Predicting Risks of Older Adults Moving to Residential Care Based on Caregiver Networks
Author Information
Author(s): Nemmers Natasha, Lai Wenhua, Haldar Srabani, Tsuker Sophia, Freedman Vicki, Leggett Amanda
Primary Institution: Wayne State University
Hypothesis
The study examines how caregiver network characteristics influence the risk of older adults transitioning to residential care.
Conclusion
Caregiver network characteristics significantly affect older adults' ability to remain at home, with larger networks and complex care needs increasing relocation risks.
Supporting Evidence
- Individuals with caregiver networks that shared medical tasks had the highest risk of moving to residential care.
- Larger caregiver networks were associated with heightened risk of relocation.
- Having close family like a spouse was protective against moving to residential care.
Takeaway
If older people have a lot of caregivers helping them, they might actually be more likely to move to a care home, especially if they don't have close family around.
Methodology
The study used competing risk regressions to analyze data from the National Health and Aging Trends Study.
Participant Demographics
Community-dwelling older adults aged 65 and older.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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