Poverty and family solidarity: a case-study of Portuguese aged population

In Portugal, the eldest remain particularly vulnerable to poverty: 30% of the population aged 65 and over live below the poverty line. Does poverty mean less family solidarity? To answer this question we used data from a sample survey of 1100 elderly. From a categorical principal components analysis based on variables of monetary poverty, of poverty according to living conditions and of subjective poverty, we define a multiple index of poverty. Structural and functional intergenerational family solidarities (Bengtson and Roberts, 1991) were studied within groups according to their level of poverty describe by this multiple index. We found that Portugal does not follow the tendency of the majority of European countries where living alone in old age can be an option made possible by the improvement of the living conditions of this segment of population. In Portugal, the poorest elderly are those who live alone or who live far from an adult child. The geographical distance between residences of elderly parents and the adult descendents determines the frequency of the contacts. Visits are less frequent in the poorest group when the parents dwelling place are situated at a medium distance far away from their sons or daughters' domicile. The poorest elderly also have less phone contacts with their offsprings. Family loneliness is then more significant in this social group. However, when one analyzes the exchanges between elderly and their descendents, one notes that the poorest elderly obtain and provide care to their children more often than elderly from others social groups. All things considered, structural intergenerational family solidarities are less intense in the poorest group but functional solidarities are more expressive. This last fact may contribute to reduce agedrelated inequalities but at the same time reinforces gender inequalities considering that exchanges are mainly supported by women

Informal support in Portugal by individuals aged 50+

In Portugal, individuals aged 50+ have an important role in the provision of co-residential care. This study aimed to rank Portugal relative to 15 European countries with regard to the prevalence of co-residential care (daily or almost daily personal care), and extra-residential help/care (household help and/or personal care) provided by individuals aged 50?, and determine the factors associated with the provision of these types of support in the Portuguese context. The study used data from the SHARE wave 4 project (2010–2011) and was based on an analysis of variance and logistic regression models. Portugal differs from other European countries, as it has the highest rate of coresidential care (12.4 %) and the lowest rate of provision of extra-residential help/care (10.8 %). It is concluded that the quality of life (QoL) of Portuguese co-residential carers is lower than the QoL of non-carers, but extra-residential help/care provided once a month or less has a positive impact on the QoL of the providers. Co-residential care and the provision of frequent extra-residential help/care (daily or weekly) were associated with a higher number of depressive symptoms. The results further showed that, in Portugal, oresidential carers and extra-residential helpers/carers have different socio-demographic, economic and health characteristics. This study demonstrates that it is important for scientific research to differentiate the type and frequency of informal support, since this can help us design policies to meet the specific needs of the various types of informal carers aged 50+.This study was funded by the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology–FCT (SFRH/BD/72257/ 2010), and SHARE w4 data collection in Portugal was financed by European Commission (Employment, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities DG, grant number VS/2009/0562) and Portuguese High Commissioner for Health.SFRH/BD72257/2010; VS/2009/056

A Qualidade de Vida (QdV) de quem cuida no domicílio depois dos 50 anos: análise da realidade portuguesa

A prestação de cuidados informais no domicílio, por indivíduos de idades avançadas, adquiriu uma dimensão e importância sem precedentes na sociedade portuguesa, em consequência, nomeadamente, das alterações sócio-demográficas registadas. Recorrendo a uma análise de regressão linear múltipla, procurou-se compreender em que medida a prestação de cuidados domiciliários em Portugal, por indivíduos de 50 e mais anos, condiciona a Qualidade de Vida (QdV) daqueles que a asseguram. A partir dos dados do projeto europeu SHARE – vaga 4, conclui-se que existem diferenças significativas entre cuidadores domiciliários e não cuidadores e que a prestação de cuidados reduz a QdV dos idosos que os garantem. Estes resultados apontam para a necessidade de criar respostas sociais e de saúde dirigidas a estes indivíduos.La prestación de cuidados informales en el domicilio por parte de individuos de edades avanzadas ha adquirido una dimensión e importancia sin precedentes en la sociedad portuguesa como consecuencia de las alteraciones demográficas producidas. Mediante análisis de regresión lineal múltiple se analiza en qué medida la prestación de cuidados en el domicilio por parte de individuos de 50 o más años influye sobre su calidad de vida. De estos datos derivados del proyecto europeo SHARE- cuarta ronda- se concluye que existen diferencias significativas entre cuidadores domiciliarios y no cuidadores en el sentido de que la prestación de cuidados reduce la calidad de vida de los mayores que los prestan. Los resultados apuntan la necesidad de dar respuestas tanto sociales como de salud dirigidas a este colectivo.SFRH/BD/72257/2010; VS/2009/056

Introdução

Neste número da Revista Configurações apresentamos um conjunto de artigos estruturados em torno dos conceitos sociais de geração e de género. Mereceram particular atenção as transformações das relações intra e intergeracionais e as relações de género, por um lado, e o processo de construção das identidades associadas a estas categorias sociais, por outro. A abrir este número, Michel Loriaux interroga-se sobre uma questão no vértice da actualidade, a do impacto da actual crise económica e fina..

Velhice, institucionalização e redes sociais

As redes de suporte emocional contribuem para o envelhecimento bem-sucedido e traduzem potenciais recursos mobilizáveis em momentos de fragilidade dos indivíduos. Este estudo de caso visa caracterizar, numa perspectiva sociológica, as redes de suporte emocional de indivíduos com idades compreendidas entre os 50 e os 90 anos, procedendo a uma análise comparativa que tem em conta o seu contexto institucional de vida .A amostra é constituída por 64 indivíduos residentes na Região Norte do país, enquadrados por diversas IPSS nas respostas sociais de Lar, Centro de Dia ou Apoio Domiciliário. Enveredando por uma perspectiva de análise não convencional (Social Network Analysis), este estudo adoptou como unidade principal de observação, a própria rede de suporte emocional dos indivíduos. Os principais resultados obtidos convergem com a literatura consultada, evidenciando a frequência de contacto mais reduzida nas redes dos indivíduos em lares residenciais, comparativamente às redes dos indivíduos em Centro de Dia e Apoio Domiciliário. Os indivíduos que recebem Apoio Domiciliário são os que possuem as redes de maior dimensão e densidade, manifestando também uma maior satisfação com a sua rede de suporte emocional.The emotional support networks contribute to successful aging and represent potential resources that can be mobilized in times of individuals’ frail. This case study aims to characterize, in a sociological perspective, the emotional support networks of individuals aged between 50 and 90 years, carrying out a comparative analysis, which takes into account the institutional context of their lives. The sample consists of 64 individuals who received help/care at home, attend Day Care Centres or live in nursing homes in the North of Portugal. Using an unconventional perspective of analysis (Social Network Analysis), this study adopted the emotional support network of individuals as main unit of observation. The results converge with literature, showing a lower frequency of contact within networks of individuals in nursing homes, compared to the networks of individuals in Day Care Centres and receiving help/care at home. These last ones have the larger and denser networks and also express greater satisfaction with their emotional support network

Responsabilidade social organizacional: a gestão filantrópica numa empresa multinacional

A responsabilidade social das organizações convida-as a não se orientarem exclusivamente por critérios economicistas, introduzindo a ética e a filantropia nas tomadas de decisão, critérios que contribuem para a sustentabilidade da organização, garantindo ativos intangíveis imprescindíveis. A filantropia continua umbilicalmente associada à responsabilidade social das organizações, podendo ser uma expressão/manifestação ou uma dimensão da responsabilidade social das organizações. A responsabilidade social e a filantropia são, por vezes, tidas como sinónimos, todavia a filantropia não pode limitar o escopo da responsabilidade social, assim como a responsabilidade social não se pode limitar à filantropia. A investigação de que daremos conta sustentou-se num estudo de caso e decorreu numa unidade fabril que integra um grupo empresarial de dimensão multinacional, cujo escopo é a produção de equipamentos tecnológicos para o setor automóvel. Recenseamos da literatura um conjunto de indicadores atinentes à filantropia para refletir sobre a diversidade de práticas filantrópicas. A filantropia granjeou atenção e esforços crescentes, justificáveis pelo contexto de crise económica e financeira que reavivou as necessidades de assistência social, estimulando ligações com a comunidade. Os dados empíricos relativos a esta dimensão de responsabilidade social organizacional serão analisados num quadro teórico composto pelos conceitos de instituição e legitimidade, da teoria institucional

Voluntariado empresarial: uma estratégia para a sustentabilidade organizacional

A globalização, os impactos económicos, sociais e ecológicos, a alteração da relação entre as organizações e as entidades interessadas favoreceram a mudança de padrão e comportamentos organizacionais e mudaram as bases da sustentabilidade organizacional. A Responsabilidade Social Organizacional institucionalizou-se progressivamente como campo de gestão associado à transparência, ética e cidadania, geradoras de capital simbólico associado à reputação e à legitimação. Nesta reorientação estratégica da relação das organizações com o ambiente onde operam, o voluntariado empresarial aflora como um instrumento de criação de valor económico e social. Este tem amplitude interna e externa, mobilizando colaboradores, organizações e comunidades. A sua adoção tem atraído uma preferência crescente pelas pressões institucionais para a isomorfização, pela melhoria do capital social organizacional ou pelo reconhecimento das vantagens económicas inerentes. Muito embora as motivações sejam distintas (altruístas, ideológicas e/ou materiais), as vantagens convergem para a maximização do potencial humano dos recursos envolvidos e da sustentabilidade organizacional. Constata-se uma melhoria das atitudes face ao trabalho, por via da maior identificação com a organização e um aumento do capital social pela confiança e cooperação cívica recrutadas. O voluntariado empresarial, sempre que integrado na cadeia de valor organizacional, contribui para a sustentabilidade da organização, dado que atua como uma plataforma de oportunidades que pode ser ativada/estimulada pelos colaboradores que o desejam, pela organização que o propõe e pelas comunidades que o reclamam. Esta é uma plataforma que alcança a dimensão económica, ambiental e social e as equilibra, tomando nota das necessidades a suprir pela antevisão de novas tendências, constituindo-se assim numa vantagem competitiva e comparativa. Esta reflexão tem natureza conceptual e adota os seguintes objetivos: 1) identificar vantagens do voluntariado empresarial, enquanto gerador de ativos intangíveis, nas estratégias organizacionais; 2) problematizar a adequação de práticas de gestão de recursos humanos ao voluntariado empresarial

The protective role of the Internet in depression for Europeans aged 50+ living alone

Depression is a significant and limiting health problem, and living alone has been identified as an essential determinant of depressive symptoms in middle-aged and older adults. This study looks at this relationship by introducing a new factor into the equation—the Internet—which has become increasingly relevant for communication and interaction. It aims to assess to what extent the use of the Internet can mitigate the association between living alone and depression in middle-aged and older adults. This study focuses on a sample of 64,260 individuals aged 50+ who are resident in Portugal, Greece, Italy, Spain, Denmark, Sweden, Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Switzerland, Luxemburg, Poland, Czech Republic, Slovenia, Estonia, and Croatia and were surveyed in the context of the SHARE project (Survey of Health, Ageing, and Retirement in Europe), Wave 6. The results showed that living alone relates to greater odds of depression. Nevertheless, of particular relevance is that they also evidenced that the Internet has a moderating role on this relationship, revealing a protective role, since Europeans aged 50+ who live alone and are Internet users are less likely to experience depression than other older adults. The findings reinforce the importance of policies aimed at digital inclusion to benefit the mental health of older adults who live alone in Europe

Health impact of providing informal care in Portugal

Background: Middle-aged and older adults play an important role in the provision of informal support, however, the impact on the health of those individuals who provide informal care is unclear. The main objectives of this study are: (1) to assess the prevalence of co-residential caregiving provided by individuals aged 50+; (2) to analyze differences between the group of Portuguese co-residential caregivers and the group of Portuguese non-caregivers; (3) to examine the longitudinal effect of providing informal care on the health of co-residential informal caregivers in Portugal. Methods Data from wave 4 and wave 6 of the Survey of Health Ageing and Retirement in Europe (SHARE) were used. A linear mixed model and a generalized mixed model were used to analyze the longitudinal effect of providing informal care on the health (physical health and depressive symptoms) of Portuguese individuals aged 50 + . Results In both SHARE waves analyzed, Portugal had the highest percentage of co-residential caregivers aged 50+. At baseline, the Portuguese co-residential caregiver population, compared to non-caregivers, has a lower percentage of employed individuals (14.9% compared to 25.7%) and a higher percentage of individuals with four or more depressive symptoms (56.4% compared to 35.5%). The caregivers also have a lower quality of life (CASP-12) (30.93 compared to 32.59). Marginal differences in educational levels between the caregiver and non-caregiver groups were also found, with co-residential caregivers having lower levels of education (72.3% have ISCED 0–2 compared to 64.7%), lower levels of cognitive function (− 2.321 compared to − 1.784), lower levels of physical health (− 0.180 compared to − 0.076) and lower engagement in moderate or vigorous physical activity (14.9% compared to 21.5%). Longitudinal models reveal that providing care within the household is not associated with physical health (b = 0.048; se = 0.035; p = 0.167), but is associated with depressive symptoms (OR = 1.609; 95% CI = 1.141–2.271; p = < 0.010). Conclusions Portugal has the highest percentage of co-residential caregivers aged 50+. In that country, providing informal care to a household member is associated with depressive symptoms. Portuguese policymakers should therefore promote programs to prevent and alleviate the depressive symptoms experienced by individuals aged 50+, who provide co-residential care.PINFRA/22209/2016; VS/2009/0562; Fundação Calouste Gulbenkian. SHARE data collection has been primarily funded by the European Commission through FP5 (QLK6-CT-2001-00360), FP6 (SHARE-I3: RII-CT-2006-062193, COMPARE: CIT5-CT-2005-028857, SHARELIFE: CIT4-CT-2006-028812) and FP7 (SHARE-PREP: N°211909, SHARELEAP: N°227822, SHAREM4: N°261982). Additional funding from the German Ministry of Education and Research, the U.S. National Institute on Aging (U01_AG09740-13S2, P01_AG005842, P01_AG08291, P30_AG12815, R21_AG025169, Y1-AG-4553-01, IAG_BSR06–11, OGHA_04–064) and from various national funding sources is gratefully acknowledged (see www.share-project.org). In Portugal, the SHARE project has been funded by Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation and by FCT / MCTES through national funds (PIDDAC) and co-financed by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), through the Operational Program PORNorte and PORLisboa, AACN° 01 / SAICT / 2016, Application n° 022209 - DATALA

Do European co-residential caregivers aged 50+ have an increased risk of frailty?

One important health challenge associated with ageing is frailty, which has been acknowledged as a new public health priority. However, only a few studies have explored the relationship between providing care at older ages and frailty. The main objective of this study is to assess whether there is an association between providing co-residential care and frailty, according to gender and from a European cross-sectional perspective, among the population aged 50+. Data from 17 European countries that participated in wave 6 of the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe (SHARE) is used (N = 52,073). Multinomial logistic regressions were used to estimate caregivers' chances of frailty. The results show that the prevalence of pre-frailty and frailty differs according to the caregiver's status, gender and the European region. The highest prevalence of pre-frailty was found in the group of female caregivers from Northern countries (57.3%), and the highest prevalence of frailty was found in the group of female caregivers from Southern countries (29.3%). Providing co-residential care is positively associated with the risk of being pre-frail in women, in all European regions (Northern: OR 1.724, 95% CI 1.190-2.496; Central: OR 1.213, 95% CI 1.010-1.456; Eastern: OR 1.227, 95% CI 1.031-1.460; Southern: OR 1.343, 95% CI 1.103-1.634), and with being frail for both genders in the Southern region (female: OR 1.527, 95% CI 1.060-2.200; male: OR 1.644, 95% CI 1.250-2.164). The results of this study suggest that female co-residential caregivers are a greater risk of being pre-frail in all European regions except Southern Europe, where male and female co-residential caregivers are a greater risk of being frail, compared with non-caregivers. European policy makers should create political measures to prevent and reverse frailty among European co-residential caregivers.European Commission. Grant Numbers: QLK6‐CT‐2001‐00360, RII‐CT‐2006‐062193, CIT5‐CT‐2005‐028857, CIT4‐CT‐2006‐028812, 211909, 227822, 261982; Horizon 2020. Grant Numbers: 676536, 654221; DG Employment, Social Affairs & Inclusion; German Ministry of Education and Research; Max Planck Society for the Advancement of Science; U.S. National Institute on Aging. Grant Numbers: U01_AG09740‐13S2, P01_AG005842, P01_AG08291, P30_AG12815, R21_AG025169, Y1‐AG‐4553‐01, IAG_BSR06‐11, OGHA_04‐064, HHSN271201300071C