Who Moves In Matters: Move-in Patterns, Household Headship, & Financial Strain Among Latino Adult Child Caregivers

TL;DR

This study explores how different ways families move in together affect financial strain on caregivers, especially among Mexican-American families.

Contribution

The paper introduces new insights into how move-in scenarios and household structure influence financial strain among Latino caregivers.

Findings

Caregivers who move in to provide care experience higher financial strain (22.2%) compared to other scenarios.

Homeownership significantly increases financial strain (35.7%) for caregivers moving into parent-owned homes.

Caregiving intensity is higher when move-in is motivated by caregiving (8.0-8.1 hours/day) compared to other reasons.

Abstract

While research shows increasing prevalence of multigenerational households, we know little about how different pathways to co-residence affect caregiver well-being. Using the Hispanic Established Populations for the Epidemiologic Study of the Elderly (2010-11), we examine how move-in scenarios and household structure influence financial strain among 659 Mexican-American adult child caregivers and their older parents (80+). Preliminary findings show that financial strain varies by move-in scenario. Adult children who moved in with their parent to provide care experience the highest rates of financial strain (22.2%), followed by adult children whose parents moved in with them for care (19.4%). Homeownership is a key predictor, with financial strain reaching 35.7% among caregivers who moved into a parent-owned home to provide care. Parents with dementia are more likely to move in with their adult children (64.5% vs. 44.4% when children move in), suggesting cognitive decline drives household restructuring. Among adult children who moved in to provide care, only 14.8% are household heads, compared to 57.1% of those who moved in for general reasons. This housing transition correlates with increased caregiving intensity (8.0-8.1 ADL/IADL hours per day) vs. 2.6-3.4 hours for caregivers who moved in for their own housing needs, and 6.2-6.3 hours for caregivers who co-reside without discerning move-in reasons.These findings highlight the need for policies that consider both direction and motivation for household moves when targeting support for caregiving families. Future research incorporating American Community Survey data will examine broader patterns of caregiving-related mobility and how these patterns compare across other populations.