Don’t take advantage of the ‘granny nannies’
Elderly parents are bailing out their adult children with gifts of cash or assets, while regularly helping to care for their grandchildren too.
The rise of the “granny nannies” is confirmed in a comprehensive Irish study on ageing published yesterday (Wednesday 11 May 2011).
Nearly half of respondents cared for their grandchildren and over a third helped their children with practical household chores.
In contrast, just 9% of older people received financial help from their children.
Lead researcher, Virpi Timonen, said the findings showed the older generation was less of a burden and more of a “bounty” than stereotypes claim.
More than a third of over-50s even give practical household help to children who are not living with them, including shopping and basic chores.
More than 70% of those aged 75 and over, who are most likely to need care themselves live with one of their children. But the most common carer for older people is their spouse, with just 3.5% getting home help services.
Age Action, a charity which promotes positive ageing and better policies and services for older people, said the survey shines a light on the valuable role which older people play, supporting their families and their communities.
Ireland’s Health Minister, James Reilly, said any challenges by the expected increase in the proportion of older people in Ireland’s population can be “successfully met by planning”.
“An ageing population does not mean a sicker population,” he said.
“Advances in medical science have enormous potential to lessen the burden of disease among older people.”
