Why Do Good Times Cause More People to Die?
The Center for Retirement Research points out that when employment goes up, mortality increases disproportionately among the elderly—who are far less likely to be employed or drive long distances—and among older women, in particular. “Deaths among people ages 65 and older accounted for 75 percent of the 6,700 additional deaths,” the paper points out. “Notably, women over 65 alone accounted for 55 percent of the additional deaths.”
Full Suzy Khimm post (Ezra Klein blog).
Could be several factors. One could be that more of the class of people who were taking care of elderly relatives are working when employment goes up instead of taking care of the older relatives full-time.
I agree with Brian. People might leave jobs caring for elderly people to pursue better opportunities. Also, people who otherwise would be home helping elderly parents (or living with them and providing care in return for lodging) might have other opportunities. The compensation for caring for elderly people is low. The elderly might lose out when they have to compete for labor with better-paying firms.
I agree with both of you. I guess the core message here is that jobs in nursing homes are crappy, so when the economy improves people quit those jobs for other careers.
However, I am surprised that the authors of this excellent paper did not also address what the movement of people into and out of nursing homes when the economy turns. I.e., they have a sort of unstated assumption that the denominator of their ratio is fixed.
It may be the case that people had granny at home when they, themselves, were fully employed, and sent granny to the nursing home when the economy turned because they got fully employed.
So, we may not be observing just a decrease in the number of nursing aides, but also an increase in demand for their services.
Another issue not discussed is international comparisons. Dr. Goodman and others on this blog have debunked much of the overly simplistic observations about differences in international mortality, which is a complicated issue.
European economies, for example, are generally weaker than the U.S. economy. Do their elderly women live longer because of a similar effect to that described here?
Finally: What is wrong with us? If the economy goes up, we should be willing to pay more to the nursing homes to increase wages of nursing aides in good times!
small government is best when every self is able to take care of teesmelvhs. when every self has the genteel culture, skill and grit her way of life facility. there is only few public with such capabilities if we look closely. therefore her way of life, no theme how appealing or idealistic it is, has to take a back seat for the disadvantaged and helpless. republicans currently seem to be the smallest amount educated, most devout and smallest amount competent, but in some way they are the libertarians.
Wow, John, did you really mean to say that? “We should be willing to pay more to the nursing homes”!!!! I recently had the pleasure of paying for my aunt’s care in a non-profit nursing home in a small city in Michigan. She shared a very small room. The base charge was almost $9,000 per month. The nursing home staff were very good but, of course, not perfect. Her annual cost was several times my income. How much more do you think we should pay?
By the way, when you say “jobs in nursing homes are crappy”, are you intending to comment on more than just pay?
If so, what and with whom have you spoken to draw such a conclusion?
Also, do you know what the pay scales are for the various jobs?
I suspect that the pay is not great, but I do not know.
You also stated:
“It may be the case that people had granny at home when they, themselves, were fully employed, and sent granny to the nursing home when the economy turned because they got fully employed.”
I can guess how, but invite you to correct the above sentence to reflect your actual intent.