Age trajectories of informal caregiving for older people in England: Testing the healthy caregiver hypothesis

Background and Objectives This study investigates how health status shapes the age trajectories of informal caregiving for spouses and older parents in England. Research Design and Methods The data came from five waves (2012–2023) of the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing (ELSA). We analysed 41,997 person-wave observations from 12,420 individuals aged 50+. We derived a latent health construct via hierarchical confirmatory factor analysis, integrating functional, mental, physical, and cognitive domains. Dynamic random-effects models were employed to examine the influence of prior health on consequent caregiving, and initial condition adjustment was made to correct estimation bias. Results Among those with a spouse, parents, or parents-in-law, healthier individuals demonstrated steeper increases in caregiving probability over time, while those in poor health showed flatter or declining caregiving trajectories. For spousal caregiving, better health was associated with a lower likelihood of caregiving at age 50, but this relationship turned positive from age 70 onwards. For parental caregiving, better health was associated with a higher likelihood of caregiving from age 53 onwards. Discussion and Implications Overall the research findings are consistent with the healthy caregiver hypothesis, particularly in later life. Good health facilitates the provision of informal care, whereas poor health compromises caregiving capability and constitutes a barrier to taking on a caregiving role. A healthier older population not only means lower care needs but also has greater capacity to provide care.