Sharing in caring: Family caregiving task sharing patterns for older adults in Singapore

Research on family caregiving for older adults has largely focused on primary caregivers. We identify caregiving task sharing patterns among multiple caregivers, including family members and live-in hired workers. In addition, we investigate caregiver and care-recipient characteristics associated with these patterns.

We interviewed 278 primary family caregivers of home-dwelling older adults in Singapore about who provides what assistance across three domains: activities of daily living, health and social services use, and socio-emotional and other needs. Latent class analysis was used to identify caregiving task sharing patterns.

Three patterns were identified: a) ‘Shared-Diverse' (39%) – multiple caregivers assisting in all three domains, b) ‘Shared-Domestic’ (32%) – multiple caregivers assisting with activities of daily living and socio-emotional and other needs, and c) ‘Solo-Diverse’ (29%) – a sole caregiver assisting in all three domains. ‘Solo-Diverse’ caregivers were less likely to be employed and had higher depressive symptoms relative to ‘Shared-Diverse' primary family caregivers.

The predominance of caregiving task sharing patterns involving multiple caregivers calls for expansion of research, policies, and programs beyond primary caregivers. Greater attention should be given to how families and live-in hired workers share caregiving tasks for older adults, and how this varies across cultural settings, especially in familial Asian societies. The findings further highlight the vulnerabilities of solo caregivers, whose employment capacity and mental health may be adversely affected by their caregiving duties. Policymakers should ensure that solo caregivers have access to support programs that address their financial and mental health needs.