Relationship between living arrangements and cognitive impairment among older adults in India: Findings from LASI-2017-18

Objective As a care and support system of older adults, living arrangements are associated with the older adult’s cognitive impairment. Such family arrangements play an important role in the wellbeing of the older adults with clear distinction across living with children and spouse with that of extended kin. The present study explores the association between living arrangements and cognitive impairment among older adults in India. Design Cross sectional study Setting For this study, we used the Longitudinal Ageing Study (LASI-2017-18) data, a nationally representative survey of 31,464 older people aged 60 years and above in India. Bivariate and multivariable regression analysis were performed to fulfil the study objective. Results We find that older women (20.03%) were more vulnerable to cognitive impairment as likelihood reported compared to older men (7.13%) in India. After controlling the variables separately for men and women, we find that cognitive impairment, among men and women, increases when age increases. Living with spouse older men (OR: 12.38) are more likely to be affected with the cognitive impairment than women (OR: 2.44). Further, less educated, difficulties with at least one ADL/IADL older adults have higher chances of getting affected with cognitive impairment. Cognitive impairment increases with decrease wealth that is lower quintile older adults are more likely to be cognitively impaired, especially women are the most affected. Conclusion Living arrangements play a vital role in the well-being of the older adults in India. Older adults who living with others, living with children and lives alone have higher prevalence of cognitive function, especially women are more vulnerable. Study suggests that policy interventions by the government would benefit for the living alone older women.