GENDER DIFFERENCES IN FORMAL CARE USE IN LATER LIFE

This article assesses gender differences in the use of formal versus i nformal sources of in-home care among impaired elders. Data from the 1 984 panel of the Survey of Income and Program Participation are used i n the analysis. The results suggest that married women are more likely to receive formal care than are married men, but this pattern does no t hold for the unmarried. This result is consistent with gendered expe ctations regarding caregiving and receipt within the marital unit.