Family support for older people: determinants and consequences (FAMSUP)

European Science Foundation

There is little dispute that with growing numbers of very old people in most industrialised countries, there are more needing support than ever before, either from their families or from public services. It is also clear that demographic and family behavioural patterns are changing, with more women to going out to work, and more people remaining childless. Many believe that these changes within families are reducing the support very elderly people have traditionally received just as the numbers needing it are increasing. The obvious consequence of this would be growing demand for formally provided services. But such pessimism is not universally shared. There is considerable uncertainty over how family care for elderly people will evolve in the future. One major question that needs answering is whether the provision of more formal help will discourage family care. There is also the question of whether convergence of social policies within the EU will promote greater similarity in provision of care.

The Network's specific objectives are:

• to analyse the effect of demographic and family patterns (e.g. divorce, intergenerational length, family size, and non-marital childbearing) on the likelihood adult children co-residing with or providing care for elderly parents

• to examine the effect of women's employment on the likelihood of co-residence with an elderly parent and the provision of care

• to analyse associations between living arrangements, especially living alone, and the health and well being of older people in different countries

• to analyse differentials between and within countries in the health status of the older population and other sources of potential disadvantage, such as low income and few family links

• to characterise the policy environment and analyse the effect of long-term care policy on multigenerational living arrangements and informal care.