This Article Full Text (PDF) References Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in Web of Science Alert me to new issues of the journal Add to Saved Citations Download to citation manager Request Permissions Request Reprints Add to My Marked Citations Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Web of Science (1) Citing Articles via Google Scholar Citing Articles via Scopus Google Scholar Articles by Zimmer, Z. Search for Related Content Social Bookmarking                         What's this?

Health and Living Arrangement Transitions Among China’s Oldest-Old

Population Council, zzimmer{at}popcouncil.org

This article begins with the notion that the family in China acts altruistically, aiming toward the comfortable survival of all members. On the basis of this perspective, coresidence with older adults is more likely to occur when needs are greatest, for instance, when health deteriorates or a spouse dies. There is also the possibility of gender variation due to differences in authority and emotional bonds between older women and men and their families. These notions are tested using longitudinal data. Cross-sectional and transitional models link health status measures with living arrangement outcomes. Results show changes in living arrangements occur frequently. Functional limitations are more strongly associated with living arrangements than are other health indicators. Health indicators are more strongly related for those not married. Gender interactions show a health event is most likely to trigger a living arrangement response for a woman. Implications for a rapidly aging China are discussed.

Key Words: living arrangements • coresidence • Asia • China • support • health status • functional limitations • oldest-old

Research on Aging, Vol. 27, No. 5, 526-555 (2005)
DOI: 10.1177/0164027505277848


CiteULike    Complore    Connotea    Del.icio.us    Digg    Reddit    Technorati    Twitter    What's this?

This article has been cited by other articles:

				T. Kaneda, Z. Zimmer, Xianghua Fang, and Zhe Tang Gender Differences in Functional Health and Mortality Among the Chinese Elderly: Testing an Exposure Versus Vulnerability Hypothesis Research on Aging, May 1, 2009; 31(3): 361 - 388. [Abstract] [PDF]

				Feinian Chen and S. E. Short Household Context and Subjective Well-Being Among the Oldest Old in China Journal of Family Issues, October 1, 2008; 29(10): 1379 - 1403. [Abstract] [PDF]