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Helpful citizens and caring families: patterns of informal help and caregiving in Sweden in a 17-year perspective
- Authors:
- JEGERMALM Magnus, GRASSMAN Eva Jeppsson
- Journal article citation:
- International Journal of Social Welfare, 21(4), October 2012, pp.422-432.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
This article reports on an analysis of informal help and caregiving in Sweden with a focus on patterns of change over 17 years. In particular, it examines whether there has been a change in the extent of caregiving, the type of caregivers, and the relationship between the caregivers and the recipients of help. The discussion is based on results from a national survey repeated 4 times between 1992 and 2009. The survey asked whether the respondent regularly helped someone with whom they did not live (relatives, neighbours, co-workers or friends) with activities such as housework, transport, or gardening. In order to discuss how the trends can be understood in the Swedish context, the findings are analysed using 2 interpretative perspectives: the welfare state and impact of recent changes; and civil society and its possible and changing role. The findings indicate that in the 1990s the figures were stable, but from the late 1990s to 2009, there was a dramatic increase in the extent of informal help giving. Concerning types of helpers, the patterns implied involvement not only from family members, but also from other types of helpers.
Mapping the future of family care: receipt of informal care by older people with disabilities in England to 2032
- Authors:
- PICKARD Linda, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Social Policy and Society, 11(4), October 2012, pp.533-545.
- Publisher:
- Cambridge University Press
Today, in many economically developed countries, long-term care systems are reliant on informal care. However, in the context of population ageing, there are concerns about the future supply of informal care. This article reports on projections of informal care receipt by older people with disabilities from spouses and adult children to 2032 in England. The current projections show that the relative numbers of older people with disabilities who have a child will fall by 2032, and that the extent of informal care in future may be lower than previously estimated. The policy implications for England are discussed.
Help from spouse and from children among older people with functional limitations: comparison of England and Finland
- Authors:
- BLOMGREN Jenni, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Ageing and Society, 32(6), August 2012, pp.905-933.
- Publisher:
- Cambridge University Press
This study, using nationally representative data from England and Finland, investigated receipt of help from spouse and children among community-dwelling people aged 70+ years with functional limitations. In both countries, women and those with more functional limitations had higher odds of receiving spousal and filial help. In England, but not in Finland, those receiving formal public help had lower odds of receiving spousal help than those with no formal help. Those with low education received more filial help in England, but no association was found between formal and filial help. In Finland, the effect of education was not significant but those receiving formal help had higher odds of also receiving filial help. The results suggest that in a liberal market-led state, the role of children may be to help their parents living alone and with low financial resources. The authors concluded that, in the context of a generous welfare state, children may function more as active agents bridging the gap between their parents and traditional services.
Informal carers and private law
- Author:
- SLOAN Brian
- Publisher:
- Hart Publishing
- Publication year:
- 2012
- Pagination:
- 290p.
- Place of publication:
- Oxford
Every day, large numbers of altruistic individuals, in the absence of any legal duty, provide substantial services for elderly and disabled people. In doing so, many such informal carers suffer financial and other disadvantages. This book considers the scope for a "private law" approach to rewarding, supporting or compensating carers, an increasingly vital topic in the context of an ageing population and the need for savings in public expenditure. Adopting a comparative approach, the book explores the recognition of the informal carer and his or her relationship with the care recipient within diverse fields of private law, from unjust enrichment to succession. Aspects of the analysis include the importance of a promise of a reward from the care recipient and the appropriate measure of any remedy. In considering the potential for expansion of a "private law" approach for carers, the book addresses the fundamental and controversial question of the price of altruism. Contents include: Introduction; property law claims: proprietary estoppel and constructive trusts; statutory enforcement of testamentary promises; unjust enrichment; family provision; ‘inter vivos’ provision on the breakdown of caring relationships; undue influence; and conclusion.
Long-distance caregiving: a systematic review of the literature
- Authors:
- CAGLE John G., MUNN Jean C.
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Gerontological Social Work, 55(8), November 2012, pp.682-707.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- Philadelphia, USA
Although it is estimated that there are 5 to 7 million long-distance caregivers (LDCs) in the United States, little is known about this growing population. This study reviewed the literature on LDCs and examined 16 identified studies. Although studies defined LDCs differently, a composite description of who LDCs are and what they do is presented. Findings revealed that LDCs make substantial contributions in terms of physical, financial, and social support. Distance complicates communication about care recipients' health and care needs, as well as the types of care that can be provided. Related to this, geographic separation can exacerbate care-related stressors. Implications for future research are discussed.
Substitution between formal and informal care: a ‘natural experiment’ in social policy in Britain between 1985 and 2000
- Author:
- PICKARD Linda
- Journal article citation:
- Ageing and Society, 32(7), October 2012, pp.1147-1175.
- Publisher:
- Cambridge University Press
This article examines substitution between formal and informal care in England between 1985 and 2000. During the late 1980s and early 1990s, there was an increase in long-stay residential care for older people, which came to an end around the mid-1990s. The article examines whether this increase in formal services led to a decline in informal care, and whether this was subsequently reversed. The paper shows that there was a decline in provision of intense co-resident care for older parents between 1985 and 1995, which came to an end in the mid-1990s. These trends in intergenerational care were related to changes in long-stay residential care. In particular, controlling for age and disability, there was evidence of substitution between nursing home and hospital care and co-resident care for older parents. The author concludes that a key policy implication is that an expansion of very intense formal services for older people could bring about a decline in very intense intergenerational care.
The baby boomers’ intergenerational relationships
- Authors:
- FINGERMAN Karen L., et al
- Journal article citation:
- Gerontologist, 52(2), April 2012, pp.199-209.
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
The Baby Boom generation are now entering late life. Increases in life expectancy over the past century have precipitated changes in family ties, and Baby Boomers may be torn between helping young adult children and ageing parents. This review article considers both these aspects of intergenerational relationships of Baby Boomers in the context of changing marital dynamics. Three major studies are described: the Within Family Differences Study (WFDS) of mothers aged 65–75 and their multiple grown children (primarily Baby Boomers) ongoing since 2001; the Family Exchanges Study (FES) of Baby Boomers aged 42–60, their spouses, parents, and multiple grown children ongoing since 2008; and the Longitudinal Study of Generations (LSoG) of 351 3-generation families started when the Baby Boomers were teenagers in 1971. These studies show that the Baby Boomers in midlife navigate complex intergenerational patterns. The WFDS finds ageing parents differentiate among Baby Boomer children in midlife, favouring some more than others. The FES shows that the Baby Boomers are typically more involved with their children than with their aging parents. The LSoG documents how divorce and remarriage dampen intergenerational obligations in some families. These studies provide insights into the nature of intergenerational ties and caregiving in the future.
Caring for the caregivers: developing models that work
- Authors:
- BROWDIE Richard, NOELKER Linda
- Journal article citation:
- Generations, 36(1), 2012, pp.103-106.
- Publisher:
- American Society on Aging
This article describes innovative approaches to family respite for family members of elderly participants in the Ohio HCBS (Home and Community Based Services) waiver programme—individuals who are, by definition, financially and functionally eligible to be served in nursing homes. The article provides an overview of the programme—who it serves and how, and with what results, and also offers case studies of how this programme has made continuing HCBS possible for older adult HCBS waiver clientele. (Edited publisher abstract)
Facts and figures on healthy ageing and long-term care: Europe and North America
- Authors:
- RODRIGUES Ricardo, HUBER Manfred, LAMURA Giovanni, (eds.)
- Publisher:
- European Centre for Social Welfare Policy and Research
- Publication year:
- 2012
- Pagination:
- 122p.
- Place of publication:
- Vienna
This publication from the European Centre for Social Welfare Policy and Research (Vienna) is the result of the joint effort of a group of authors and provides information on the ageing phenomenon across the UNECE region. It aims to provide governments, stakeholders and the broader public with a statistical portrait of cross-national trends and comparisons on population ageing in Europe and North-America. It analyses how voluntary commitment as well as public and private provision of care can work together to help older people live independently as long as possible. It covers data and information on demography, social situation of older people, health, informal care, migrant care workers, public long-term care policies and expenditure for the countries of the UNECE. It is meant as a tool to inform policy debate and inform decision-making by policy-makers. It provides easily accessible information on data and facts for academic experts and researchers to aid comparative analysis of healthy ageing and long-term care.
An evaluation study of a dementia screening program in Taiwan: an application of the theory of planned behaviors
- Authors:
- YANG Pei-Shan, TANG John Sai-Hung, CHEN Chun-Yu
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Gerontological Social Work, 55(7), October 2012, pp.626-640.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- Philadelphia, USA
A common global challenge facing dementia service providers is how to detect dementia early to facilitate timely intervention. This paper reports findings of an evaluation study of a dementia-screening programme in Taiwan using the Theory of Planned Behaviours. It first presents the Short Portable Mental Status Questionnaire (SPMSQ) programme rationale, and then examines the effects of this important health and social service intervention. Follow-up telephone interviews were completed by 108 respondents. Findings indicate that the SPMSQ programme was overall successful in identifying suspected dementia. Results also show that the dementia-screening programme contributed to an increase in medical service utilisation and in unpaid informal care. Implications for future research and practice are discussed.