Explain The Family Paradox Of Older Adults Living Alone

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Some family members live alone and some family members co-reside with a relative like an adult child. Many factors lead to this decision and vary between middle-aged and older adults. Co-residence of elderly parents and their adult children is a form of intergenerational relation that is common around the world. There are many contributing factors that affect why middle-aged and older adults live alone or co-reside. This paper will identify, analyze and address the family paradox of living alone or family co-residence among middle aged and older adults and address the underlying causes for why this paradox perseveres within families as they age. Around the world there are increasing numbers of older adults and middle-aged adults living alone. …show more content…

& Lee, C. D., 2004). Despite the increased risks of living alone, older adults who previously lived alone were more likely than those who co-resided to have better functioning. Older adults also now tend to live farther away from their adult children, making it more difficult to co-reside. Many older adults do not want to move out of their homes, away from their social circles, or out of their towns, so when their child moves away and they can no longer live alone, older adults and their adult children have to figure out living arrangements. According to previous research women are more likely than men to live alone as they age (Velkoff, p.1). After a divorce or death of a spouse, men are more likely to get remarried or cohabitate with their significant other or family member. There is also the concept of ‘aging in place’. For older adults, ‘aging in place’ might mean growing old and staying in a location of their choosing and having support that makes sure that their housing is okay for them to live in, while also giving them their independence and social contact (Koopman-Boyden & Moosa, 2014). Many older adults still want their autonomy and some believe that co-residing …show more content…

Older adults who live alone tend to participate more in community social events and use social networking to keep in more constant contact with others. Previous research suggests that older adults who live alone may not be completely satisfied with aging or living alone, but they still feel like their life is meaningful (Koopman-Boyden & Moosa, 2014). Many older adults believe that living alone gave them freedom and provided them with the motivation to do what they wanted and many prefer it this

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