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Well‐being right before and after a permanent nursing home admission

Author

Listed:
  • Judith Bom
  • Pieter Bakx
  • Sara Rellstab

Abstract

Permanent nursing home (NH) admissions are a frequent and major life event aimed at maintaining quality of life in old age. Yet, insights into the impact of a NH admission on well‐being are scarce and inconclusive. We evaluate the effect of a NH admission on domains of well‐being among those who are admitted using event study methodology for cross‐sections combined with inverse probability weighting. We apply this doubly robust approach to Dutch survey data on well‐being linked to extensive administrative data on NH admissions, health, and socio‐economic status. We find that a NH admission leads to a temporary increase in loneliness, the risk of anxiety and depression, and a loss of control over one's life. However, these scores revert to pre‐admission levels after 6 months. These findings may contribute to better‐informed individual‐level and policy decisions about potential NH entry and aging in place policies.

Suggested Citation

  • Judith Bom & Pieter Bakx & Sara Rellstab, 2022. "Well‐being right before and after a permanent nursing home admission," Health Economics, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 31(12), pages 2558-2574, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:wly:hlthec:v:31:y:2022:i:12:p:2558-2574
    DOI: 10.1002/hec.4595
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Teo, Hansel, 2023. "The impact of a partner's nursing home admission on individuals' mental well-being," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 327(C).
    2. Chantal Schouwenaar & Pierre Koning & Yvonne Krabbe‐Alkemade & Maarten Lindeboom & France Portrait, 2026. "Long‐Term Care at Advanced Ages: The Effect of Spousal Bereavement on Institutional Care Needs," Health Economics, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 35(1), pages 118-134, January.
    3. Fermina Rojo-Perez & Vicente Rodriguez-Rodriguez & Gloria Fernandez-Mayoralas & Diego Sánchez-González & Carmen Perez de Arenaza Escribano & Jose-Manuel Rojo-Abuin & Maria João Forjaz & María-Ángeles , 2022. "Residential Environment Assessment by Older Adults in Nursing Homes during COVID-19 Outbreak," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(23), pages 1-19, December.
    4. Bassoli, Elena & Lefebvre, Mathieu & Schoenmaeckers, Jérôme, 2025. "Home vs. nursing care: Unpacking the impact on health and well-being," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 385(C).
    5. Bergeot, Julien & Tenand, Marianne, 2023. "Does informal care delay nursing home entry? Evidence from Dutch linked survey and administrative data," Journal of Health Economics, Elsevier, vol. 92(C).

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