Family caregiving in a super-diverse context

4. Facts and figures

Which statements concerning family care and super-diversity are true?

Your answers

1). On average, more than one third of the European population are informal carers.

Your answer

True

False

Correct answer

This statement is true, however, there are differences between countries. A study conducted in 2017 by Verbakel and colleagues shows that 37.9% of the Belgian population are informal cares. The same study indicates that this percentage is 30.8% in the United Kingdom, 32.9% in Portugal and 36.6% in Germany.

2). 35% of all long-term care in Europe is provided by family carers.

Your answer

True

False

correct answer

This statement is false. The actual percentage is much higher. A study conducted in 2010 by Hoffmann and Rodrigues demonstrates that 80% of all long-term care in Europe is provided by family carers. Family carers do not only provide physical care, but also psychological and social support, help with groceries, administration, transport, etc.

3). Informal carers, and especially female and intensive carers, report higher levels of mental wellbeing.

Your answer

True

False

Correct answer

This statement is false. Informal carers, and especially female and intensive carers, report lower levels of mental wellbeing. Professionals play a major role in timely determining when informal carers are in need of help themselves and guide them towards appropriate care services.

4). Collaboration with informal carers requires a different way of functioning for professionals.

Your answer

True

False

Correct answer

This statement is true. Professionals should not only enable the participation of the care receiver but also support informal carers by working in collaboration with them.

5). Diversity needs to be taken into account since it influences the care process.

Your answer

True

False

Correct answer

This statement is true. For example, older migrants’ care preferences are partly influenced by aspects that are strongly connected to language, culture and religion. For older adults in general, access to formal care services is sometimes hampered by a lack financial resources.