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Effects of Care Arrangement on the Age of Institutionalization among Community-dwelling Chinese Older Adults.

Publication ,  Journal Article
Wang, J; Yang, Q; Wu, B
Published in: Journal of aging & social policy
September 2023

Early and unnecessary institutionalization of older adults can be a heavy burden on the country and taxpayers. It is crucial to understand factors impacting the age of institutionalization of older adults in China. This study examined care arrangements of older adults in China and the relationship between these arrangements and the age of relocation to long-term care facilities (institutionalization). Results show that care arrangements affect the age of institutionalization among community-dwelling Chinese older adults. Those who were primarily cared for by sons and daughter-in-laws tended to be institutionalized at a significantly later age compared to those who were cared for by their spouses. Those who were primarily cared for by other relatives and friends, by domestic helpers, and those with no caregivers tended to have significantly earlier institutionalization compared to those who were cared for by their spouses. However, the number of older adults living in empty nest families is increasing rapidly. Traditional family support for older adults has been shrinking due to fewer children, out-migration of adult children from rural to urban areas, and increased employment of women in China. There is an acute shortage of competent and qualified elder care workers. Most Chinese domestic helpers started their work with limited or even no training, risking the safety of themselves and their employers. In addition to increasing and optimizing the investment in the elder care industry, legal protection and policy support for the elderly and domestic helpers are urgently needed to address these key issues.

Duke Scholars

Published In

Journal of aging & social policy

DOI

EISSN

1545-0821

ISSN

0895-9420

Publication Date

September 2023

Volume

35

Issue

5

Start / End Page

595 / 610

Related Subject Headings

  • Gerontology
  • 4407 Policy and administration
  • 1701 Psychology
  • 1607 Social Work
  • 1605 Policy and Administration
 

Citation

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MLA
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Wang, J., Yang, Q., & Wu, B. (2023). Effects of Care Arrangement on the Age of Institutionalization among Community-dwelling Chinese Older Adults. Journal of Aging & Social Policy, 35(5), 595–610. https://doi.org/10.1080/08959420.2020.1726720
Wang, Jing, Qing Yang, and Bei Wu. “Effects of Care Arrangement on the Age of Institutionalization among Community-dwelling Chinese Older Adults.Journal of Aging & Social Policy 35, no. 5 (September 2023): 595–610. https://doi.org/10.1080/08959420.2020.1726720.
Wang J, Yang Q, Wu B. Effects of Care Arrangement on the Age of Institutionalization among Community-dwelling Chinese Older Adults. Journal of aging & social policy. 2023 Sep;35(5):595–610.
Wang, Jing, et al. “Effects of Care Arrangement on the Age of Institutionalization among Community-dwelling Chinese Older Adults.Journal of Aging & Social Policy, vol. 35, no. 5, Sept. 2023, pp. 595–610. Epmc, doi:10.1080/08959420.2020.1726720.
Wang J, Yang Q, Wu B. Effects of Care Arrangement on the Age of Institutionalization among Community-dwelling Chinese Older Adults. Journal of aging & social policy. 2023 Sep;35(5):595–610.

Published In

Journal of aging & social policy

DOI

EISSN

1545-0821

ISSN

0895-9420

Publication Date

September 2023

Volume

35

Issue

5

Start / End Page

595 / 610

Related Subject Headings

  • Gerontology
  • 4407 Policy and administration
  • 1701 Psychology
  • 1607 Social Work
  • 1605 Policy and Administration