Changes in living arrangements of functionally dependent older adults and their adult children

This study investigated health and sociodemographic variables associated with co-residency patterns among older patients and their adult children following discharge from an acute care hospital. Data for the analysis were obtained from 172 adult children caring for functionally impaired parents. Logistic regression was employed to determine the probability that an older parent establishes co-residency with the adult child following hospitalization instead of remaining in a separate household. Results indicate that the overall level of caregiver involvement in activities of daily living (ADL) and instrumental activities of daily living (IADL) were strong predictors of parent and adult children forming a joint household. Increased household income of caregivers was inversely related to co-residency. Decisions about co-residency following hospitalization appear to hinge both on parental need and the resources of the adult child, suggesting that the decision to move together is largely one of need and not preference.