Aging Alone: Risks and Opportunities Across Countries
Author Information
Author(s): Mair Christine
Primary Institution: University of Maryland, Baltimore County
Hypothesis
How do family-based models of care impact successful aging across different countries?
Conclusion
Living alone can be a risk factor for poor health in lower income countries but a sign of privilege in higher income countries.
Supporting Evidence
- Older adults will outnumber children for the first time in history.
- Living alone is linked to poor health in lower income countries.
- In high income countries, living alone is often associated with better health.
- Cultural values about family reflect economic development patterns.
Takeaway
Some older people live alone, and this can be good or bad depending on where they live. In rich countries, it's often seen as a good thing, but in poor countries, it can be a problem.
Methodology
The study uses country-level data from various publicly available sources to analyze patterns related to aging and care models.
Limitations
The models of successful aging may not be applicable in lower income countries.
Participant Demographics
The study examines data from low-, middle-, and high-income countries.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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