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The effect of parental health shocks on living arrangements and employment

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  • Julien Bergeot
  • Irene Ferrari
  • Ya Gao

Abstract

This study investigates the impacts of health shocks among older individuals on the dynamics of their living arrangements in Europe and the United States. Exploiting unpredicted health shocks, we use an event‐study difference‐in‐differences approach to demonstrate that health shocks increase difficulties with activities of daily living and instrumental activities of daily living, thereby increasing the need for care. Our findings indicate that health shocks raise the probability of nursing home residency and co‐residence with adult children by 0.7 and 1.4 percentage points in Europe, and by 2.1 and 1.8 percentage points in the U.S., respectively. Further analyses reveal that more generous long‐term care public policies correlate with a higher probability of nursing home residency and a lower probability of co‐residing with adult children, highlighting the significant role of public policies in household responses to health shocks. Additionally, we find that health shocks negatively impact adult children's labor supply, particularly in the U.S.

Suggested Citation

  • Julien Bergeot & Irene Ferrari & Ya Gao, 2024. "The effect of parental health shocks on living arrangements and employment," Health Economics, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 33(12), pages 2798-2837, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:wly:hlthec:v:33:y:2024:i:12:p:2798-2837
    DOI: 10.1002/hec.4893
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    2. Giacomo Pasini & David Knapp & Marco Angrisani & Sally C. Stearns, 2025. "Evaluating LTC Policies Around the World: A Virtual Special Issue Promoted by the Gateway to Global Aging Data Project," Health Economics, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 34(11), pages 1965-1970, November.
    3. Arielle Cohen Tanugi, 2026. "Is It Over Now? (Giver's Version): Financial Giving, Economic Shocks, and Resilience to Depression in Older Europeans," EconomiX Working Papers 2026-6, University of Paris Nanterre, EconomiX.

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