Informal Long-Term Care>

Relatively few people need substantial amounts of long-term care, particularly during the early years of retirement (Health Policy Institute 2003). However, some people, especially the very old and those with dementia, may require care for several years. Most long-term care is provided by family members, especially by spouses and children. With a decrease in the percentage of people aged 55–64 who are married (see chart 2c), there may be a heavier reliance on adult children as caregivers in the future.

Chart 9a. Percentage of people aged 55–64 with living children, by educational attainment, 1994 and 2004
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Source: Health and Retirement Study.

• The percentage of people aged 55–64 with living children varies by educational attainment. In 1994, the percentage of people with living children varied from 91 percent among people with less than a high school education to 85 percent for people with a college degree. In 2004, the percentage of people aged 55–64 with living children varied from 96 percent among people with less than a high school education to 87 percent for people with a college degree.

Chart 9b. Percentage of people aged 55–64 with living children, by race and Hispanic origin, 1994 and 2004

Source: Health and Retirement Study.

• Between 1994 and 2004, the percentage of people aged 55–64 with living children increased from 90 percent to 92 percent for non-Hispanic whites, from 87 percent to 93 percent for non-Hispanic blacks, and from 88 percent to 95 percent for Hispanics.