Older People as Care Givers and Their Roles in Family in the Era of Active Ageing: Case of the Czech Republic
Older People as Care Givers and Their Roles in Family in the Era of Active Ageing: Case of the Czech Republic

Summary/Abstract: In this paper I deal with the issue of care that older people provide to others. In the traditional paradigm, older people are being perceived as recipients of care, but there are new views that show that they are also important providers of care, especially for those of younger age. This text focuses on the purpose for the three major social roles of older people—the role of grandparents, the role of care giving, and the economical role, as well as the intensity with which older people perform these roles. It also describes the balance of these roles and the effects this harmonization brings for the well-being of the older person. As the primary source, the data SHARE 2010 for the Czech Republic is being used. The results showed significant activity of the older people in the intergenerational family solidarity. Most of older people babysit their grandchildren, approximately one-third of them provide personal and practical assistance to other individuals. All such care, whether it be for grandchildren or for other relatives, is often quite intense. The data indicated traditionally higher participation of women in care. A surprising finding from the analysis, though, is the minor effect of the care on well-being of the care giver.

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