Change in the number of informal helpers of frail older persons.

Little is known of the extent to which helper networks of frail older persons change over time and what factors are associated with change. Few national estimates of the scope of change exist to aid policy planners. This study provides national estimates of changes in the size of the informal helping network of frail elderly by sociodemographic and functional status subgroups of this segment of the population. The data are drawn from the 1982-84 National Long Term Care Survey, which included longitudinal followup of 4,530 respondents living in the community at both times. Bivariate patterns of change over 2 years in the number of informal helpers were analyzed. Sociodemographic factors (sex, age group, and race) of the frail elderly may be more important influences on change in the number of helpers than functional status expressed in terms of their limitations in activities of daily living.