Living Alone in Later Life: A Global Perspective
Level 4 - case-series / case-control
Cross-sectional comparative demographic analysis of census microdata (by design analogy, not clinical CEBM)
OpenAlex W2802907016 · doi:10.1111/padr.12149
What was done
The authors conducted a global comparative demographic analysis of living arrangements among older adults (aged 60–65 and older), focusing on solitary living. The study analyzed international micro census data from 2010–2011 covering both developed and developing nations to assess the influence of cultural norms, family systems, economic resources, and health changes on residential patterns.
What was found
The abstract reports no numerical values, effect sizes, or proportions. Qualitatively, solitary living among older adults is reported to be more prevalent among women than men aged over 65, higher in developed and individualistic societies than in developing or familistic societies, and primarily driven by personal preference early in older age but increasingly constrained by health declines, chronic illness, and disability toward the end of life.
Why it matters
This work extends research on elder residential patterns beyond high-income nations to provide a global comparative baseline. It highlights how societal aging and institutional versus familial support systems interact to shape living arrangements across diverse cultures.
Limits
The abstract provides no sample size, count of countries examined, or quantitative statistics. Using cross-sectional census microdata limits the ability to follow individual transitions over time, and definitions of households or family assistance may vary across national census datasets.
Cited by
- supports Demographic trends show an increasing proportion of people living alone and having fewer close social contacts.