Article,
The roles of friends and neighbours in providing support for older people
Aging and Society, (2000)
Abstract
Most published research on informal care for older people focuses
on the support provided by relatives. The role of non-kin carers
can, however, also be signi�cant in supporting older people in their
own homes. In this paper, we report the �ndings from an exploratory
study of the support provided by friends and neighbours who are the
main carers of frail older people. It draws on interviews with an
opportunistic sample of friends, neighbours and older people, which
explored their views about the support arrangements, the reasons
why help was provided and any difficulties experienced. Several friends
and neighbours provided intensive and frequent help, and some played
a key role in co-ordinating other services. One of the main forms
of direct support related to older people's quality of life, at a
broader level than the practical help provided by statutory services.
The exibility of such support, and the friends' and neighbours' concern
for older people as individuals, were particularly important to the
people they helped. Nevertheless, such help was not provided without
costs to the carers. The study highlights the need for policy-makers
and practitioners not to take help from friends and neighbours for
granted and, in line with the White Paper.
