Journal of Aging & Social Policy最新文献

Flexible partial retirement schemes are intended to give individuals the opportunity to reduce working hours before moving into full retirement, the expectation being that the reduced workload will contribute to postponed old-age retirement. Yet, there is limited research about whether and how flexible partial pensions are used to exit the labor force, as an income supplement, or as a way of bridging the transition into retirement through part-time employment. During the study period, individuals in Finland could take part of their accrued old-age pension after reaching age 61 regardless of their employment status. Using high-quality register data with monthly information on retirement and wage income, this study uses sequence analysis to analyze how previously employed individuals adjust their employment after taking up a partial old-age pension. Only around one in five continued to work at a reduced wage income level, indicating a reduction in working hours. Around one in six left paid employment just before or after pension take-up. Most individuals did not reduce their working hours when taking up the pension, contrary to the policy goal of the partial old-age pension.

Financial inclusion entails ownership of a formal account, such as a bank account, fintech account, or mobile money account, which can be used to access basic financial services and to send or receive digital payments. This essay analyzes the global and regional trends in financial inclusion of the older population. A descriptive analysis of the World Bank Global Findex 2021 microdata for the older age group was conducted. The findings reveal that financial inclusion of older adults, in terms of formal account ownership of any type, is greater in high-income OECD countries (98%), North America (96%), and the Euro Area (99%). In contrast, financial inclusion of older adults is much lower in low-income countries (25%), Arab countries (44%), Sub-Saharan Africa (44%), and Middle Eastern and North African countries (57%). There is disproportionate progress in financial inclusion of older people across regions, particularly in the "financial institution account" and "use of digital payments" categories. This disparity calls for more coordinated effort to expand access to financial services for older adults and ensure that they have access to old age-appropriate credit, savings, payment, and insurance products that enable them to live a meaningful life even in old age. Notable challenges to financial inclusion of the aging population include low income, discrimination, and poor formal saving culture. However, policymakers can address these challenges by encouraging financial service providers to offer tailored financial products, provide financial education and awareness, introduce digital literacy programs, and increase the financial capability of older adults.

Mental health disorders in the older population have emerged as growing health concerns along with ongoing population aging worldwide. While support provided by various agencies may play a role in combating mental health disorders such as depression, exploring the mediating role of social participation in the pathways linking different forms of support to depression could offer deeper insights. Using data from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS), this study conducted structural equation modeling to investigate the impact of social security and intergenerational support on depression in older adults, as well as the mediating role of social participation. Heterogeneity by gender, education levels, and urban-rural locality were also explored. The results showed that: (1) Social security and intergenerational support were associated with lower levels of depression in older adults; (2) Social participation mediated the effect of social security and intergenerational support on older adults' depression; and (3) The effects of social security on depression were more pronounced among urban and better-educated older adults, while the effects of intergenerational support on depression were more evident among rural and less-educated older adults. Improving social security for the less advantaged could be a priority to tackle depression in older age.

In China, urban-to-urban migration is rising and poised to dominate internal migration. Utilizing data from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS), this study applies a staggered difference-in-differences (DID) approach to examine the impact of long-term care insurance (LTCI) on this emerging migration pattern among the children of older adults. The results indicate that LTCI significantly encourages urban-to-urban migration in the population studied. This facilitative effect is particularly pronounced among children of individuals over 80 years of age, children of non-disabled older adults, adult children, and non-only children in families. LTCI schemes excluding home care payments and adopting fixed payment models demonstrate superior results. Specifically, LTCI strengthens parent-child ties (increased financial support) and boosts children's wage returns. This study not only enriches the understanding of the potential impact of LTCI but also offers new insights into the evolution of internal migration in developing countries.

China's rapidly aging population has strained traditional family-based elder care, leading to the introduction of Long-Term Care Insurance (LTCI) as a government-supported solution. Using data from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS) and employing Difference-in-Differences (DID) and Triple-Difference (DDD) methodologies, this study explores LTCI's impact on intergenerational financial transfers within households. The findings demonstrate that LTCI significantly increases financial support from elderly parents to adult children by reducing elder care-related economic burdens. This effect is notably stronger in low-income families, indicating LTCI's potential to alleviate economic pressures disproportionately experienced by disadvantaged households. By facilitating greater intergenerational financial support, LTCI not only enhances household economic resilience but also contributes to broader social stability and reduced inequality. These insights highlight LTCI's important role beyond health outcomes, emphasizing its strategic value in reshaping family economic dynamics and informing policymakers aiming to strengthen social equity in the context of an aging society.

Despite municipal commitments and growing research, implementation of age-friendly plans remains limited, and older adults continue to face barriers to social engagement and mobility. This study explored decision-making experiences of municipal leaders and elected officials in a region of Ontario, Canada, related to age-friendly policy, budget, and infrastructure. Elected officials (n = 9) and municipal leaders (n = 7) completed a survey assessing their roles, level of involvement, and ratings of their municipality across 12 domains. Interviews explored their visions for age-friendly cities, engagement with older adults, and awareness of how built environments influence active aging. Thematic analysis was conducted. It was clear that decision makers lack meaningful interactions with a diverse group of older adults, and that they base their concept of aging on personal contacts. Decision makers value qualitative data and feel they humanize quantitative data. Despite shared values and goals, siloed governance structures were noted to hinder age-friendly efforts, whereas collaboration with community groups, nonprofits, and private funders was suggested as a means to support age-friendly initiatives. In conclusion, municipal decision makers showed a clear commitment, and often a personal connection, to being age-friendly; however, significant barriers related to bureaucracy, budgets, and evidence-based decision making exist.

Home care aides (HCAs) are a financially vulnerable workforce vital to the United States healthcare system. Using data from the 2023 Financial Health Survey of Washington State HCAs - collected by a nonprofit that administers benefits and training to over 50,000 unionized caregivers - this study examines the prevalence of material hardships (such as food and housing insecurity) among HCAs and compares it to rates of hardship in the general population (using data from the Census Bureau's Survey of Income and Program Participation, or SIPP). To establish a potential cause of hardship among HCAs, this study investigates the relationship between caregiving income volatility and material hardship. Results indicate 75% of HCAs experience at least one material hardship, a rate significantly higher than found among Washingtonians with similar incomes. Income volatility appears to exacerbate these hardships, underscoring the need for solutions that address both wage increases and financial stability. Policy recommendations include raising wages and implementing emergency savings programs. These interventions have the potential not only to improve the economic well-being and job satisfaction of HCAs but also to enhance workforce retention and the quality of care provided to vulnerable populations. Addressing these inequities is essential for sustaining a growing and effective home care workforce.

Information-seeking behavior has become more diversified with the proliferation of digital technologies. This study investigated the relationship between digital engagement in searching for information and experience of unmet healthcare needs among older adults in South Korea Data from the 2017 and 2020 National Survey of Older Koreans were used to examine the relationship between digital engagement and unmet healthcare needs across four dimensions of access, based on Levesque's model: approachability, acceptability, availability, and affordability. Older adults with no digital engagement were more likely to experience unmet healthcare needs overall, with the strongest association observed in the domain of acceptability, which relates to ability to accept and seek healthcare services. This suggests that enhancing digital engagement may help reduce unmet needs by strengthening trust and perceived relevance, key aspects of the acceptability domain. Policy interventions and educational programs should be developed to provide older adults with the essential digital skills they need to better engage with healthcare services.

In today's world, where digital transformation offers numerous benefits, its uneven distribution - often driven by socioeconomic and demographic factors - can exacerbate social inequalities. This study examines the digital divide among vulnerable older adults in Thailand by assessing digital competence defined as the practical, cognitive, and confidence-based skills required to access and use digital technologies, particularly in relation to government welfare services. Digital competence is evaluated across five domains: information literacy, communication, online safety, problem-solving, and confidence in online engagement. The findings reveal significant gaps in digital literacy, with limited device ownership and internet access identified as critical barriers. Logistic regression analysis indicates that income, education, and personal access to technology are significant predictors of digital competence. While the results are region-specific, they provide important insights into the challenges faced by older populations in similar socioeconomic contexts. The study underscores the urgent need for targeted interventions, such as digital skills training and increased access to affordable technology, to promote inclusion and enhance the quality of life for older adults. These efforts are crucial for reducing disparities and ensuring equitable participation in Thailand's increasingly digital society. Implementing policies and interventions that effectively address this divide is essential to fostering greater social and digital inclusion.

Turkey's aging population and rising care needs highlight the urgency of addressing unmet needs in daily and instrumental activities (I/ADL). Using nationally representative 2016 Turkish Health Survey data, this study examines the prevalence of unmet I/ADL needs and associated risk factors among community-dwelling older adults aged 65 and older. Findings reveal a high prevalence of unmet needs, particularly for bathing, shopping, and housework. Unmet I/ADL needs are most common among older adults who are women, not married, more advanced in age, have lower education levels, lack pension income, live with chronic illnesses, and report poor health. High unmet I/ADL needs reflect broader gaps in care provision for older adults living in the community, necessitating reforms in institutional and home and community-based services, pension and financing mechanisms, and workforce capacity to ensure equitable service provision. These findings underscore the need for equitable, culturally responsive solutions to inform sustainable care frameworks for Turkey and similar familialistic societies.