In-Home Care for Frail Childless Adults Getting By With a Little Help From Their Friends?

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Adult children are crucial sources of care for frail older Americans, but childless adults face limited informal care options. This report examines how the absence of children affects the receipt, amount, and source of care. Controlling for health status, financial resources, and demographic characteristics, the analysis indicates that unmarried frail older adults without children are about 31 percent less likely to receive unpaid help from family and friends than those with two or more adult children. Expanded access to formal home care options may be necessary to ensure that frail childless adults receive the community-based help they need.

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