Journal of Aging & Social Policy最新文献

Evidence to date has been inconclusive on the effects of public pension on family support to older adults, and the underlying mechanism behind such effects remains unclear. This study examines the effects of the New Rural Social Pension Scheme on family support to empty-nest older parents in rural China, where family care is traditionally favored for older adults. Using data from the China Longitudinal Aging Social Survey, the findings reveal that pension receipt promotes bidirectional financial transfers and intimate relationships between generations, thus increasing (or crowding in) children's financial and care support to their empty-nest parents. On the other hand, receiving pensions may discourage parental care support to children and partially decrease (or crowd out) children's financial and care support. This crowding-out effect, however, is limited and thus insufficient for counteracting the crowding-in effects from other pathways. Overall, these findings indicate that national welfare, such as pensions, can encourage family support through inter-generational contracts and intimacy, strengthening familial bonds and facilitating mutual assistance within families. For policy implications, government should prioritize improving benefit levels of public pensions to harness the caregiving potential of families and providing essential services that assist families in addressing care burdens.

Barrier-free communities aim to let older adults and people with disabilities participate equally in city life by removing physical, informational, and service barriers. This study examines how older people in Zhuhai, China, learn about and act on barrier-free initiatives. A qualitative design grounded in diffusion of innovations was used. Fieldwork ran from January 2022 to January 2024 and included semi structured interviews with 11 participants aged 65 to 70, averaging 95 minutes, plus sustained nonparticipant observation at community sites. Grounded theory guided analysis through open, axial, and selective coding to link media channels with stages of conceptual recognition. Findings show a layered channel mix. Mass media provides authority, digital platforms expand reach, and interpersonal ties supply reassurance and practical steps. Understanding and participation rise where visible upgrades are present and procedures are simple, but stall where resources are thin or publicity outpaces delivery. The study recommends pairing physical retrofits with clear communication, digital helpdesks, and simple ways for residents to review and test changes, so recognition turns into routine use.

The dementia population has higher rates of mortality during hospital stays than those without dementia. The aim of this study is to examine the relationship between ownership status (i.e. for-profit vs. not-for-profit) and nursing resources (i.e. nurse work environment, nurse-to-patient staffing, and nurse education) on 30-day mortality among post-surgical older adults with dementia. A cross-sectional analysis of linked American Hospital Association, Medicare claims, and nurse survey data was conducted using multi-level logistic regression models. We examined these models to assess the relationship between ownership status and 30-day mortality after adjusting patient and hospital characteristics. We also analyzed the relationship between the hospital ownership status and the 30-day mortality, after considering the three nursing resources. Older adults with dementia who received care in hospitals with not-for-profit status were less likely to die within 30 days of admission following surgery compared to those treated in hospitals with for-profit hospital status (i.e. odds ratio 0.82, 95% confidence interval 0.73-0.92, p = <.001). In addition, the odds ratios estimating the association between ownership and mortality were similar across the different models of the three nursing resources with and without those controls (i.e. 0.88 vs. 0.83 vs. 0.82). Surgical patients with dementia had better outcomes when cared for in not-for-profit hospitals, particularly with greater levels of nurse education and nurse staffing. The relationship between profit status and mortality was partly explained by the lower levels of nurse staffing and education in for-profit vs. not-for-profit hospitals.

Much attention has been paid to evaluating the policy effects of pension programs, but few studies have focused on possible inefficiencies stemming from their implementation. Drawing on a quasi-natural experiment associated with the adoption of China's New Rural Pension Scheme (NRPS), this study explores the impact of the NRPS on food consumption among rural residents. A difference-in-differences (DID) analysis is performed using panel data from the 2009 and 2013 National Rural Fixed Observation survey. Results show that participation in the NRPS improves residents' dietary quality by increasing the consumption of recommended foods and decreasing the consumption of non-recommended foods. However, the results also show that the NRPS is associated with increased consumption of addictive and unhealthy products, especially in households with lower average levels of education, poorer self-reported health, and older adults over age 60. Findings suggest that when examining the possible health effects of new pension policies, it is essential to account for potential increases in the intake of unhealthy and addictive products, such as cigarettes and alcohol.

Recent research has challenged the notion that dementia is an inevitable outcome of age-related cognitive decline, highlighting the possibility of preventing or delaying onset by addressing specific risk factors. This paradigm shift suggests that prevention through lifestyle modifications and early interventions is possible, potentially averting millions of cases worldwide. This study explores the translation of scientific evidence on dementia prevention into public health policy in Switzerland. Combining the analysis of official policy documents and qualitative interviews with stakeholders, the study explores potential barriers and challenges to implementing preventive intervenions or programs, as well as opportunities for improvement. Results indicate a significant gap in incorporating emerging scientific evidence on dementia prevention into health policies and disseminating information to the public in Switzerland. This study underscores the need for a collaborative and coordinated approach to address these barriers and effectively translate scientific findings into preventive policies and campaigns. These insights can inform policy and targeted programs in Switzerland both at the federal and the cantonal level, eventually serving as a model for other countries seeking to translate evidence-based dementia prevention strategies into public health policies. By bridging the gap between research and policy, significant progress can be made in preventing or delaying the onset of dementia, providing significant benefits to individuals, families, and society.

China has implemented national essential public health services (NEPHS) to strengthen its primary health care system. These services are continuously adjusted in accordance with factors such as public health service requirements. Previous research has indicated significant variability in the prevalence and patterns of multimorbidity. This study utilizes the Electronic Health Records in 2021 (N = 4,045,684) to describe the prevalence of major chronic diseases and explore common patterns of multimorbidity among older adults in Zhejiang, China. Results show that the prevalence of multimorbidity was 36.04%, with the most common pattern of multimorbidity being hypertension and dyslipidemia (12.66%), followed by hypertension and diabetes (5.46%), and hypertension, dyslipidemia, and diabetes (3.95%). The NEPHS should consider embracing the strategic management framework of the Guided Care Model, shifting the focus from a purely disease-oriented to a more holistic patient-oriented model.

The decades-long one-child policy in China has led to a growing number of older individuals with only one child. The Elderly Family Planning Subsidy (EFPS) policy was introduced to provide extra financial support to this group and was expanded nationwide in 2012. This study investigated the relationship between EFPS use and health among EFPS-eligible older Chinese using data from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study. A total of 1,981 respondents were eligible for EFPS (i.e. aged 60 and above, had only one child, or were rural residents with two daughters). Respondents self-reported if they received EFPS in 2011, 2013, and 2015 and were followed up to 2018. Propensity score matching was used to match EFPS non-users with users based on their probability of using EFPS. Among the EFPS-eligible respondents, 256 (12.92%) used the benefit. Analysis revealed no significant differences between EFPS users and non-users with respect to mortality and other health outcomes (i.e. self-reported health, cognition, activities of daily living, chronic diseases, and depressive symptoms). Findings do not provide evidence that EFPS improved the short-term health of older Chinese with only one child.

Despite rapid population aging, the situation of older adults in Ethiopia has received limited attention from policymakers, leaving older adults with little to no social protection. To understand the impact of the lack of a basic income benefit, this study explored the perspectives of retired pensioners on late life precarity in Addis Ababa. An exploratory descriptive study using interviews and focus group discussions was conducted with 31 retirees age 60 + . Data were analyzed thematically. The findings highlight five major life challenges of retirees leading to precarious lives in Ethiopia: unattended health issues and unaffordable health care; absence of recreational places; lack of respect and feeling disengaged; vulnerable livelihoods; and overlooked value and contribution of older adults. The findings underscore the need to employ intersectional perspectives in future studies for better understanding of inequality and inequity in aging in resource-poor contexts. Furthermore, the findings underline the need for national policies aimed at improving the well-being and quality of life of both retirees and all older adults. By implementing a social protection policy, creating elder-focused community centers, and implementing sustainable income-generating initiatives, Ethiopia can ensure that older citizens receive the necessary support needed to thrive and enjoy a fulfilling late life.

India's urban population is rapidly aging. By 2050, nearly 25% of India's population will be aged 60 and above, forcing cities to adapt their infrastructures and policies. This study examines how older citizens' healthcare, social security, and employment policy preferences differ between Kolkata, a city with rich historical significance and evolving infrastructure, and Chennai, a rapidly urbanizing city with expanding public services. Data from 914 respondents were analyzed using hierarchical modeling, indicating that older adults in Chennai support welfare and healthcare policies more than their counterparts in Kolkata. These findings provide actionable insights for policymakers to tailor city-specific interventions for aging populations in India.

Living arrangements of older people significantly impact their lives and well-being, but no studies to date have examined future changes among older adults in living arrangements in Middle Eastern Asia. This study employs the ProFamy method to project future changes in the living arrangements among older adults aged 65 years and older in Iran during 2016-2051. The results reveal substantial shifts in the living arrangements of older adults. Older households are expected to triple by 2051, especially among those aged 80 years and older. Moreover, over three million older adults are projected to live alone, including about 1.2 million aged 80+. Households comprising older couples with no co-residing kids are projected to triple as well. These trends call for proactive planning and policymaking in Iran, emphasizing the importance of developing a robust medical system, suitable housing, long-term care provision, family caregiver support, and public initiatives promoting active aging.