Help and Care to Older Parents in the Digital Society

Abstract

This study examines the extent and predictors of employees’ help and care to their old parentsand aims to contribute to policy development enabling employees to combine full-time workand caregiving to parents. Analyzing responses from 3332 Norwegian employees aged between45 and 67 years with at least one living parent, we identified frequencies of different help andcare types and tested competing predictors. Assistance with digital technology was frequent, andvarious types of practical support were common, but personal care provision was rare. Parents’health and parents living alone were substantial predictors. Public home care services seemedinsufficient and were associated with employees providing more help and care. The findingsemphasize the family as a comprehensive care provider when the welfare state falls short. Thestudy concludes that adult children play a critical role in helping older people cope with limitedpublic services and challenges posed by the digital society.