scholarly journals Living Alone Among Older Adults in Canada and the U.S.

Healthcare ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 68 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sharon M. Lee ◽  
Barry Edmonston
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Living Arrangements ◽  
Well Being ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Living Alone ◽  
Design And Technology ◽  
Foreign Born ◽  
Older Immigrants ◽  
The U.S ◽  
Acculturation Factors

Increasing proportions of people, including older adults, live alone. Studying living arrangements of the elderly is important because these affect and reflect general well-being of the elderly and inform communities’ response to elderly housing needs. We analyze data from the 2006 Canadian Census and the 2006 American Community Survey to examine living alone among non-married older adults aged 55 and older in Canada and the U.S. The paper has two parts. First, we compare native- and foreign-born elderly to see if immigrants are less likely to live alone. Second, we examine factors associated with living alone among older immigrants. While older immigrants in both countries are less likely to live alone, the large differences are substantially reduced once various explanatory variables are considered. Comparisons of four gender/country groups of older immigrants show the positive role of economic and acculturation factors on living alone among older immigrants. With few exceptions, predictors of living alone are similar for older immigrants in Canada and the U.S.: living alone is mainly explained by a combination of economic and acculturation factors, taking demographic variables into account. Findings underline the need for age-friendly housing with innovative design and technology that can accommodate older people who live alone, including older immigrants who may have different needs and cultural preferences.

scholarly journals A longitudinal analysis of the association between the living arrangements and psychological well-being of older Chinese adults: the role of income sources

2019 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Zi Zhou ◽  
Lun Cai ◽  
Meilan Zhuang ◽  
Y. Alicia Hong ◽  
Ya Fang
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Living Arrangements ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Total Sample ◽  
Moderating Effect ◽  
Living Alone ◽  
Psychological Well Being ◽  
Income Sources ◽  
The Government ◽  
The Relationship

Abstract Background Understanding how living arrangements may affect psychological well-being (PWB) is critical in China, a society with the largest older population in the world. However, few studies have examined the moderating effect of income sources on the relationship between living arrangements and PWB. Our aim was to examine whether living arrangements are associated with PWB and whether income sources moderate this association. Methods The data were drawn from the third (2002) to sixth (2011/2012) waves of the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey (CLHLS). Six questions reflecting older adults’ well-being were used to measure PWB. Living arrangements were classified as follows: living alone, living with family and living in an institution. Income sources were categorized into financially independent, supported by children, and governmental support. We performed random-effects ordinal probit models to examine the association of living arrangements with PWB and the moderating effect of income sources on this relationship. Results We included a total sample of 30,899 observations for 16,020 respondents aged 65 and over during 9-year follow-up. Older adults living with family (β = .29, p < .001) and those living in an institution (β = .34, p < .001) had stronger PWB than those living alone; moreover, support from children (β= −.24, p < .001) or from the government (β= −.08, p < .05) has a negative effect on PWB compared to the effect of financial self-support. Living in an institution with support from children (β= −.22, p < .05) led to lower PWB than living alone with financial self-support. The opposite result was observed for older adults living with their family and supported by the government (β = .16, p < .05). Conclusions Our analysis provides a significant contribution to the existing literature on the relationship between living arrangements and PWB in China. We recognize that living with family or in an institution leads to better PWB than does living alone. In addition, financial support from the government can moderate this association.

scholarly journals Associations Between Physical Activity and Living Alone: Are There Differences by Gender?

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 495-496
Author(s):  
Jianjia Cheng ◽  
Emily Nicklett
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Living Arrangements ◽  
Health Behavior Change ◽  
Living Alone ◽  
Metabolic Equivalents ◽  
Lifestyle Questionnaire ◽  
Health Related ◽  
Nationally Representative ◽  
The U.S

Abstract Nearly one in three adults aged 65 and older live alone in the U.S. Despite this increasing trend, there remains little understanding regarding the relationship between living alone and physical activity (PA) in older adulthood. Is living alone a risk factor for lower levels of PA among older adults? The effects of living arrangements on health behaviors could differ by gender; however, findings from prior studies on this topic have been mixed or inconclusive. This is one of few studies to examine whether PA is associated with living alone (vs. living with others) and whether the association differs by gender using longitudinal data. Our data were drawn from 2006-2014 Psychosocial and Lifestyle Questionnaire of the Health and Retirement Study, a nationally representative sample of older adults in the U.S. (N=17371, mean age=75.4). PA was measured repeatedly using metabolic equivalents of task (MET) estimated values accounting for the vigor and frequency of self-reported PA (range 0-31). Using mixed-effects linear regression, we found that living alone was significantly associated with higher levels of PA (Coeff.: 0.41, p&lt;0.001). When examined separately by gender, living alone was associated with significantly higher PA among women (Coeff.: 0.47, p&lt;0.001) but not among men (Coeff.: 0.29, p=0.14) after controlling for marital status, other sociodemographic characteristics, and health-related indicators. Our study provides evidence of gendered differences in initiating and maintaining health behavior change in relation to living arrangements. Findings provide implications for the design of PA promotion programs and policies for older adults.

A Longitudinal Analysis of the Association Between Living Arrangements and Health Among Older Adults in China

2016 ◽  
Vol 40 (1) ◽  
pp. 72-97 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zi Zhou ◽  
Fanzhen Mao ◽  
Jiaping Ma ◽  
Shichao Hao ◽  
Zhengmin (Min) Qian ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Cognitive Impairment ◽  
Living Arrangements ◽  
Living Arrangement ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Living Alone ◽  
Psychological Well Being ◽  
Self Rated Health ◽  
Health Differences ◽  
Adl Disability

This article used the nationally representative Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey to explore the associations between living arrangements and health among older adults. Living arrangements were stratified into six categories. Health was measured by self-rated health, activities of daily living (ADL) disability, and cognitive impairment. Random-effects ordered probit regressions were applied. The results indicated that coresidence had a positive effect on self-rated health compared with living alone. After introducing psychological well-being, the health differences observed in living with a spouse and living with both spouse and children were not significant. Participants with each of the living arrangement were more likely to have a higher rate of cognitive impairment and ADL disability than those living alone. Living arrangements were associated with older adults’ health. Psychological well-being was a key factor in this association, which may result from living with a spouse, and could contribute to the self-rated health of older adults.

Impact of Social Integration and Living Arrangements on Korean Older Adults’ Depression

2017 ◽  
Vol 86 (3) ◽  
pp. 306-321 ◽  
Author(s):  
Youjung Lee ◽  
Kyeonghee Jang ◽  
Naorah C. Lockhart
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Social Integration ◽  
Living Arrangements ◽  
Culturally Responsive ◽  
Multivariate Logistic Regression Analysis ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Living Alone ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
Moderation Effect ◽  
Predictors Of Depression

Depression among older adults is a challenging public health concern in Korea. Using panel data from the Korea Institute for Health and Social Affairs on Korean older adults and their family caregivers, this study explores significant predictors of depression among Korean older adults as well as the moderating effect of living arrangements on the association between social integration and depression. A multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that preexisting depression was the most significant predictor of Korean older adults’ current depression, followed by health status and family support. In addition, social integration significantly decreased Korean older adults’ depression. Importantly, a significant moderation effect of living arrangements between Korean older adults’ social integration and depression was observed. This study implies the development of individually tailored and culturally responsive programs to engage marginalized Korean older adults living alone, helping foster their well-being and optimal aging.

scholarly journals Neighborhood Conditions, Self-Management Abilities, and Psychological Well-Being Among Chinese Older Adults

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 294-294
Author(s):  
Bei Wu ◽  
Wei Zhang ◽  
Keqing Zhang
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Least Square ◽  
Self Management ◽  
Foreign Born ◽  
Psychological Well Being ◽  
Neighborhood Conditions ◽  
Chinese Older Adults ◽  
Physical Conditions ◽  
The U.S

Abstract Abstract Few studies have examined the associations between neighborhood conditions and psychological well-being for Chinese older adults in the U.S. This study examined how neighborhood conditions were associated with psychological well-being through self-management abilities as a pathway among Chinese older adults in Hawaiʻi. Survey data were collected in 2018 and ordinary Least Square regressions and mediation analysis were conducted. For the whole sample, both neighborhood physical conditions and social cohesion were significantly associated with psychological well-being, and the associations were significantly mediated by self-management abilities. The foreign-born subsample shared similar results with the whole sample. For the U.S.-born subsample, psychological well-being was only significantly associated with neighborhood physical conditions, and the association was mediated by self-management abilities. Our findings suggest that both physical and social neighborhood conditions are associated with psychological well-being, particularly for foreign-born older adults, and psychological resources such as self-management abilities could mediate the associations.

scholarly journals Dementia and Living Arrangements Among Mexicans and Mexican Americans

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 478-479
Author(s):  
Jiwon Kim ◽  
Sunshine Rote ◽  
Silvia Mejia-Arango ◽  
Mariana López-Ortega ◽  
Jacqueline Angel ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Living Arrangements ◽  
Mexican Americans ◽  
Later Life ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
The United States ◽  
Epidemiologic Studies ◽  
Living Alone ◽  
Older Individuals ◽  
Aging Study ◽  
The U.S

Abstract This study compares the living arrangements of adults 85 and older in Mexican-origin adults in Mexico and the United States. The study uses 475 Mexican-Americans in five southwestern states (Hispanic Established Population for the Epidemiologic Studies of the Elderly, H-EPESE) and 1,710 Mexicans from 32 states in Mexico (Mexican Health and Aging Study, MHAS) to examine living alone vs living with others based on the presence of dementia controlling for demographic, health, and financial correlates. In both countries, more than 20% of respondents living alone have dementia. Dementia is associated with household extension in both countries. Homeownership increases household extension in Mexico but not the U.S. The findings show that individuals with dementia are more likely to live alone in the U.S. than in Mexico. Older individuals with dementia may be at elevated risk of isolation in later life if families or formal organizations cannot provide on-going assistance.

scholarly journals Living Arrangements and Psychosocial Well-Being Among Older Adults: Evidence From the Health and Retirement Study

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 121-122
Author(s):  
Rashmita Basu ◽  
Huabin Luo ◽  
Adrienne Steiner ◽  
Alan Stevens
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Life Satisfaction ◽  
Living Arrangements ◽  
Satisfaction With Life ◽  
Negative Emotion ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Cognitive Status ◽  
Living Alone ◽  
Satisfaction With Life Scale ◽  
Linear Regression Models

Abstract Despite growing attention to the association between living arrangements and health outcomes, less is known about how emotional well-being and life satisfaction vary by living arrangements. Using data from the 2014 and 2016 Leave Behind Questionnaires from the Health and Retirement Survey (N=13,275), we estimated generalized linear regression models comparing emotional well-being (a ratio of positive to negative emotion) and life satisfaction (the satisfaction with life scale, SWLS) by living alone versus living with others, controlling for socioeconomic and other health-related characteristics. Overall, individuals who lived alone had lower emotional well-being (β=-0.11; p&lt;0.01), and SWLS score (β=-0.42; p&lt;0.001), compared to those living with others. The direction of these relationships stratified by the cognitive status was the same. Policies and programs designed to support the growing population of older adults living alone should focus on improvement in these positive outcomes to enhance the quality of life.

scholarly journals Intergenerational Relationships, Social Support, and Psychological Well-Being Among Korean Older Adults

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 498-498
Author(s):  
Yooumi Lee ◽  
Janet Wilmoth
Keyword(s):  
Social Support ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Living Arrangements ◽  
Linear Models ◽  
Depression Scale ◽  
Adult Child ◽  
Intergenerational Relationships ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Psychological Well Being

Abstract This study investigates whether intergenerational relationships and social support improve the psychological well-being of Korean older adults. We examine whether intergenerational relationships and social support directly influence psychological well-being and the extent to which they mediate the distressing consequences of life events such as declining health and recent widowhood. Using longitudinal data from the 2006 to 2016 Korean Longitudinal Study of Aging, we explore depression trajectories among individuals who are 60 or older with at least one living adult child at baseline. Specifically, we converted data from 5,383 older adults into a person-period file with 24,726 observations over a ten-year period. Then we estimated linear growth curve models of depression trajectories separately for men and women using the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D). Results from the hierarchical linear models indicate that declining health and recent widowhood are positively related to depressive symptoms. Satisfactory intergenerational relationships and social support in the form of personal interactions and proximate living arrangements with adult children decrease depressive symptoms of older parents, especially among women. We conclude that the psychological benefits of intergenerational relationships and social support are contingent upon the vulnerability of older adults and discuss the implications for public policy.

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