangements and lifestyle satisfaction among the elderly in Chinese immigrant families: a preliminary study.

BACKGROUND: The aims of this preliminary study were to understand the relationship between the living arrangements and lifestyle satisfaction through investigating how choices of living arrangements impacted upon lifestyle satisfaction of elderly Chinese immigrants in London. METHODS: A qualitative research methodology with semi-structured, face-to-face and in-depth interviews was utilized with eight elderly couples of Chinese immigrant families from Vietnam and Hong Kong. RESULTS: The results indicated that the desirability of current lifestyle was associated with lifestyle satisfaction. Among 12 participants who desired their current lifestyles, nine reported this having a "positive effect" on their lifestyle satisfaction, and no negative effects were reported. In comparison, the negative effects on lifestyle satisfaction were found among four participants who did not desire their current independent residence from their adult children. The reasons the participants desired or not their current lifestyles and the effects on their lifestyle satisfaction were explored qualitatively. The participants might consider family situations (finance, health, age, and kin network) to some extent. but not see them as key determinants in making decisions about living arrangements. However, the Chinese cultural beliefs in living arrangement choices were highly visible in their reports. CONCLUSION: The findings suggested that the elderly participants' desirability of their current lifestyles was positively associated with the level of lifestyle satisfaction. The issue of the living arrangements and lifestyle satisfaction of the elderly acquires new significance at a time when the population in Taiwan is aging, and the socio-economic and cultural changes are more radical than ever.

Aged↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Living arrangement options for young people preparing for independent living.

Innovative living arrangement options are being developed around the country to provide both preparation and practical experience in independent living for older youths unable to return home. This article describes in detail the full continuum of existing options and their general characteristics.

Activities of Daily Living↗