EMF22-03: Caregiving Arrangements for Older Adults: The Roles of Family Characteristics and Public Benefits

This project examines the relationship between family structure, public benefits, and caregiving arrangements for older adults. There has been relatively little research that examines how family structure and public benefits affect caregiving arrangements for older adults requiring assistance with activities of daily living. Previous research suggests that when older adult care recipients receive disability benefits, they are more likely to share their income with adult children family caregivers, and those caregivers are likely to provide more hours of care. This project builds on these findings by examining additional public benefits, and considering how these benefits interact with family structure. In particular, this project will examine: the relationship between family characteristics and caregiving arrangements; public benefit receipt and caregiving arrangements; and public benefit generosity and caregiving arrangements.
This project will use linked data from the Health and Retirement Study (HRS) and the Social Security Administration (SSA). In addition to Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI), this project will also study the relationship between other public benefits and caregiving arrangements, including Old Age and Survivor’s Insurance (OASI), Medicaid Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) Waivers, and state sponsored Paid Family Leave.
The results of this study will add to our knowledge of how families are currently using public benefits to support caregiving needs. In turn, the results can inform modifications to benefit structure to better serve older adult care recipients and their families.