In the field of ageing there is a wide range of services available for the elderly, but hardly any direct support for caring family carers. Nevertheless, the majority of care for the elderly is provided by family members, especially women (wives and daughters). As a result, caring for the elderly often brings additional costs for the family. This publication presents the legal status and social situation of family carers in Portugal, explains the range of services available for the elderly and their family carers and points out some challenges for the future developments.

This report provides a comprehensive overview of the current state of care services for older people in Slovenia with emphasis on family care. There are numerous services intended for old people in the country, some more, others less accessible and developed, yet almost no support is given to family carers, who still provide the bulk of care to elderly. Recent socio-political developments in the country give hope that the situation and the position of family carers will improve to better.

"his book presents the main results of the European research project EUROFAMCARE. It provides an overview of the current situation of family carers of older people in six European countries in relation to the availability, use and acceptability of support services. The presented findings aim at aiding policy and decision-makers to understand the critical importance of family carers now and in the coming decades to improve their situation and to encourage them in their invaluable work of caring.

"Malta has an extensive formal care provision. In the field of ageing there is a wide range of services available for the elderly and for their carers aimed at improving the quality of life of the elderly while maintaining them in their own homes, community and environment. However, the majority of care for the elderly is still provided by the family members. This publication is the first nation-wide report concerning the state of family members taking care of older relatives in the Maltese Islands. It investigates the socio-economic conditions of these carers while analysing their changing role and status, their needs and problems resulting from the various changes which Maltese society and family are passing through. "

"In FELICIE, the focus is on the health of the elderly, and on the resources at their disposal to cope with the severe impairments liable to affect their quality of life. Not only personal resources - economic well-being and educational attainment - but also the potential support of close kin, i.e. their partner, of course, and their children, if available. This leads to the more specific question of care. One major conclusion of the FELICIE study is that the disabled older adults of the future will fare better, on average, than those of today, both on a personal level, thanks to higher levels of education, and on a social level, thanks to the more frequent presence of their spouse and, at least potentially, their children. The conclusions are based on the experience of nine countries across Europe (north: Finland, Netherlands; west: Belgium, France, Germany, United Kingdom; south: Italy, Portugal; east: Czech Republic). In terms of both demographic and social indicators, the participating countries are fairly representative of their region."--Publisher.

There is no extensive formal care provision or system supporting family carers in Poland. The cohabiting family plays a major role in organizing support for the elderly. Nevertheless, the family carers are not perceived as natural partners for both medical and social services. As a result, caring for the elderly often brings additional costs for the family and restrictions to work and income. This book presents the legal status and social situation of family carers in Poland, explains the range of services available and the possibilities to use help adapted specially for this group.