Diversity in Older Adults’ Care Networks: The Added Value of Individual Beliefs and Social Network Proximity

Marianne T Jacobs, Marjolein I Broese van Groenou, Marja J Aartsen and Dorly J H Deeg

The Journals of Gerontology: Series B, 2018, vol. 73, issue 2, 326-336

Abstract: ObjectivesPolicy reforms in long-term care require an increased share of informal caregivers in elderly care. This may be more feasible for older adults who (believe they) can organize the care themselves and have a local social network. This study describes care network types, how they vary in the share of informal caregivers, and examines associations with characteristics of community-dwelling older adults, including individual beliefs and network proximity.MethodLatent class analyses were applied to a subsample of older care receivers (N = 491) from the Longitudinal Aging Study Amsterdam, in order to identify homogeneous subgroups of people with similar care networks. Multinomial regression analysis explored associations between network type and care receiver characteristics.ResultsPrivately paid, coresidential, large informal, and publicly paid care network types were distinguished. Variation in informal care appeared mostly related to health, partner status, income, and proximity of children. Proximity of other potential informal caregivers did not affect the network type. Perceived control of care was highest in the privately paid network.DiscussionThe results suggest that local (non-)kin could be mobilized more often in coresidential networks. Increasing informal or alternative care in publicly paid networks is less likely, due to limited social and financial resources.

Keywords: Care network; Formal caregivers; Individual beliefs; Informal caregivers; Long-term care; Social network proximity (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2018
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (3)

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The Journals of Gerontology: Series B is currently edited by Psychological Sciences - S. Duke Han, PhD and Social Sciences - Jessica A Kelley, PhD, FGSA

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