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- Dahlberg, Lena, 1970-, et al.
(författare)
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Age and gender of informal carers : a population-based study in the UK
- 2007
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Ingår i: Health & Social Care in the Community. - : Hindawi Limited. - 0966-0410 .- 1365-2524. ; 15:5, s. 439-45
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- This paper identifies variations in the age and gender characteristics of informal carers in the UK. The paper is based on the Individual Sample of Anonymous Records, a 3% random sample of the 2001 UK Census. The sample size was 1 825 595. Of this sample, 10% were reported to be carers. The analysis shows that informal caregiving is systematically linked with both age and gender. Caregiving increased with age until reaching a peak in the 45-59 age group, in which almost 20% were carers. Similarly, the amount of time spent caregiving increased with age, with the highest levels of caregiving commitment in people aged 80-89 years. Regarding gender, 11.3% of women were carers compared to 8.6% of men and overall women committed more time to caregiving than men. However, this pattern was reversed in later life (70+), where there was a higher proportion of carers and greater time commitment to caregiving amongst men. While the predominance of women as informal carers has been well reported, the importance of men as informal carers in old age is much less commented upon. This study thus suggests that informal caregiving is most prevalent in groups of the population that, according to previous research, may experience most strain from doing so: elderly people who may be frail and often are in a spousal relationship with the care-recipient, and middle-aged women with multiple roles. Therefore, it is of great importance that their particular needs and circumstances are fully taken into account both in the development of formal support and when information about available support is targeted.
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| 4. |
- Dahlberg, Lena, 1970-
(författare)
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The complementarity norm : service provision by the welfare state and voluntary organisations in Sweden.
- 2006
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Ingår i: Health & Social Care in the Community. - : Hindawi Limited. - 0966-0410 .- 1365-2524. ; 14:4, s. 302-10
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Previous research has shown that different providers of social welfare tend to provide complementary services at a local level, but that there is no complete task specialisation. This means that elements of complementarity theory are challenged, especially the so-called 'principle of matching', i.e. that actors only undertake tasks which match their characteristics. The aim of the present study was to explore complementarity between Swedish local authorities and voluntary organisations in their support for relatives of older people. Interviews were carried out with 55 politicians, civil servants and representatives of voluntary organisations drawn from four municipalities. These municipalities were selected from a sampling frame that ensured representation of different combinations of high and low levels of voluntary and statutory services. Qualitative analysis of interview transcripts showed that, while local authorities are seen as responsible for the support for relatives, voluntary organisations are expected to be complementary, offering 'the icing on the cake', i.e. social support and activities which are regarded as less demanding. Overall, substantial support for a norm of complementarity was found. It is argued that, if those who are active in social policy and voluntary work at a local level agree with the ideal of complementarity, this will influence their wish to arrange activities and services. Therefore, the complementarity norm - rather than the principle of matching - influences the outcome in terms of service provision.
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