Rapid changes of population structure, family structure, and transition in the world economy have resulted in significant changes in the living arrangements, social support and associated well-being among older age population. Using data from the Taiwan Longitudinal Survey on Ageing (1996-2007), we employed group-based trajectory models to investigate longitudinal trajectory patterns of living arrangement and social support over time. Results demonstrated that the majority of the older adults showed living with spouse and children (>=30%) and those living alone or with a spouse accounted for 20%. Older people, rural residence, widowhood or widowerhood, or never get married were more likely to live alone or live with spouse only. Persistently living alone had decreased life satisfaction and increased depression after adjusting for sociodemographic variables. Many older adults had experienced consistently high instrumental support (>75%), whereas the majority of older adults showed a consistently low emotional support (40%). Men, higher educated and married older adults and those having more numbers of surviving children were more likely to experience increasing and high instrumental support than the counterparts. Those with consistently high emotional support had the highest life satisfaction, lowest depression score, and lowest probability of being reported poor health than those of persistently low support. Those in the declining instrumental support trajectory group had the poorest health outcomes. The results imply that policy regarding resource allocation of long-term care should target on those with living alone or a spouse only and those with low social support to improve the wellbeing in later life.

Authors:
Miaw-Chwen Lee, National Chung Cheng University, Taiwan
Ya-Ming Liu, National Cheng Kung University, Taiwan
Cheng-Tsung Chen, Sanming University, China

About the Presenter(s)
Professor Miaw-Chwen Lee is a University Professor/Principal Lecturer at National Chung Cheng University in Taiwan

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