Impact of Family Care on the Risk of Death Among the Elderly in China: A Longitudinal Study based on CLHLS Data (2002-2014)

Abstract

Objectives: The quality of life of the elderly is important focus of the Chinese government. It is reiterated to to improve the quality of life of the elderly, in order to delay death and provide a healthy aging. Methods: The study retrieved the data from CLHLS (Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey) during 2002—2014 and employed the the Cox Proportional Hazard Models used to study the relationship between different types of family care and the risk of death among the elderly. Results: The study found that elderly people with family care including spousal, sibling and intergenerational care, had a lower risk of death than those without family care, and there was no gender difference or age difference. However, compared with intergenerational care, the spousal and children care had a lower risk of death among the elderly. It was also discovered that family care acted as a kind of social support for those elderly who had have poor daily activities; for whom family support acted as a buffer. Conclusion: Therefore, for the health of the elderly and to build a healthy China, the study recommends to pay more attention to the family care, call for the return of family, and propagate filial piety culture.