Change in the care of the elderly in Spanish families: grandchildren take over from daughter-in-law

The bulk of care for elderly people continues to fall on women (65%) and mostly on daughters. However, in the last 18 years, a substantial change has occurred: the population of women caring for elderly relatives has decreased by almost 22 percentage points, and the percentage of male caregivers has increased by 19 points.

And if one looks at the relationship between those who care and those who are cared for, it can be observed that there are fewer daughters-in-law (and sons-in-law) and grandchildren caregivers are gaining prominence.

These are some of the results of two complementary research studies conducted by the Foundation Pilares para la Autonomía Personal during the years 2022-2023 with the aim of having updated information on the care provided by families to elderly people living in their homes and to see how it has evolved compared to previous studies.

One of the conclusions is that the degree of kinship between caregivers and older adults is very close. 58% are daughters or sons. At a considerable distance is the partner (14% and decreasing), almost equalled by grandchildren, who represent 13.4% of caregivers when in 2004 they accounted for 5.5%. In contrast, the presence of daughters-in-law and sons-in-law among caregivers continues to decrease and represent 8.8% (10.1% in 2004).

One of the conclusions is that the degree of kinship between the caregivers and the elderly is very close. 58% are daughters or sons. A considerable distance away is the partner (14% and decreasing), almost equaled by grandchildren, who represent 13.4% of caregivers compared to 5.5% in 2004. On the other hand, the presence of daughters-in-law and sons-in-law among caregivers continues to decrease, accounting for 8.8% (10.1% in 2004).

The grandchildren caregivers

Seven out of ten have offered themselves

The role of grandchild caregivers is significant because it is mostly a chosen role. Almost seven out of ten say they have offered to take care of their grandfather or grandmother, while less than half (48.4%) of sons or daughters admit to caregiving on their own initiative, suggesting a shift in intergenerational relationships and a greater diversification in the people assuming caregiving responsibilities.

Except in the case of grandchildren, the willingness to offer care is generally decreasing: in 2004, 62% of caregivers said they did so voluntarily, while in the 2022 study this was only the case for 49%. Meanwhile, the instances where help is provided due to a family decision have doubled, increasing from 23% to 49%.

The authors of the report believe that it is related to a greater shared responsibility among all family members when deciding who will take care of the elderly person and also to the increasing trend of dividing these care tasks between family members and external professionals.

Despite this increased shared responsibility and greater involvement of men, the report highlights that the distribution of care tasks is far from equal and continues to disproportionately burden women with a greater share of the main tasks, particularly those related to hygiene or incontinence, which are the ones that men find most unpleasant.

Women continue to do tasks related to hygiene or incontinence, which are the most unpleasant for men"

Evolution of family carePilares Foundation

As a result, and taking into account that the current profile of caregivers is not that of a housewife but rather of women who have been incorporated into the workforce for years and have a medium-high level of education, the feeling of burden and discomfort is greater among caregivers than among male caregivers.

According to the study, in two thirds of the cases analyzed, the older person receives daily care from their family members, who invest an average of 34.3 hours per week, which are complemented by an additional 17 hours provided by external assistance.