WHEN YOUR CAREGIVER IS ALSO YOUR CONFIDANT: CAREGIVER FUNCTIONS AND THE QUALITY OF CARE RECEIVED BY OLDER ADULTS
2024

Caregivers as Confidants Improve Care for Older Adults

Sample size: 1875 publication Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Shang Yongxin, Patterson Sarah

Primary Institution: Cornell University

Hypothesis

Does having a caregiver who is also a confidant improve the quality of care received by older adults?

Conclusion

Older adults with caregivers who are also confidants receive more care and have fewer unmet care needs in household activities.

Supporting Evidence

  • 76% of older adults identify at least one caregiver as a confidant.
  • Older adults with a confidant caregiver receive more hours of care.
  • Having a confidant caregiver is associated with fewer unmet care needs in household activities.

Takeaway

Having a caregiver you can talk to about important things helps older people get better care.

Methodology

The study used baseline data from the National Health and Aging Trends Study (NHATS) and performed OLS and logistic regressions.

Participant Demographics

Medicare beneficiaries aged 65 or above with at least one caregiver.

Statistical Information

P-Value

p < 0.001; p < 0.05

Statistical Significance

p<0.001

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1093/geroni/igae098.1291

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