Grandchildren engage in intergenerational care to relieve parental pressure: early grandparent-grandchild bonds prove crucial

To understand the responsibilities and roles assumed by grandchildren in caring for their grandparents, the Asia-Pacific Institute of Ageing Studies at Lingnan University conducted an in-depth interview study, which shows that having been looked after by grandparents in childhood is a major reason why grandchildren are willing to take on intergenerational caregiving responsibilities for their own grandparents; another key motivation is the desire to alleviate their parents’ burden. However, the study highlights a common dilemma faced by grandchildren acting as carers: a lack of nursing knowledge and skills. Furthermore, as more families employ foreign domestic helpers for childcare, this shift in caregiving models may weaken the traditional role of grandparents, which could in turn affect the long-term intergenerational eldercare support network. These findings have been published in the leading international academic journal International Journal of Social Welfare.

Click HERE to view the details.