Mehta Kalyani K, Leng Thang Leng
School of Human Development and Social Services, Singapore University of Social Sciences, 461 Clementi Road, Singapore, 599491, Singapore.
Faculty of Arts and Social Science, National University of Singapore, 9, Arts Link, Singapore, 117570, Singapore.
J Cross Cult Gerontol. 2017 Sep;32(3):373-385. doi: 10.1007/s10823-017-9329-1.
The well-being of informal caregivers in the familial context is increasingly recognized as a critical area of concern affecting the care of older family members. This paper focuses on the dynamics of family caregiving for older members from the work-life perspective, contextualised in the highly developed and rapidly ageing society that is Singapore. Drawing from qualitative research on 30 adult family caregivers and 15 live-in foreign domestic workers (FDWs), the main themes identified from the qualitative interviews were: 1) Stresses and dilemmas faced by family caregivers; 2) Filial responsibility in the caring for one's parents; 3) Coping with work and caregiving - FDWs in family caregiving; 4) Coping with extra help - hiring of FDWs and challenges. This study highlights the complexities when paid and unpaid family care is juxtaposed in the family household. The findings point to the need for improvement in policies, training and support for caregivers.
在家庭环境中，非正式照料者的福祉日益被视为影响老年家庭成员照料的一个关键关注领域。本文从工作与生活的视角聚焦于新加坡这个高度发达且快速老龄化社会中对老年家庭成员的家庭照料动态。基于对30名成年家庭照料者和15名住家外籍家政工人（FDW）的定性研究，定性访谈中确定的主要主题有：1）家庭照料者面临的压力和困境；2）照顾父母的孝道责任；3）兼顾工作与照料——家庭照料中的外籍家政工人；4）应对额外帮助——雇佣外籍家政工人及挑战。本研究凸显了家庭中有偿和无偿家庭照料并存时的复杂性。研究结果表明需要改进针对照料者的政策、培训和支持。
