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...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:The journals of gerontology. Series B, Psychological sciences and social sciences Psychological sciences and social sciences, 2024-05, Vol.79 (5)
Main Authors: Wosko, Paulina, Pfabigan, Johanna, Trukeschitz, Birgit, Reitinger, Elisabeth, Pichler, Barbara, Pleschberger, Sabine
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Aged
Aged, 80 and over
Caregivers
Family
Female
Friends
Home Environment
Humans
Male
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Summary: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 nonkin carers and their contribution to the support arrangements of older people living alone. Methods We conducted semistructured 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 analyzed 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 3 groups of nonkins 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 nonkin carers, namely manifold, scattered, and little nonkin involvement. Discussion Our study highlights the diversity of nonkin support in the support arrangements of older people living alone. This heterogeneity should be considered by policy-makers when promoting informal care and designing policy measures.
ISSN:1079-5014
1758-5368
1758-5368
DOI:10.1093/geronb/gbae008