Natasha NemmersAssistant Professor of Human Development & Family Studies | RISE-THRIVE Faculty Fellow

I am a gerontologist whose research examines how family structures, social relationships, and broader social contexts shape health, well-being, and the availability and provision of support in later life. My work focuses on older adults living with dementia and their care partners, with particular attention to those aging outside traditional family structures, including individuals who are unmarried, childless, geographically separated from family, or living alone with cognitive impairment.

With population aging and shifting family structures, more older adults may have limited access to traditional sources of family support. My research identifies factors that contribute to unmet care needs and challenges to aging in place and examines the social and relational resources that promote resilience. Using quantitative, qualitative, and mixed-methods approaches, including nationally representative longitudinal studies and in-depth interviews, I seek to inform interventions and policies that optimize health and well-being while supporting effective care networks and smoother transitions for older adults and their caregivers.

Selected Publications

Nemmers, N., Li, W., Lai, W., & Leggett, A. N. (2026). Care network characteristics and unmet needs among community-dwelling older adults with dementia by living arrangement. The Journals of Gerontology: Series B, gbag135.

Nemmers, N., Lai, W., Tsuker, S., Haldar, S., Freedman, V. A., & Leggett, A. N. (2024). Examining care network characteristics in older adults’ relocation to residential care settings. Innovation in Aging, 8(10), igae087.

For a full list of publications, see Nemmers’ CV.

See Also

• Public scholarship
  • “Older Adults with Care Needs Face Gaps in Support and Services,” National Health and Aging Trends Study (NHATS) Research Summaries, 2025
  • “Aging in the Right Place: When to Stay and When to Move,” webinar, Michigan Alzheimer’s Disease Center Caregiver Series, November 2025
  • “Beyond Traditional Family Support: Caring for Older Adults Living Alone with Cognitive Impairment,” webinar, Michigan Alzheimer’s Disease Center Leaders Initiative Series, August 2025