Increased Risks of Needing Long-Term Care Among Older Adults Living With Same-Sex Partners

Bibliographic Data

ID11028271
AuthorsBridget Hiedemann (0000-0002-4655-3829, Bridget Hiedemann is with the Department of Economics, Albers School of Business and Economics, Seattle University, Seattle, WA. Lisa Brodoff is with the School of Law, Seattle University.), Lisa Brodoff (0000-0002-4215-2518, Bridget Hiedemann is with the Department of Economics, Albers School of Business and Economics, Seattle University, Seattle, WA. Lisa Brodoff is with the School of Law, Seattle University.)
Year2013
Volume103
Issue8
Pagese27-e33
Publication date2013-08-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenueAmerican Journal of Public Health (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0090-0036 • E-ISSN: 1541-0048
PublisherAmerican Public Health Association (PUBLISHER • US)
DOI10.2105/ajph.2013.301393
PMID23763396
PMCIDPMC4007874
OpenAlexW2140295698
LanguageEN
Citations received5
References cited34

Objectives. We examined whether older individuals living with same-sex partners face greater risks of needing long-term care than their counterparts living with different-sex partners or spouses. Methods. With data on older couples (at least 1 individual aged 60 years or older) from the 2009 American Community Survey, we estimated logistic regression models of 2 activity limitations that signal a long-term care need: difficulty dressing or bathing and difficulty doing errands alone. Results. When we controlled for age, race/ethnicity, and education, older women who lived with female partners were statistically significantly more likely than those who lived with male partners or spouses to have difficulty dressing or bathing. Older men who lived with male partners were statistically significantly more likely than those who lived with female spouses or partners to need assistance with errands. Conclusions. Older individuals living with same-sex partners face greater risks of needing long-term care than those living with different-sex partners or spouses, but the role of relationship status differs by gender. These findings suggest more broadly that older gay men and lesbians may face greater risks of needing long-term care than their heterosexual counterparts

Environmental health · Long-term care · Psychiatry · Term (time) · Demography · LGBTQ Health, Identity, and Policy · Medicine · Reproductive Health and Technologies · Sexual function and dysfunction studies · Gerontology

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