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Assessment of Dependence in Activities of Daily Living Among Older Patients in an Acute Care Unit
Published on: September 30, 2020
Partner caregiving in older cohabiting couples
1Center for Demography of Health and Aging, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 1180 Observatory Drive, Madison, WI 53706, USA. cnoel@ssc.wisc.edu
Summary
Older cohabiting adults receive less partner care than married adults. However, cohabiting partners provide a larger share of care, offering comparable hours to spouses.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Sociology of the Family
- Health Services Research
Background:
- Cohabitation among older adults is increasing, yet caregiving research predominantly focuses on married couples.
- Existing literature on intra-couple care has not adequately addressed the unique dynamics within cohabiting unions of older adults.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare care receipt patterns between frail cohabiting older adults and their married counterparts.
- To investigate differences in partner caregiving hours and involvement between cohabiting and married couples.
Main Methods:
- Utilized nationally representative panel data from the Health and Retirement Study (2000-2006).
- Employed random effects cross-sectional time series models to analyze care receipt likelihood and caregiving intensity.
- Controlled for sociodemographic, disability, and comorbidity factors.
Main Results:
- Frail cohabitors were less likely to receive partner care compared to married individuals.
- Nonmarital partners provided similar caregiving hours as spouses.
- Nonmarital partners contributed a substantially larger proportion of care compared to marital partners.
Conclusions:
- Cohabitation and marriage significantly influence older adults' patterns of partner care receipt.
- Acknowledging diverse union forms, including cohabitation, is crucial for understanding older adults' well-being and care dynamics.
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