TY  - JOUR
A1  - Bokun, Anna
A1  - Angel, Jacqueline L.
A1  - Andrade, Flavia Cristina Drumond
A1  - Rote, Sunshine
A1  - Cantu, Philip
T1  - Financial strain among Mexican American adult child caregivers of the oldest old
Y1  - 2026/08/12
JF  - Demographic Research
JO  - Demographic Research
SN  - 1435-9871
SP  - 325
EP  - 356
DO  - 10.4054/DemRes.2026.55.10
VL  - 55
IS  - 10
UR  - https://www.demographic-research.org/volumes/vol55/10/
L1  - https://www.demographic-research.org/volumes/vol55/10/55-10.pdf
L2  - https://www.demographic-research.org/volumes/vol55/10/55-10.pdf
L3  - https://www.demographic-research.org/volumes/vol55/10/files/readme.55-10.txt
L3  - https://www.demographic-research.org/volumes/vol55/10/files/demographic-research.55-10.zip
N2  - Background: As more adults assume caregiving responsibilities for their aging parents, a key question emerges: Does coresidence increase financial strain for adult child caregivers? 

Objective: To examine whether coresiding with an oldest-old parent (aged 80+) is associated with higher financial strain among adult child caregivers. 

Methods: This study uses data from the Hispanic Established Population for the Epidemiologic Study of the Elderly (2010–2011), a population-based survey of Mexican Americans in five southwestern US states (N = 659). Logistic regression and propensity score–matched logistic models are used to examine the association between coresidence and caregiver financial strain, accounting for selection into coresidence. 

Results: Coresiding caregivers had more than twice the odds of experiencing financial strain compared to non-coresiding caregivers (OR = 2.17 [95% CI: 1.22–3.82], p = 0.007). This relationship remained robust in the matched sample (OR = 2.02 [95% CI: 1.06–4.02], p = 0.038). Poor parental health independently increased the odds of caregiver financial strain in both the full (OR = 3.63 [95% CI: 1.38–12.5], p = 0.019) and the matched sample (OR = 2.20 [95% CI: 1.01–5.36], p = 0.061). 

Conclusions: These findings suggest that coresidence often functions less as a financial buffer and more as a conduit for high-intensity care, thereby elevating caregiver financial strain. Policies aimed at promoting caregiver financial autonomy – including tax credits, paid family leave, and expanded home- and community-based services – should take into account the distinct vulnerabilities of coresiding caregivers. 

Contribution: This study provides evidence that coresiding with an oldest-old parent more than doubles the odds of financial strain among Mexican American adult child caregivers, challenging the assumption that intergenerational coresidence functions primarily as an economic buffer for low-income families. The findings inform policies designed to support the growing population of families navigating population aging, long-term care infrastructure, and housing affordability constraints. 

ER  -