Study Finds Mixed Views on Caring for Elders

New research shows African Americans of different ages differ on whether families or government should support older adults.

Updated on Nov. 2, 2026 in Eldercare

Gouache-painted editorial illustration of two matched armchairs of different heights in a warm room, one near a window and one in shadow, suggesting a gap between generations. — A new study of 1,696 African American adults found younger respondents were most likely to back a shared family and government role in supporting older relatives' finances. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Should the government mainly be responsible for supporting older adults' finances?

A study of 1,696 African American adults aged 18 to 90 examined how different age groups view family and government responsibility for older adults' financial support, household chores and personal care. Young adults were most likely to endorse a shared family and government role for older adults' finances.

Why it matters

Understanding how generations view eldercare responsibility can inform how families and public programs plan support for aging Americans. The findings suggest attitudes shift with age, which may shape future policy debates across the United States.

The study drew on responses from 1,696 African American adults aged 18 to 90. Among young adults, 56.9% endorsed a shared family and government role for older adults' finances, while 22.7% endorsed mainly government responsibility.

The players

University of Rhode Island

A public research university whose researcher led the study on attitudes toward eldercare among African American adults.

University of Michigan

A public research university whose faculty member co-authored the study on family and government responsibility for older adults.

University of Texas Medical Branch

A health sciences institution in Galveston whose faculty member co-authored the study on eldercare attitudes.

The details

Researchers compared young adults (18 to 39), midlife adults (40 to 64) and older adults (65 and older) on who should be responsible for financial support, household chores and personal care for older adults. Respondents chose among family responsibility, shared family and government responsibility, or mainly government responsibility.

Eldercare Landscape

The study draws on the National Survey of American Life, a national survey of African American adults, to examine attitudes toward caring for older relatives. Its findings add age-specific detail to ongoing national debates over whether family or government should bear the costs of eldercare.

For families weighing who will help an aging parent with money, chores or personal care, the study suggests generational views differ and may not align. Adults considering shared arrangements can use these findings to start conversations about expectations before care needs arise.

The takeaway

Families planning for aging relatives may find that younger and older generations hold different expectations about who should pay for and provide care. Talking through those expectations early can help avoid misunderstandings later.