Physical Functioning before, during and after First Stroke Onset: Do Children’s Characteristics Matter?

Esther M. Friedman, Harvard University
Benjamin D. Capistrant, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

This paper examines whether children’s characteristics predict declines in physical functioning for older individuals who remain stroke free to those for individuals who experienced stroke. We used data from the 1998–2010 Health and Retirement Study to compare self-reported independence in Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADLs) among those who remained stroke free; those who survived a stroke; and those who had a stroke and did not survive. Preliminary findings show that having daughters and highly-educated children – characteristics generally associated with better health and more care – were predictive of faster declines in IADL functioning after a stroke, especially for men. These findings may suggest that after a stroke or other health event, some children may provide too much help thereby impeding independent functioning of older parents. This paper highlights a potential negative side to caregiving that is often overlooked in the literature.