WOMEN WITH MULTIPLE ROLES - THE EMOTIONAL IMPACT OF CARING FOR AGING PARENTS

As part of a wider study of family caregiving, a sample of 297 women c aring for an ageing parent were identified through a random statewide telephone survey involving over 26,000 households in Victoria, Austral ia. In addition to elder care, half these women were in paid employmen t and a third had dependent children. Overload was highest for carers with multiple roles, particularly those of parent or worker. Resentmen t in the caring role was highest for those who had fewer roles apart f rom elder care, particularly those who had quit work, and those withou t a partner. Life satisfaction was higher for partnered and working ca rers. These findings highlight the need for structures to support care rs to maintain multiple roles, including greater flexibility in the wo rkplace and encouragement of greater reliance on informal networks and formal services, both of which require increased societal acknowledgm ent of the elder care role.