Living arrangements, relationship to people in the household and admission to care homes for older people

McCann, M. , Donnelly, M. and O'Reilly, D. (2011) Living arrangements, relationship to people in the household and admission to care homes for older people. Age and Ageing, 40(3), pp. 358-363. (doi: 10.1093/ageing/afr031)

Abstract

<b>Objective:</b> to assess the separate contributions of marital status, living arrangements and the presence of children to subsequent admission to a care home.<p></p> <b>Design and methods:</b> a longitudinal study derived from the health card registration system and linked to the 2001 Census, comprising 28% of the Northern Ireland population was analysed using Cox regression to assess the likelihood of admission for 51,619 older people in the 6 years following the census. Cohort members’ age, sex, marital and health status and relationship to other household members were analysed.<p></p> <b>Results:</b> there were 2,138 care home admissions; a rate of 7.4 admissions per thousand person years. Those living alone had the highest likelihood of admission [hazard ratio (HR) compared with living with partner 1.66 (95% CI 1.48, 1.87)] but there was little difference between the never-married and the previously married. Living with children offered similar protection as living with a partner (HR 0.97; 95% CI 0.81, 1.16). The presence of children reduced admissions especially for married couples (HR 0.67 95% CI 0.54, 0.83; models adjusting for age, gender and health). Women were more likely to be admitted, though there were no gender differences for people living alone or those co-habiting with siblings.<p></p> <b>Implications:</b> presence of potential caregivers within the home, rather than those living elsewhere, is a major factor determining admission to care home. Further research should concentrate on the health and needs of these co-residents.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: McCann, Dr Mark
• Authors: McCann, M., Donnelly, M., and O'Reilly, D.
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Health & Wellbeing > MRC/CSO SPHSU
• Journal Name: Age and Ageing
• Publisher: Oxford University Press
• ISSN: 0002-0729
• ISSN (Online): 1468-2834