Understanding the caring capacity of informal networks of frail seniors: a case for care networks

Abstract

Population ageing and constraints on public sector spending for older people with long-term health problems have led policy makers to turn to the social networks of older people, or the ‘informal sector’, as a source of long-term care. An important question arising from this policy shift is whether these social networks have the resources to sustain the high levels of care that can be required by older people with chronic health problems. In the face of both dire warnings about the imminent demise of the informal sector, and concurrent expectations that it will be the pillar of community long-term care, it is timely to undertake a critical analysis of the caring capacity of older people's social networks. In this paper we argue that the best way to understand the caring capacity of informal networks of frail older people is to establish their membership and caring capacity. It is useful to make conceptual distinctions between ‘social’, ‘support’, and ‘care-giving’ networks. We argue that transitions of networks from social through support to care roles are likely to show systematic patterns, and that at each transition the networks tend to contract as the more narrowly defined functions prevail. A focus on ‘care networks’, rather than the more usual ‘care dyads’, will move forward our understanding of the caring capacity of the informal sector, and also our ability to forge sound social and health policies to support those who provide care.

Care and caring: interdisciplinary perspectives on a societal issue of global significance

“…Glendinning, 1992;Daly and Lewis, 2000;Williams, 2001;Fine, 2007;Ungerson and Yeandle, 2007;Williams, 2010;Barnes, 2012); gerontologists (e.g. Twigg and Atkin, 1994;Phillips et al, 2002;Keating et al, 2003;Walker, 2005a;Scharf, 2010); sociologists (e.g. Waerness, 1984;Phillipson, 1997;Daly, 2002;Peng, 2002;Anttonen and Sipila, 2003;Saraceno, 2008) and health academics (e.g.…”

对就地养老的反思——“人”与“地方”关系视角①

“…This situation has influenced the types of interpersonal and trans-human care relations of those ageing in place that have come to the attention of researchers. The rationalities of neo-liberalism have evolved such that many community dwelling individuals must care for themselves or seek their own care-giving resources and support as required with informal, familial based modes of assistance the primary means of caregiving and with supplementation by formal health and social care services (Keating et al, 2003). Lawson(2007) cautions against this approach and advocates that an appropriate equilibrium between the ideals of care as personalised practice and as politics must be reached.…”

“…Barrett et al(2012) found, for instance, that"receivers of care were less concerned with the performance of the practical, physical care tasks than with the personal connection implicit in the care relationship" . Relatedly, Keating et al(2003) have researched the capacity of personal social networks to evolve into support networks and found that the number of"tie ins"and size of, an older person' s social network is not necessarily a predictor of the capacity to'care' . Within a person' s social network there will be a potentially very small personal network of people whose ties to the individual are closer than others (Keating et al, 2003).…”

“…Relatedly, Keating et al(2003) have researched the capacity of personal social networks to evolve into support networks and found that the number of"tie ins"and size of, an older person' s social network is not necessarily a predictor of the capacity to'care' . Within a person' s social network there will be a potentially very small personal network of people whose ties to the individual are closer than others (Keating et al, 2003). They estimate that an older person's social network may comprise as many as 1,500 connections; but that in the United States and the UK people will have only 20 or 12-13 personal ties respectively in their personal network, which more accurately predict caring capacity (Keating et al, 2003).…”

Crafting Communities: Promoting Inclusion, Empowerment, and Learning between Older Women

“…She reinforces the centrality of collective responsibility in bold as a counter to the current dominant political discourses that refer to individual accountability and duty for ensuring sustainability, health and agency. At the same time, we are mindful of current trends for policy makers to turn to 'communities' and the 'informal sector' to provide support, caring, social services and resources as the welfare state shrinks (Jamrozik 2009;Keating et al 2003;Ife 2002).…”