foreldreomsorg

Foreldreomsorg refers to informal, unpaid care provided by adult children or other relatives to aging, ill, or disabled parents, typically at home. It can include help with daily activities, transportation to appointments, medication management, personal care, and coordination of health and social services.

The need for foreldreomsorg arises from aging populations, chronic illness, and the desire to remain in a familiar home environment. It is often influenced by cultural expectations and family norms, and it complements formal health care and municipal home care services.

Caregivers are usually family members, frequently women, who balance caregiving with work and other responsibilities. Providing foreldreomsorg can be time-consuming and physically and emotionally demanding, potentially affecting employment, income, and well-being, though some derive meaning and strengthened family ties.

Societal implications include economic value for the care system, as informal caregiving can reduce the need for institutional care. However, informal caregiving can impose opportunity costs and gender disparities, and caregivers may require support to sustain their responsibilities.

Policy and service responses include respite care, caregiver training, counseling, and financial or tax benefits in some countries, as well as employer policies for flexible hours or paid leave. Strengthening formal home care and day services can relieve the burden on families while protecting patient autonomy.

Context and prevalence vary by country and culture, making foreldreomsorg a key topic in discussions of aging, health policy, and social welfare.