b'AGING IN THE 21ST CENTURYcompared to 2004 to 2006. While the effect of the recession on employment overall is not differ- Compared to those who are working, those who became ent for those with health-related limitations,unemployed are more than twice as likely to experience food increases in job losses over the period of theinsecurity between 2008 and 2010, and are almost five times more recession are 30% greater for those with greaterlikely to have foregone medication because of the cost.underlying risk of disability than for the general HRS population (Altindag et al. 2012). It may be that those with disabilities switched jobs toOthers examine the possible impact of theTo evaluate the effect of the recession, they divide adapt to work limitations. Decreases in spendingGreat Recession on an individuals use of pre- the sample into those who said they were affected are 20% greater for those with disabilities. ventative health care. Manski et al. (2012) findby the Great Recession a lot, a little, and not Another study examines the impact ofthat a 50% or more decrease in household incomeat all. Those affected by the recession a lot were the recession on the risk of experiencing foodduring the Great Recession led older adults towealthier and had higher incomes. Interestingly, insecurity and foregoing medications. The HRSreduce their use of dental care.this group also has the highest rates of both includes a variety of measures intended to One important source of help during hardgiving and receiving. Despite their own wealth evaluate the experiences of those with significanttimes can be family. Researchers have long recog- losses, older parents increased their financial help economic need. One question asks, In the pastnized that financial help, or transfers, betweento adult children and others. This help seems to two years, have you always had enough money tofamily members might act as a kind of insurancego to those who need it most, such as the recently buy the food you need? Those who answer no toagainst the risk of income shortfalls associat- unemployed. HRS participants are 34% more this question can be considered as experiencinged with job loss or other financial problems.likely to make a financial transfer if they have food insecurity. Another question asks, In theRecessionary pressures could cause householda family member who is two or more months past two years, have you ended up taking lesstransfers to increase or decrease. Family membersbehind on their mortgage payment.medication than is prescribed because of themay have greater need, but the resources of those cost? In the 2010 wave of the HRS, participantswho might want to help could be less. are asked if the housing crisis affected them orIn 2009, 30.4% of those in the original HRS their family. Those who owned their homes andcohort who were aged 67 to 77 in 2008 had given still owed money to a mortgage lender are askeda transfer of $500 or more to grown children, if they had ever fallen more than two monthsrelatives or friends in the past 12 months (Cox behind on mortgage payments in the past twoand Way 2011). Only 3.4% received such a years. Unemployment and the participants owntransfer. Those receiving a transfer were more (or a family members) mortgage delinquencylikely to be unemployed, single and non-White. is associated with experiencing food insecurity or foregone medications (Burgard et al. 2013). Compared to those who are working, those whoHRS participants are 34% more likely to make a financial became unemployed are more than twice as likelytransfer if they have a family member who is two or more to experience food insecurity between 2008 andmonths behind on their mortgage payment.2010, and are almost five times more likely to have foregone medication because of the cost. 90'