Aging & Society: Eighth Interdisciplinary Conference

Abstract

With rapidly ageing in East Asia, it has become imperative to better characterize the prevalence and nature of long-term care needs (LTC) among the elderly. This study investigates LTC needs in the context of old adults who face limitations in activities of daily living (ADL) or with cognitive impairment (CI), and thus need aids to fulfil daily activities. Drawing data from three waves of the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey (CLHLS), this study shows that about 18 per cent of the Chinese elderly aged 65 to 99 reported LTC needs in the baseline year of 2002. These proportions increased to 20 per cent in the final wave of 2008/09. Results from panel regression models indicate that factors such as (i) low income, (ii) inadequate medical services, (iii) lack of social support and social activities, (iv) under-consumption of fresh fruits, (v) emotional distress and (vi) ageing are the factors that positively contribute to LTC needs. Furthermore, this study also shows that the effects of family-related factors can be mixed. Being spouseless is a risk factor for LTC needs but childless elders are less likely to have LTC needs. However, these associations are explained by age and rural/urban residence. These results may reflect the changing elderly care dynamics in China with a shrinking family size and fewer adult children available for elderly care as well as the urgent need to build up public LTC system.