| Description |
Population aging, occurring concurrently with social and economic change, has the potential to dismantle traditional support structures for older adults in the Asia-Pacific region. An example is the traditional system of living with an adult child, which may be threatened by smaller families and more mobile populations. The following study examines the probability that an adult aged 65 and older, living in one of six Asian societies, lives with or near an adult child, and how this fluctuates by number of children, rural/urban residence, and additional covariates that relate to the material and physical needs. Results show positive associations between number of children and proximate residence, but varying results with co-residence. Virtually no association with co-residence is found in China, non-linear associations are found in Cambodia, Philippines, Taiwan, Thailand, and a linear association is found in Singapore. At the same time, rates of co- and near-residence remain high, particularly in rural areas. Findings indicate the importance of considering both near and co-residence when examining proximate living. Conclusions suggest ambiguity with potential decline in support facilitated by changes in living arrangements. While more children increases chances of proximate living, probabilities of living near a child remain high for all, with the possible exception of those with only one living child. |
