Capability to care and work: when dual roles intersect

Abstract

Ageing in place is a cost-effective policy solution to eldercare that reflects a dominant positive ageing discourse of choice and independence. It satisfies older people's preference to remain at home and be involved in their community, but depends upon the provision of care and support for frail elders, particularly the oldest-old, who require assistance to achieve these goals. The traditional provision of unpaid eldercare by female relatives is changing as women are increasingly working outside the home, and they have to choose between, or manage, dual roles of caregiving and paid work. Negative effects on health, paid employment, and finances are associated with the intersection of eldercare and employment. Solutions involve reducing or relinquishing paid employment, which would have financial, social, physical, and emotional ramifications in the future. However, being able to successfully accommodate both roles provides a sense of satisfaction and fulfilment. To understand the complexity of managing the tension between work and eldercare requires a detailed analysis of unpaid caregivers’ daily lives. This paper presents findings about eldercare provision and paid work, derived from two qualitative studies that used a participatory methodology for an in-depth exploration of caregivers’ health. The participants’ stories demonstrate that rather than reflecting on access to a range of options, caregivers’ choices are constrained, and involve trading work and other capabilities for the capability to care. Providing care for a loved elder was the first priority, followed by paid work. Having the capability to maintain a healthy and balanced life was the caregivers’ lowest priority. Unpaid informal care has benefits for elders, and it is a valued emotional relationship for caregivers; however, future social policy should address the difficulties that caregiving creates in people's lives along with focusing on the benefits that such care offers in terms of positive population ageing.