The demographic wave of baby boomers makes planning for future aging a priority. Early life cycle planning and the failure of individuals to plan were cited as major policy issues related to global aging (Lee, Mason, & Cotlear, 2010). Although studies have investigated individual differences in planning for future care (e.g., age, gender), far fewer have examined planning in the context of families. This study examined whether future care discussions within families and perceived family support predicted planning actions. The sample was comprised of 385 adults, aged 50 and older (mean age=66.5, SD=9.3, range=50–92). Participants completed a questionnaire, either in-person or on-line, that included demographic questions, the Discussion of Future Care Needs Scale (DFCNS; Fowler, 2006), the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support: Family (MSPSS:F; Zimet et al., 1988) and T/F items from the Associated Press-NORC Center long-term care poll that pertain to specific planning actions (e.g., residential downsizing). A hierarchical linear regression entered two established predictors (age, future income security) of planning in the first block and the DFCNS and MSPSS:F in the second block. Age and future income security explained 22% of the variance in planning. The addition of the DFCNS and MSPSS:F explained 31% of the variance and the R2 was significant (p<.001). DFCNS was a significant predictor (p<.001) of planning; however, the MSPSS:F was not. These results suggest that family discussions are important for promoting future care planning. Strategies for facilitating these discussions within families will be presented.
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