FAMILY CARE AND ITS IMPACT ON THE LIFE OF ELDERLY PEOPLE: A STUDY IN DHAKA CITY

Abstract

Family care is an important issue that plays a significant role in the life of elderly people. The increasing number of elderly people, change of family’s care to them, reducing the number of caregivers because of changing family structure - all these are impactful on the healthy life of elderly people. So this study was an attempt to understand the circumstances of family care considering challenges, the extent of care, opinion, and outlook of the elderly people and family members. This study included a review of formal and informal policies, traditions, practices, and service systems on elderly care in the families of Bangladesh. The main objective of the study was to explore and understand the relationship between the challenges of elderly people and the nature of family care towards them. A case study method involving twenty cases of families with elderly people was followed in this study. The case study was conducted in the area of Dhaka South City Corporation. Focus group discussion with family members who provide elderly care was covered in this study. This study found that elderly people receive care from their spouse, children, daughter-in-law, grandchildren, and maid. In twenty cases, most elderly people lived with children, and a few of them lived with their spouses or alone. It was evident that elderly people, predominantly middle-old and oldest-old having diseases and limited functional ability, cannot perform any daily life activities without the support of family members. Spouses and children as family members had significant contributions to the life of elderly people. Family members generally used to provide ADL, IADL, financial, mental, and social support to their elderly members in the family. This study found that elderly people hold limited expectations from a family and expressed the highest satisfaction with the care they receive. The family caregivers proposed some suggestions like home-based or community-based care to reduce caregivers’ stress related to elderly care. The study recommended establishing an age-friendly environment, increasing intergenerational relationships, and respite or daycare centers for elderly people. To ensure the quality of life of elderly people, the government, non-government organizations, and the community should take integrated initiatives together to achieve healthy and successful ageing in Bangladesh.