Navigating late-life parental care transitions: implications for adult children's psychosocial well-being

Seventy percent of adults aged 65 and older experience late-life care transitions, often due to health decline, requiring increasing support for daily activities. Adult children typically assist their aging parents through these transitions: managing chores, health needs, and long-term care (LTC) entry if necessary. While psychological impacts on caregivers and care recipients are well-documented, the broader effects on adult children's well-being are less studied.

This study used data from the Health and Retirement Study (2010-2018) to examine associations between late-life parental care transitions and psychosocial well-being of middle-aged children. The baseline sample included 4,961 respondents (average age 55) with at least one living parent. Well-being was assessed by changes in distress (the Composite International Diagnostic Interview) and one-item life satisfaction. Weighted generalized logit models estimated the odds of parental transitions; average changes in well-being by parental care transitions were examined using the Marginal Structural Framework.

Most respondents reported their parents living in the community; 21% had parents with at least one LTC transition. Those with parents entering or living in LTC were generally older, non-Hispanic White, better educated, and had parents with cognitive decline. When parents aged in the community, adult children experienced lower distress (-0.11, 95% CI: -0.17, -0.05) and higher life satisfaction (0.04, 95% CI: 0.00, 0.08); LTC transitions showed mixed evidence of worsening outcomes.

Community aging remains prevalent and positively associated with children's well-being; however, disparities in access and support for those seeking LTC options require further research.