Amritpal Rehill
Previous analyses suggest individuals are most likely going to think they will provide care if other family members also do so. This project explores how care for older people is split between family members, in particular children given increasing childlessness, and what factors determine this.
English Longitudinal Study of Aging wave 10 data are analysed, exploring common combinations of carers supporting individuals aged 50+ with at least one need with a personal care task (e.g. bathing) or task required to live independently (e.g. shopping), grouping individuals by what combination of carers support them. Initial results suggest that those reporting no care from a co-resident spouse/partner in the vast majority of cases didn’t have a surviving spouse/partner. However, it was common to have children not providing care. Those cared for only by daughters not living with them were more likely to be women (80%+). Those cared for only by spouse/partners were younger (71 on average), less likely to utilise paid care from professionals and had lower formal care costs. Those cared for by spouse/partners (possibly alongside others) reported the highest average hours of care.
Future analysis will explore how the number and composition of carers changes through time, and what factors determine this. Qualitative interviews will explore how discussions around care are navigated, and what factors determines how care is split.
Amritpal Rehill, A.S.Rehill@lse.ac.uk
