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Health and Living Arrangement Transitions among China’s Oldest-old

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Healthy Longevity in China

Part of the book series: The Springer Series on Demographic Methods and Population Analysis ((PSDE,volume 20))

Abstract

This chapter begins with the notion that families in China act altruistically toward the old in that they operate as a single corporate unit, aiming toward the comfortable survival of all members. Coresidence with elders, based on this perspective, more likely occurs when needs are greatest, for instance, when health deteriorates or 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. Cross-sectional and transitional multinomial 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 health change most likely triggers a living arrangement response for women. Implications for a rapidly aging China are discussed.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Sociology, University of Utah, 260 S. Central Campus Drive, Room 214, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA

    Zachary Zimmer

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  1. Zachary Zimmer
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Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Duke University, Durham, NC, USA

    Zeng Yi

  2. Peking University, Beijing, China

    Zeng Yi

  3. Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA

    Dudley L. Poston Jr

  4. Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA, USA

    Denese Ashbaugh Vlosky

  5. Duke University, Durham, NC, USA

    Danan Gu

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Zimmer, Z. (2008). Health and Living Arrangement Transitions among China’s Oldest-old. In: Yi, Z., Poston, D.L., Vlosky, D.A., Gu, D. (eds) Healthy Longevity in China. The Springer Series on Demographic Methods and Population Analysis, vol 20. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4020-6752-5_13

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