Grandparents as Carers - Trends & Support Services in Europe
As part of the NGOs Coalition for the 2012 European Year of Active Ageing and Solidarity Between Generations Eurochild decided to commission a small study to examine the situation of grandparents as carers in Europe.
The methodology was to conduct a literature review of existing research, supported by an online survey of NGOs in the field and case studies of interesting support practices.
The research confirmed that families are changing through demographic trends and evolving trends in family choices and lifestyles. Economic factors, such as increased female employment, longer working lives and the need to move regions for work are also impacting on families. So, whilst grandparents have always played an important role in families and the lives of children, that role is necessarily evolving.
