Table 1:
Demographic and clinical characteristics of decedents by kin status
| Kinless (N=247) | Has Kin (N=3,597) | P-value | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population estimate | 999,093 | 12,551,949 | |
| Demographic characteristics, % | |||
| Age (mean (SD)) | 78.23 (12.24) | 78.65(11.09) | 0.68 |
| Female | 58.7% | 51.5% | 0.16 |
| White, non-Hispanic | 72.8% | 81.8% | <0.001 |
| Married | 0 | 44.6% | <0.001 |
| Less than high school education | 32.0% | 31.4% | 0.86 |
| Lowest quartile of net worth | 55.2% | 35.8% | <0.001 |
| Enrolled in Medicaid | 30.5% | 21.5% | 0.01 |
| Lives alone | 32.5% | 16.8% | <0.001 |
| Residing in a nursing home | 30.1% | 18.6% | <0.001 |
| Religion rated as not important | 16.7% | 14.2% | 0.38 |
| <1 social visit/week | 42.0% | 55.5% | <0.001 |
| Health and function characteristics, % | |||
| Excellent/very good/good self-reported health | 37.7% | 32.8% | 0.16 |
| Number of ADL impairments: | |||
| 0 | 61.0% | 54.7% | 0.09 |
| 1-2 | 12.1% | 17.2% | |
| 3+ | 27.0% | 28.1% | |
| Number of comorbidities (mean (SD)) | 2.44 (1.49) | 2.81 (1.57) | 0.01 |
| 1+ IADL impairment | 57.0% | 54.9% | 0. 60 |
| Probable dementia | 41.7% | 38.3% | 0.43 |
Data source: Health and Retirement Study, 2002-2015. Estimates adjusted for survey design, sampling approach, and non-response. Kin is defined as having a spouse/partner or child of any type. Abbreviations: HS, high school; NH, nursing home; SR, self-rated; ADL, activities of daily living (includes: eating, dressing, bathing, toileting, walking, transferring); IADL, independent activity of daily living (includes: help with meal preparation, grocery shopping, making phone calls, medications, and money). Measures derived from the last HRS core interview prior to death.