What determines the preference for future living arrangements of middle-aged and older people in urban China?

• DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0180764
• Publication Date: 2017-07-17T17:41:44Z
• Authors: Dijuan Meng; Guihua Xu; Ling He; Min Zhang; Dan Lin
• Keywords: Chinese people

Living arrangements are important to the elderly. However, it is common for elderly parents in urban China not have a living situation that they consider ideal. An understanding of their preferences assists us responding needs as well anticipating future long-term care demands. The aim this study provide clear and associated factors among middle-aged older people China.Data were extracted from CHARLS 2011-2012 national baseline survey people. In 2011 wave CHARLS, total 17,708 individual participants (10,069 main respondents 7,638 spouses) interviewed; 2509 lived areas. group, 41 who younger than 45 years old 162 had missing data variable "living arrangement preference" excluded. Additionally, 42 excluded because chose "other" (which was choice with no specific answer). Finally, 2264 included our study.The most popular preference close children same community/neighborhoods, followed by adult children. degree community handicapped access, number surviving children, age, marital status, access community-based centers significantly respondents.There trend towards near China. age has positive effect on Considerations should be made housing design development plans fulfill adults' expectations. addition, increasing accessibility public facilities residential area elderly, especially those preferred proximity rather co-residing We found more lower likelihood choosing "institutionalization", positively contributed intergenerational study. As expected, compared married counterparts, separated/divorced/widowed independently. A relatively shorter length residence an indicator independent living; finding might require further research.