A study on the effects of informal care on the health of older adults—Evidence from China

Abstract Purpose This study aimed to explore the impact of informal care on the health of older adults, providing data to inform the development of informal care systems and social support policies for long‐term care services in developing countries. Methods Based on data from the 2018 Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey (CLHLS), this study employed the Propensity Score Matching (PSM) method to empirically analyze the effects of informal care on older adults’ self‐rated health, depression, and anxiety. Results A total of 4790 older adults were included in the study sample, with 3194 receiving informal care and 1596 not receiving informal care. The results indicated that older adults who received informal care reported better self‐rated health and had lower depression and anxiety scores compared to those who did not receive informal care. Among different groups, the positive effects of informal care on physical and mental health were more significant for very old adults, rural residents, and those without a spouse. Informal care had a greater positive impact on the physical health of women and the mental health of men. Conclusion Government agencies should promote effective coordination between informal and formal care through financial support, awareness campaigns, and policy incentives. This will help to accelerate the improvement of the long‐term care system and effectively meet the long‐term care needs of older adults.