Final answer:
The gender differential in nursing homes reflects women's longer life expectancy, greater risk of chronic illnesses, and likelihood of being unmarried. These factors lead to a higher presence of women in nursing homes.
Step-by-step explanation:
The gender differential in nursing homes is due to multiple factors impacting elderly women more than elderly men. These include women's longer life expectancy, which not only increases the number of years women might spend in a nursing home but also increases the likelihood that they will outlive their spouses and face widowhood. Moreover, women's greater risk of experiencing chronic illnesses, likely due to accumulated disadvantages over their lifespan, also contributes to a higher presence in nursing homes. Lastly, women’s greater likelihood of being unmarried adds to the necessity for institutional care, as they may lack a spousal caretaker at home. Therefore, the correct answer to the question is D) all of the above.