Nonkin Carers’ Roles and Contributions to the Support of Older People Living Alone: An Analysis of Qualitative Data

Abstract

Objectives In the Global North, the number of older people living alone who have little or no support from family members is increasing. However, little is known about older people living alone who have basic needs for support but do not have kin living nearby or a sustainable relationship to a relative they can rely on. Thus, this paper focuses on the role of non-kin carers and their contribution to the support arrangements of older people living alone. Methods We conducted semi-structured interviews with 32 older people living alone aged between 67 and 99 (Ø 84.2 years) in Austria, 23 women and 9 men. The interviews were analysed by applying a coding strategy based on grounded theory. In addition, sociograms were created to illustrate relevant relations in each support arrangement. Results We identified and characterized three groups of non-kins involved in the support arrangements of older people living alone based on the origins of the relationships: (1) friends, (2) neighbors, and (3) acquaintances like members of various communities. The arrangements were classified according to the amount and quality of involvement of non-kin carers namely manifold, scattered, and little non-kin involvement. Discussion Our study highlights the diversity of non-kin support in the support arrangements of older people living alone. This heterogeneity should be considered by policymakers when promoting informal care and designing policy measures.