Living arrangements and family support for the elderly in India : emerging trends

Abstract

The choice of a living arrangement - as an independent household, together with adult children or other related or unrelated persons, or in an institution - strongly influences the psychic and economic well-being of an elderly person. But it also affects the non-elderly because, if most of the elderly choose to stay independent, housing becomes relatively more scarce and there would be a growing need for social support services. The choice of a living arrangement has many implications for the well-being of an elderly person. Changes in living arrangement are likely to be associated with changes in the level of care and assistance received by the elderly. Living together with other family members eases situations of illness while living alone makes coping with illnesses harder. In addition, feeling isolated or left alone may induce illnesses ( Barsch - Supan, 1995).