Aging & Social Change: Thirteenth Interdisciplinary Conference

Abstract

The need for policies that allow next of kin to combine full-time work and care to older people are increasing. Our research is intended to contribute to the development of such policies by helping understand how adult children, combine work and caring for old parents. Using a 2022 survey in Norway, we analyse data collected among 3,332 employees aged 45-67 years, with one or both parents alive. Poor health and living alone were substantial predictors of children’s care to old parents. Parents living at an elderly institution received less care from their children. Assistance with the use of digital technology was the most frequent form of help. The use of digital technology depends on living close to the parent. Age was a substantial linear predictor of helping the parents. There were small differences between daughters and sons. The findings highlight the family as an omnibus institution for providing care that the welfare state does not deliver – be it because of a lack of capacity or because needs are unacknowledged. Daughters and sons are crucial for helping older people cope with limited public services and obstacles imposed by the digital society. As populations grow older, welfare states are likely to struggle even more with delivering the necessary help and care to older people. This observation raises a crucial question for future research and policies alike: Will adult children in employment be able to provide the necessary help and care to their parents?