Better alone? The impact of living arrangements on mortality of Costa Rican older adults / Melhor sozinho? O impacto de arranjos domiciliares na mortalidade de idosos costarriquenhos / ¿Mejor solo? El impacto de los arreglos de vivienda en la mortalidad de las personas adultas mayores costarricenses

Abstract Previous research has shown differentiated effects of living arrangement types on mortality. However, little is known about this phenomenon in Latin America and its multigenerational households. This study measures the relationship between older adults' living arrangement types and subsequent mortality. Gompertz event history models were performed to estimate mortality differences across living arrangements. We used the Costa Rica Longevity and Aging Study (CRELES) pre-1945 cohort in the 2005, 2007, and 2009 waves. The results show that older adults who live with a partner have the highest survival rates among the categories tested. When controlling for sex and age in the model, the effect of living alone is not different from partnered living. When controlling for socioeconomic and health factors as well, older adults living with their children or others show an increased risk of death by at least 40% (p-value<0.05). The study demonstrates an association between living arrangements and older adult mortality in Costa Rica. Results show that the highest survival chances rely on being partnered and suggest that support exchanges with other family members are not equally effective. Including this variable type in mortality studies is crucial to better understanding how household conditions relate to health and mortality outcomes.

Resumo Pesquisas anteriores mostraram efeitos diferenciados dos tipos de arranjos residenciais sobre a mortalidade. Entretanto, pouco se sabe sobre os fenômenos na América Latina e suas residências multigeracionais. Este estudo aborda a relação entre os tipos de arranjos residenciais de idosos e a mortalidade subsequente. A análise de sobrevivência foi realizada por meio do modelo Gompertz, estimando as diferenças de mortalidade entre os diferentes arranjos domiciliares. Foi utilizado o Estudo da Longevidade e Envelhecimento da Costa Rica (CRELES) pré-1945, de 2005, 2007 e 2009. Os resultados mostram que os idosos que vivem com companheiro apresentam as maiores taxas de sobrevivência entre as categorias testadas. Ao controlar por sexo e idade no modelo, o efeito de morar sozinho não é diferente de morar com companheiro. Se os fatores socioeconômicos e de saúde forem controlados, os idosos que vivem com seus filhos ou outras pessoas possuem um risco aumentado de morte em pelo menos 40% (p-valor <0,05). O estudo demonstra que existe uma associação entre os arranjos domiciliares e a mortalidade de idosos na Costa Rica. Os resultados mostram que as maiores chances de sobrevivência estão entre os idosos que possuem um parceiro, sugerindo que os cuidados providos por membros da família não são igualmente efetivos. A inclusão desse tipo de variável nos estudos de mortalidade é crucial para entender como as condições domiciliares se relacionam com os resultados de saúde e mortalidade.

Resumen La literatura anterior a este artículo ha mostrado efectos diferenciados de los tipos de arreglos de vivienda en la mortalidad. Sin embargo, poco se sabe sobre el fenómeno en Latinoamérica y sus viviendas multigeneracionales. Este estudio mide la relación entre los tipos de arreglos de vivienda de las personas adultas mayores y la subsecuente mortalidad. Modelos de historia de eventos Gompertz se hicieron para estimar las diferencias de mortalidad entre los arreglos de vivienda. Se utilizó el Estudio de Longevidad y Envejecimiento Saludable (CRELES) en la cohorte pre-1945 y las rondas 2005, 2007 y 2009. Los resultados muestran que las personas adultas mayores que viven con una pareja tienen las mayores tasas de sobrevivencia entre las categorías comparadas. Al controlar por sexo y edad en el modelo, el efecto de vivir solo no es diferente del de estar emparejado. Si también se controlan los factores socioeconómicos y de salud, los las personas adultas mayores que viven con hijos o hijas o con otros muestran un riesgo de muerte al menos 40 % mayor (p-valor <0,05). El estudio demuestra que existe una relación entre los arreglos de vivienda y la mortalidad de las personas adultas mayores en Costa Rica. Los resultados muestran que las mayores probabilidades de supervivencia recaen en estar emparejado y sugieren que los intercambios de apoyo con otros miembros de la familia no son igualmente efectivos. La inclusión de este tipo de variables en los estudios de mortalidad es crucial para entender cómo se relacionan las condiciones de vivienda con los resultados de salud y mortalidad.

Coresidence increases the risk of testing positive for COVID-19 among older Brazilians.

BACKGROUND: Brazil is among the countries hit hardest by COVID-19, and older adults are among the vulnerable groups. Intergenerational coresidence and interdependence among family members, both prevalent in Brazil, likely increase social and physical contact and thus potential infection. METHODS: Using nationally representative data from the COVID-19 module of the Brazilian National Household Sample Survey (Pesquisa Nacional por Amostra de Domicílios), collected between July and November of 2020, we examined the association between living arrangements and exposure to and testing for COVID-19 among 63,816 Brazilians aged 60 years and older. We examine whether living arrangements influence self-reported COVID-19 symptoms as an indicator of subjective health assessment, testing as an indicator of health care service use, and a positive COVID-19 test result as an objective indicator of exposure to the disease. RESULTS: Living arrangements shape older adults' vulnerabilities to COVID-19 exposure and testing. Specifically, those living alone were more likely to report having symptoms and having had a test for COVID-19. However, older adults in multigenerational and skipped generation households were more likely than solo-dwellers to test positive for COVID-19. Those with symptoms were more likely to test, regardless of their living arrangement. Among older adults without symptoms, those living alone had a higher probability of testing than those living in multigenerational or skipped-generation households. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, our findings suggest that coresidence with younger family members puts older adults' health at risk in the context of COVID-19. As younger Brazilians are increasingly vulnerable to COVID-19 and experiencing severe outcomes, policy makers need to be more attentive to the health needs of households that comprise older and younger cohorts, which are also more prevalent in poor and marginalized segments of the population.

Uma análise espacial dos arranjos domiciliares da Região Metropolitana de São Paulo (1991-2010) / Living arrangement spatial analysis of São Paulo's Metropolitan Area (1991-2010) / Un análisis espacial de los tipos de hogares en la Región Metropolitana de São Paulo (1991-2010)

As mudanças no comportamento das componentes demográficas e no padrão da nupcialidade estão diretamente associadas às transformações da estrutura e da composição das famílias e domicílios. Apesar desta forte relação, a distribuição espacial dos arranjos domiciliares se insere em um contexto multifacetado da dinâmica intraurbana que reflete a complexa estrutura social das metrópoles. A formação dos domicílios e a sua localização no território são dadas pelas necessidades e preferências dos arranjos domiciliares, dentro de uma estrutura de oportunidades. Utilizando a distribuição etária da população conforme os diferentes tipos de arranjos domiciliares e agrupamentos espaciais (análise de clusters), o trabalho tem como objetivo analisar as principais mudanças de tendências dos arranjos domiciliares da Região Metropolitana de São Paulo (RMSP) e a sua organização espacial nesse espaço metropolitano, com base em dados dos Censos Demográficos de 1991 a 2010. Os resultados sugerem que, apesar de a distribuição dos arranjos domiciliares para o total da população não apresentar mudanças radicais nas últimas décadas, importantes alterações ocorreram no nível da distribuição etária e na composição das áreas centrais e periféricas da RMSP, segundo a tipologia de arranjos domiciliares.

Both demographic component and nuptiality pattern changes are associated to changes in family and household structure and composition. However, the spatial distribution of different living arrangements in the metropolitan region depends not only on demographic issues, but also on a complex context of intra-urban dynamics that reflects huge social inequities. Using Cluster Analysis and population age distribution in different living arrangements, this work aims to identify the main trend changes and their respective spatial organization in São Paulo's Metropolitan Region (SPMR) based on 1991 to 2010 Demographic Census data. The results suggest that, although the living arrangement distribution for the total population has not shown radical changes in recent decades, important changes occur in age distribution level and in SPMR's central and peripheral region compositions according to typology of living arrangements.

Los factores del cambio demográfico y la nupcialidad están directamente asociados con cambios en la estructura y composición de las familias y los hogares. Sin embargo, a pesar de la fuerte relación entre los factores demográficos y la formación y disolución de hogares, la distribución espacial de los hogares forma parte de un contexto más amplio y complejo de dinámica intraurbana. La formación de los hogares y su ubicación en el territorio están dados por las nececidades y preferencias de los arreglos familiares. Mediante el análisis de la distribución por edades de la población según tipo de hogar y el análisis de agrupaciones espaciales, este trabajo analiza la tendencia de crecimiento de los diferentes tipos de hogares en la Región Metropolitana de San Pablo (RMSP) con base en datos de los censos demográficos de 1991 a 2010 e identifica la organización espacial de los arreglos familiares en este espacio metropolitano. Los resultados sugieren que se producen cambios importantes en el nivel de distribución por edad y en la composición de acuerdo con la tipología de los hogares en las áreas central y periférica de la RMSP.

Living Arrangements and Supplemental Income Programs for Older Adults in Mexico.

Living arrangements often reflect important quality-of-life indicators for elderly adults. In particular, increased income can prompt changes in household living arrangements for elderly adults. Using a differences-in-differences approach, we examine whether a supplemental income program in Mexico for adults aged 70 and older influenced household size and composition. We compare outcomes at baseline and at six-month follow-up for elderly adults in the treatment group with those in the control group that did not participate in the program. We find that household size increased by 3% in the treatment group relative to the control group. We also find a statistically significant increase in the number of girls aged 6-11 in the household, likely the granddaughters or great-granddaughters of program recipients. Increases in household size were greatest for adults aged 70-79, couples, households receiving two or more supplemental incomes, and households in the top income tercile. Household size did not increase for households of adults aged 80 and older, singles, households with only one supplemental income recipient, and households not in the top income tercile. These results suggest that when older adults have more income, they use part of this income to house their grandchildren.

Just Like in Their Home Country? A Multinational Perspective on Living Arrangements of Older Immigrants in the United States.

Older immigrants are more likely to share residence with their adult children and other family members than are U.S.-born older adults. Because socioeconomic factors only partially explain these differences and direct measures of cultural preferences are seldom available, the persistently high rates of intergenerational coresidence among the older foreign-born are often interpreted as driven by cultural preferences and/or a lack of assimilation. To challenge this interpretation, this study investigates the extent to which older immigrants' living arrangements deviate from those of older adults in their home countries. The analysis combines data on immigrants from the 2008-2012 American Community Survey (ACS) with census data from three major immigrant-sending countries: Mexico, the Dominican Republic, and Vietnam. Despite persistent differences from U.S.-born whites, coresidence in later life is significantly less common than in the sending countries among the older foreign-born who migrated as young adults, and especially among those who migrated as children. The older foreign-born who migrated after age 50, however, are more likely to coreside and less likely to live independently than the older adults in their home countries. The similarity of these patterns across the three immigrant subgroups suggests that the unusually high coresidence among late-life immigrants is driven by U.S. family reunification policy and not simply by cultural influences.

Demography of Living Arrangements Among Oldest-Old Mexican Americans: Evidence From the Hispanic Epidemiologic Study of the Elderly.

OBJECTIVE: In this article, we examine the demographics of living arrangements and household headship status among Mexican-origin individuals aged 85+ years. METHOD: Data come from the Hispanic Established Populations for the Epidemiologic Study of the Elderly (H-EPESE) caregiver and respondent surveys. RESULTS: Finances of the elderly individual and their caregiver inform living arrangement decisions. Physical and cognitive disability differentiate among living arrangements: The most mentally and physically impaired are most likely to live with others and less likely to be the head of the household. DISCUSSION: Motivations for living with others are clearly more complex than simple filial piety considerations might hold. Extended living arrangements provide concrete financial and instrumental benefits for both elderly parents and their adult child caregiver. Future research should address the question of the capacity of the Mexican American family to provide care for elderly parents in the face of major demographic and social changes.

Transitions in Living Arrangements Among Older Mexican Americans.

This study examines the transition from independent living to a coresidential living arrangement across the late life course among older unmarried (i.e., widowed, divorced/separated, and single) Mexican Americans. Using 18 years' worth of panel data from the Hispanic Established Populations for the Epidemiologic Study of the Elderly, event history analyses revealed that age at migration, physical disability, and cognitive impairment were strong predictors of the transition to a coresidential living arrangement. Importantly, a decline in physical and cognitive abilities heightened the risk of transition to a coresidential living arrangement, net of time-variant measures of disability and impairment. These findings provide evidence for incorporating a dynamic approach to examining living arrangements across the late life course for Mexican-origin Hispanics living in the United States, with implications for policy and service providers.

The impacts of rapid demographic transition on family structure and income inequality in Brazil, 1981-2011.

This study analysed the impact of changing family structure on income distribution. Specifically, it analysed how changes in the proportions of different categories of family in the population contributed to increases in the income of the richest and poorest social strata in Brazil, and the consequent impacts on income inequality. Rural and urban families were compared in order to understand how these dynamics had different impacts on more developed (urban) and less developed (rural) areas. The results emphasize how changes observed in family structure are more pronounced among the richest families, contributing to an increase in (i) the income of the richest families and (ii) income inequality between the richest and poorest families, as well as between urban and rural areas.

Immigration and the Family Circumstances of Mexican-Origin Children: A Binational Longitudinal Analysis.

Using data from the birth cohort of the Early Childhood Longitudinal Study (n = 1,200) and the Mexican Family Life Survey (n = 1,013), this study investigated the living arrangements of Mexican-origin preschool children. The analysis examined children's family circumstances in both sending and receiving countries, used longitudinal data to capture family transitions, and considered the intersection between nuclear and extended family structures. Between ages 0-1 and 4-5, Mexican children of immigrants experienced significantly more family instability than children in Mexico. They were more likely to transition from 2-parent to single-parent families and from extended family households to simple households. There were fewer differences between U.S. children with immigrant versus native parents, but the higher level of single parenthood among children of natives at ages 0-1 and the greater share making transitions from a 2-parent to a single-parent family suggest ongoing erosion of children's family support across generations in the United States.

Fatores associados a morar sozinho e suas diferenças regionais em idosos residentes de Porto Alegre e Manaus / Factors associated with living alone and its regional differences in elderly people residing in Porto Alegre and Manaus

Objetivos: verificar se características sociodemográficas, estilo de vida e estado da saúde estão associados ao fato de o idoso morar sozinho, analisando amostras populacionais de duas capitais brasileiras de regiões distintas, Porto Alegre e Manaus, e as possíveis diferenças entre seus residentes. Metodologia: fora realizada análise secundária de dados de dois estudos transversais com base populacional – realizados nas cidades citadas, em 2006 – que utilizaram idênticas metodologias e instrumentos de pesquisa. Modelos de regressão logística utilizaram a variável dependente morar sozinho, dicotômica. A amostra total foi de 1547 idosos (com idade igual ou superior a 60 anos) de ambos os sexos: 1078 em Porto Alegre e 469 em Manaus; 291 idosos moravam sozinhos (Manaus 39, Porto Alegre 252). Resultados: fatores significativamente relacionados com a chance maior de morar sozinho foram: ser mulher, ter renda individual de dois ou mais salários mínimos, ter menor número de filhos e receber ajuda para “habitação”. A idade da aposentadoria foi fator preditor significativo somente em idosos de Porto Alegre, enquanto a escolaridade foi significativa somente para Manaus. Estado de saúde, autopercepção de saúde e prevalência de comorbidades não foram fatores significativos para morar sozinho nas duas cidades. Conclusões: fatores socioeconômicos são preditores importantes para o idoso residir sozinho. Contrário ao que se supunha, ter pior estado de saúde não foi importante. Observamos mais idosos morando sozinhos em Porto Alegre, sendo estes influenciados por terem se aposentado com maior idade. Já em Manaus, ser alfabetizado foi um fato significante para morar sozinho.(AU)

Objectives: To verify whether if socio-demographic characteristics, lifestyle and health status contribute to the status of living alone in population samples from two distinct Brazilian capitals, Porto Alegre and Manaus, and the possible differences between its residents. Methods: We performed a secondary analysis of comparative data from two cross-sectional population-based studies, conducted in the cities of Porto Alegre and Manaus, in 2006, that used identical methodologies and research tools. Logistic regression models used living alone as dichotomous dependent variable. The total sample was 1547 elderly ( 60 years old) of both sexes: 1078 in Porto Alegre and 469 in Manaus. There were 291 elderly living alone (Manaus 39, Porto Alegre 252). Results: Factors significantly associated with greater chance of living alone were: being female, having individual income of two or more minimum wages, fewer children and receiving help for “housing”. The retiring age was a significant predictor only in the elderly of Porto Alegre, while scholarity was significant only for the city of Manaus. Health status, self-assessment of health and comorbidities were not significant predictors of living alone in both cities. Conclusions: socioeconomic factors are important predictors of living along among elderly. Contrary to popular belief, having poor health status was not an important factor. We observed a higher frequency of elderly living alone in Porto Alegre, city were retiring at older age was a significant predictor. Being literate was a significant predictor for elderly living alone only in Manaus.(AU)

Fatores associados a morar sozinho e suas diferenças regionais em idosos residentes de Porto Alegre e Manaus / Factors associated with living alone and its regional differences in elderly people residing in Porto Alegre and Manaus

Objetivos: verificar se características sociodemográficas, estilo de vida e estado da saúde estão associados ao fato de o idoso morar sozinho, analisando amostras populacionais de duas capitais brasileiras de regiões distintas, Porto Alegre e Manaus, e as possíveis diferenças entre seus residentes. Metodologia: fora realizada análise secundária de dados de dois estudos transversais com base populacional – realizados nas cidades citadas, em 2006 – que utilizaram idênticas metodologias e instrumentos de pesquisa. Modelos de regressão logística utilizaram a variável dependente morar sozinho, dicotômica. A amostra total foi de 1547 idosos (com idade igual ou superior a 60 anos) de ambos os sexos: 1078 em Porto Alegre e 469 em Manaus; 291 idosos moravam sozinhos (Manaus 39, Porto Alegre 252). Resultados: fatores significativamente relacionados com a chance maior de morar sozinho foram: ser mulher, ter renda individual de dois ou mais salários mínimos, ter menor número de filhos e receber ajuda para “habitação”. A idade da aposentadoria foi fator preditor significativo somente em idosos de Porto Alegre, enquanto a escolaridade foi significativa somente para Manaus. Estado de saúde, autopercepção de saúde e prevalência de comorbidades não foram fatores significativos para morar sozinho nas duas cidades. Conclusões: fatores socioeconômicos são preditores importantes para o idoso residir sozinho. Contrário ao que se supunha, ter pior estado de saúde não foi importante. Observamos mais idosos morando sozinhos em Porto Alegre, sendo estes influenciados por terem se aposentado com maior idade. Já em Manaus, ser alfabetizado foi um fato significante para morar sozinho.

Objectives: To verify whether if socio-demographic characteristics, lifestyle and health status contribute to the status of living alone in population samples from two distinct Brazilian capitals, Porto Alegre and Manaus, and the possible differences between its residents. Methods: We performed a secondary analysis of comparative data from two cross-sectional population-based studies, conducted in the cities of Porto Alegre and Manaus, in 2006, that used identical methodologies and research tools. Logistic regression models used living alone as dichotomous dependent variable. The total sample was 1547 elderly ( 60 years old) of both sexes: 1078 in Porto Alegre and 469 in Manaus. There were 291 elderly living alone (Manaus 39, Porto Alegre 252). Results: Factors significantly associated with greater chance of living alone were: being female, having individual income of two or more minimum wages, fewer children and receiving help for “housing”. The retiring age was a significant predictor only in the elderly of Porto Alegre, while scholarity was significant only for the city of Manaus. Health status, self-assessment of health and comorbidities were not significant predictors of living alone in both cities. Conclusions: socioeconomic factors are important predictors of living along among elderly. Contrary to popular belief, having poor health status was not an important factor. We observed a higher frequency of elderly living alone in Porto Alegre, city were retiring at older age was a significant predictor. Being literate was a significant predictor for elderly living alone only in Manaus.

A relação entre renda e composição domiciliar dos idosos no Brasil: um estudo sobre o impacto do recebimento do Benefício de Prestação Continuada / The relationship between income and living arrangements of elderly persons in Brazil: the impact of the Continuous Cash Benefit Transfer Program (BPC) / La relación entre ingresos y composición domiciliaria de los ancianos en Brasil: un estudio sobre el impacto de la recepción del Beneficio de Prestación Continuada

Este trabalho analisa o impacto do recebimento do Benefício de Prestação Continuada (BPC) sobre a composição dos arranjos domiciliares dos idosos pobres no Brasil. O BPC corresponde ao benefício mensal no valor de um salário mínimo (SM) destinado a idosos acima de 65 anos, cuja renda familiar per capita seja inferior a » de SM. Essa discussão é bastante oportuna no atual contexto brasileiro, que vem sendo marcado por um acelerado envelhecimento populacional, por profundas mudanças nos arranjos domiciliares e pela ampla cobertura de seguridade social do idoso. Utilizando o método estatístico da "diferença em diferença" e os dados da PNAD de 2002 e 2004, são investigadas duas hipóteses discutidas na literatura sobre o tema: o recebimento de uma transferência incondicional de renda elevaria a probabilidade de os idosos viverem sozinhos, em função da autonomia conferida pela renda, ou aumentaria a probabilidade da corresidência com familiares devido à atração exercida pela renda. O resultado sugere a hipótese de que o recebimento do BPC, no Brasil, tem aumentado a probabilidade de formação de domicílios unipessoais.

This paper analyzes the impact of income for the elderly from the Continuous Cash Benefit Transfer Program (BPC) on the living arrangements of elderly poor persons. This benefit consists of income received monthly, equivalent to one minimum wage, by elderly persons over age 65 whose monthly per capita family income is below one-fourth of the minimum wage. This discussion is relevant in the current Brazilian context, which has been marked by rapid population aging, broad changes in living arrangements and an expansion of social security benefits for the elderly. Two hypothesis discussed in the literature were investigated, using the difference-in-difference statistical method and based on data from the 2002 and 2004 PNADs. It was seen that this unconditional income transfer would either (i) increase the probability of the elderly persons involved to live independently, or (ii) increase the probability of co-residence with family due to the attraction exerted by this additional income. The results obtained show that the receiving of the BPC income increases the probability that beneficiaries will tend to seek independents living arrangements.

Este trabajo analiza el impacto de la recepción del Beneficio de Prestación Continuada (BPC) sobre la composición de los arreglos domiciliarios de los ancianos pobres en Brasil. El BPC corresponde al beneficio mensual de un salario mínimo (SM) destinado a personas con más de 65 años, cuyos ingresos familiares per capita sean inferiores a » del SM. Esta discusión es bastante oportuna en el actual contexto brasileño, marcado por un acelerado envejecimiento poblacional, por profundos cambios en los arreglos domiciliarios y por la amplia cobertura de seguridad social del anciano. Utilizando el método estadístico de la "diferencia en diferencia" y los datos del PNAD de 2002 y 2004, se investigan dos hipótesis discutidas en la literatura sobre el tema: la recepción de una transferencia incondicional de renta elevaría la probabilidad de que los ancianos vivieran solos, en función de la autonomía otorgada por los ingresos, o aumentaría la probabilidad de la co-residencia con familiares debido a la atracción ejercida por la renta. El resultado sugiere la hipótesis de que la recepción del BPC, en Brasil, ha aumentado la probabilidad de formación de domicilios unipersonales.

Envelhecimento, funcionalidade e arranjos domiciliares na América Latina e Caribe / Aging, functionality and household arrangements in Latin America and the Caribbean

O envelhecimento é um fenômeno mundial que assume características peculiares nos países em desenvolvimento em especial na América Latina e Caribe onde vem ocorrendo rápida e diferenciadamente em um contexto de profundas transformações sociais. A elevada prevalência de múltiplas doenças crônicas e suas sequelas incapacitantes entre os idosos é um desafio para os sistemas de saúde dos diferentes países. Essas condições geralmente não fatais são, na maioria das vezes, as geradoras do denominado processo incapacitante que afeta o desempenho dos idosos nas suas atividades cotidianas, gerando situações de dependência. O grau de dependência pode variar de nenhum a total e o intervalo entre os extremos é representado pelos idosos parcialmente dependentes. Nessas circunstâncias tais pessoas necessitarão do auxílio de outras ou de uma reorganização de seu contexto familiar com a finalidade de suprir suas demandas. Geralmente esse papel cabe às famílias. Esse estudo teve por objetivo traçar o perfil de suporte familiar fornecido aos idosos segundo seu nível de funcionalidade a partir da base de dados dos sete países envolvidos no Estudo SABE (Saúde, bem-estar e envelhecimento na América Latina e Caribe) - Argentina, Barbados, Brasil, Cuba, Chile, México e Uruguai. Os dados desse estudo foram coletados através de um questionário padronizado simultaneamente aplicado nos países envolvidos. Foram utilizadas amostras probabilística e intencional, essa para complementação da amostra de pessoas com 75 anos e mais. O desempenho funcional do idoso foi medido por sua capacidade de executar as atividades básicas e instrumentais de vida diária sendo a limitação funcional definida como a necessidade de ajuda para executar pelo menos uma dessas atividades. O suporte familiar correspondia à ajuda fornecida aos idosos pelos diferentes tipos de arranjos familiares que foram agrupados em sete categorias de acordo com a presença ou não de co-residentes e o grau de parentesco entre o idoso e os co-residentes. Verifica-se que cerca de 20% dos idosos nos diferentes países apresentam algum tipo de limitação funcional, progressiva com a idade e mais predominante entre as mulheres. Entre os arranjos domiciliares, os bie trigeracionais mostraram-se mais continentes às demandas dos idosos. No entanto, verifica-se que, em todos os países, o auxílio recebido não supera 55% das necessidades, o que mostra um preocupante retrato de desamparo à população idosa mais vulnerável, o que tende a piorar nos próximos anos em conseqüência do aumento da população idosa e da diminuição da rede de suporte.

Population aging is a worldwide phenomenon, but in Latin America and the Caribbean it has happened rapidly, in a context of profound social changes and differently from what has been observed in developed countries. The high prevalence of multiple chronic diseases, its consequences and resulting disabilities among the elderly challenges the health care system in countries around the world. These chronic conditions are not usually fatal, but they are, very frequently, the cause of the disabilities that will affect the ability of the elderly to perform daily activities, which might make them dependent. The extent to which the elderly are dependent ranges from completely independent to completely dependent, being the interval between these two extremes represented by the partially dependent elderly. These individuals will need either to be supported by caregivers or to reorganize their family settings in order to meet these demands, a role which is often played by their families. The objective of this research is to describe family support for the elderly according to their functional status, using the SABE study (Health, Well-being and Ageing) database, which comprised seven countries, namely Argentina, Barbados, Brazil, Cuba, Chile, Mexico and Uruguay. A standardized questionnaire was used in all countries to collect data for the SABE study database. Probabilistic and intentional samples were used, the latter to obtain the necessary number of 75 year and over participants. Functional status of the elderly was measured by the ability to perform basic and instrumental activities of daily living and functional limitation was defined as the need for help to perform at least one of these activities. Family support corresponded to the help the elderly received from seven categories of living arrangements, which were, in turn, classified according to the presence or absence of co-residents and their ties of kinship with the elderly. It was observed that about 20% of the elderly - in different countries had some kind of functional limitation, which became more severe as age increased and in women. Elderly persons living in two and three generation living arrangements had their demands met more appropriately. Nevertheless, in all countries not more than 55% of their needs were met, which portrays a vulnerable population and a scenario that tends to get worse in the forthcoming years, as the health care system is continually challenged by population ageing.

Household transitions in the migrations of Dominicans and Colombians to New York.

"Using life history survey data, we examined the correlates of change in the composition of Dominican and Colombian immigrant co-residential households [in New York City] at three points in time--prior to migration, just after migration and at the time of the survey. We found that there is considerable heterogeneity in the patterns of household transitions, although the majority of both Dominican and Colombian households at the time of the survey were nuclear family households. Dominican women tended to have made transitions into single-parent households by the time of the survey. Background and migration characteristics influence the pattern of household transitions, but fail to explain the ethnic and gender differences."

Gender, migration and urban development in Costa Rica: the case of Guanacaste.

PIP: Factors fueling urbanization in Guanacaste province, Costa Rica are explored and how the pattern of urban growth reflects gender divisions of labor is considered. Urbanization in Latin America has been due largely to the expansion of economic activities in urban centers, but in Guanacaste, rural employment persists among the poor. Towns in this peripheral province have witnessed no major expansion in urban-based employment opportunities. On the basis of an in-depth survey of urban dwellers in the province's 3 leading towns (Liberia, Canas, and Santa Cruz), an attempt is made to explain Guanacaste's urbanization. The 1st section discusses the migration, urbanization, and economic development in Costa Rica, as well as Guanacaste. The 2nd section provides the findings of the survey of 350 low-income, urban households in Guanacaste, focusing on the households' reported reasons for moving. Section 3 examines household survival strategies in the areas surveyed, paying close attention to gender and age selectivity of short-term out-migration to external labor markets. Section 4 interprets the apparent connection between gender-differentiated labor migration and the dominance of reproductive factors in household decisions to move to urban centers. Section 5 considers the implications of the migration patterns on women, while section 6 discusses the wider implications of the study. The study reveals that in Guanacaste, urbanization is more strongly linked to the reproductive (e.g., housing and welfare) needs of household survival than to productive (employment and income) needs.^ieng