FAMILY CARE FOR FRAIL OLDER PERSONS: Social Policy Implications for Trinidad and Tobago

While numerous studies and theories have been developed to explore the efficacy of family caregiving, the majority have concentrated on the situation in developed countries and very few have examined ageing and concomitant familial responses within the Caribbean. This thesis provides sociological and social policy insights into family care for frail older persons within a developing country context. Set in Trinidad and Tobago (T&T), the study focussed on 4 key areas: i) Determinants of Caregiving; ii) Experiences of Care; iii) Care Management Strategies; and, iv) Social Policy Implications.

A mixed methods approach to data collection was employed involving a total sample of 320 participants and included the conduct of in-depth interviews and focus groups as well as an online survey. The initial evidence suggests that against a complex backcloth of social, economic, religious and cultural factors, family caregivers in T&T provide significant amounts of support to frail older persons, even in the face of numerous challenges. Family care is underpinned by a strong, enduring and largely implicit notion of duty, yet most carers struggle with limited financial resources and a general lack of alternative sources of care which they can trust. A main recommendation of this study is that a national family care policy should be developed so as to increase the visibility of family caregivers of older persons and that a mix of social support services should be provided to meet the varied needs of family caregivers and their older cared-for relatives.