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. 2021 Dec 8;16(12):e0261078.
doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0261078. eCollection 2021.

Physical and psychological health at adolescence and home care use later in life

Govert E Bijwaard  1 , Rob Alessie  2 , Viola Angelini  2 , L H Lumey  3
Affiliations

Physical and psychological health at adolescence and home care use later in life

Govert E Bijwaard et al. PLoS One. .

Abstract

Objectives: To examine the relation between physical and psychological health indicators at adolescence (age 18) and household, personal, and nursing home care use later in life at ages 57-69 years.

Methods: Using medical examinations on men born in 1944-1947 who were evaluated for military service at age 18 in the Netherlands, we link physical and psychological health assessments to national administrative microdata on the use of home care services at ages 57-69 years. We postulate a panel probit model for home care use over these years. In the analyses, we account for selective survival through correlated panel probit models.

Results: Poor mental health and being overweight at age 18 are important predictors of later life home care use. Home care use at ages 57-69 years is also highly related to and interacts with father's socioeconomic status and recruits' education at age 18.

Discussion: Specific health characteristics identified at age 18 are highly related to the later utilization of home-care at age 57-69 years. Some characteristics may be amenable to early life health interventions to decrease the future costs of long-term home care.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

Figures

Fig 1
Fig 1. Flowchart.
Fig 2
Fig 2. Development of home care use 2004–2013.
Fig 3
Fig 3. Mortality by home care use in each year.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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