The contribution of alternative types of care on life satisfaction among disabled older persons in China

Abstract

Abstract Long-term care given to disabled older adults takes many forms, with each impacting life satisfaction through different ways. Drawing data from the 2011–2018 China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Survey, this article explores the effects of various care types on life satisfaction, with a particular focus on disabled older persons. Estimates derived from a fixed effects model with propensity score matching show that compared with formal care, informal care has significant positive effects on life satisfaction for disabled older adults. In addition, informal care has its greatest positive effect on life satisfaction on those who are mildly disabled, men and rural residents compared to their counterparts, while formal care addresses the needs of individuals with severe disability. We find that the main channels of effect occur through reduced loneliness and unhappiness, increased participation in social activities and improved physical health. This work contributes to the existing literature by demonstrating how various care types affect life satisfaction in China where filial piety, the central pillar of the Confucian ethics, is one of the common shared values among residents. These findings highlight the benefits derived from policies that promote and support the provision of informal care for older individuals. Moreover, there is a pressing need to buttress the formal care provision as a supplement to support severely disabled older adults in China.