Changes in the support networks of older adults in the Netherlands

At first, the study describes the hierarchy in types of network members who provide instrumental and/or emotional support within a sample of older Dutch adults aged between 55 and 89 (n = 2,709). The hierarchy of instrumental support differs by partner status of the older adult, but the hierarchy in emotional support does not vary with the availability of partner or children. Secondly, multi-level regression analyses using longitudinal data indicate that 46 bereaved older adults received increased instrumental support from their network, while their receipt of emotional support remained unchanged. Shifts in the hierarchy of instrumental support were observed, but not in the hierarchy of emotional support. Older people who suffered a decrease in physical mobility (n = 384) received more instrumental and emotional support, but the ranking of supporter types changed little. It is concluded that despite changes in intensity of support, the hierarchies of types of supporters have generally remained stable over time.