When Family Care Isn’t Available: Examining Unmet Care Needs of Kinless, Distanced, and Disconnected Older Adults

Sarah E. Patterson
Research Investigator, Survey Research Center, Institute for Social Research

Co-Investigators

  • Rachel Margolis, University of Western Ontario

Abstract

This pilot project will examine unmet care needs across time and related well-being outcomes for older adults among three at-risk groups  – the kinless (no partner or children), the distanced (no partner or children nearby), and the disconnected (partner and children are disengaged).  Analyses will draw upon the 2015-2019 National Health and Aging Trends Study, a panel study of Medicare beneficiaries ages 65 and older. 

Outcomes

  • Patterson SE, Margolis R. Family Ties and Older Adult Well-Being: Incorporating Social Networks and Proximity. J Gerontol B Psychol Sci Soc Sci. 2023 Dec 6;78(12):2080-2089. doi: 10.1093/geronb/gbad139. PMID: 37738615; PMCID: PMC10699742.
  • Patterson, Sarah E and Rachel Margolis. When Family Ties Are Not Available: Unmet Care Needs Among Kinless, Distanced, and Disconnected Older Adults. Annual Meeting of the Population Association of America, April 6-9, 2022, Atlanta, GA.
  • Patterson, Sarah E and Rachel Margolis. When Family Ties Are Not Available: Unmet Care Needs Among Kinless, Distanced, and Disconnected Older Adults. Demography of Family Caregiver Network meeting, May 2, 2022, Ann Arbor, MI.