Description

For sample persons age 55 and older in 1984 and age 65 and older in 1986 who, due to a health or physical problem, has difficulty eating when by herself/himself and not using any special equipment, and who receives help when engaging in such an activity, LAEATHNRIH reports if she/he receives help from a nonrelative household member and, if so, if the help is paid for.

If the person receives help from more than one person in the same category, and some are paid while others not, the help is denoted as paid for. If the person indicates that help is received from a spouse, child, or parent, she/he is not asked whether the help is paid for.

This variable is part of a series of variables related to the difficulty of doing various activities due to a physical/mental health condition, the use of help from others to carry on such activities, and the number of years this difficulty has persisted. For related variables, please use the IPUMS NHIS search function and drop-down menus.

Comparability

Changes in survey design (e.g., quarters in which the supplement was collected) may affect raw frequencies, but do not affect comparability of the variable. As always, data users should use the prescribed IHIS weights.

Universe

Availability

• 1984, 1986

Weights

• 1986 : PERWEIGHT
• 1984 : SAMPWEIGHT