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Formal home care use and spousal health outcomes

Author

Listed:
  • Gonçalves, Judite
  • von Hafe, Francisco
  • Filipe, Luís

Abstract

This study explores the relationship between formal home care provided by paid professionals and spousal health outcomes. We use data from the Survey of Health, Ageing, and Retirement in Europe, a panel of older adults living in several European countries. We match new formal home care users to non-users to eliminate baseline (t−1) differences between couples who decide to seek formal home care in t and those who do not. After considering several potentially confounding changes between baseline and t, and looking closer at specific subgroups, we conclude that in the short run, use of formal home care is unlikely to affect spousal physical or mental health.

Suggested Citation

  • Gonçalves, Judite & von Hafe, Francisco & Filipe, Luís, 2021. "Formal home care use and spousal health outcomes," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 287(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:socmed:v:287:y:2021:i:c:s027795362100705x
    DOI: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2021.114373
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Formal home care; Informal care; Caregiver burden; Spouse caregivers; Health index; Health shocks; Statistical matching;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • C29 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Single Equation Models; Single Variables - - - Other
    • D19 - Microeconomics - - Household Behavior - - - Other
    • I19 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Other

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