The Contributions of the Over 70s to Irish Society: Results from Wave 5 of the Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing

Abstract

31% of adults (132,200 people) aged over 70 provide help and care for their spouses, relatives (not including grandchildren), neighbours and friends. 5% (21,100) of adults aged 70 years and over are caregivers who provide care for a median of 25 hours (range 5 to 16 hours/month). However, there are a small number of people giving very high numbers of hours of care, with an average of 64 hours per month. The majority (65%; 13,700) of those aged over 70 who report being a caregiver have become a caregiver in the last 5 years. 2 in 5 (38%) are caring for a spouse, 55% for another relative and the remainder for friends and neighbours. For those who provide help with activities of daily living (ADLs), a very small number provide it to their parents (<0.5%; <100 people), while the majority are providing care for other relatives. Overall, 29% (131,700) of the population aged over 70 provide childcare for their grandchildren, with the median number of hours in the last month for those who provided care being 16 hours (Interquartile range 8–40). 23,400 adults aged 70 years and over provide more than 40 hours in the past month. This was equal to 1 in 5 of all grandparents over 70 who provided care to a grandchild. 206,800 (47%) adults aged 70 years and over volunteered in the last year. 75,200 (17%) adults aged 70 years and over volunteer every week. 330,400 (60%) adults aged 70 years and over enjoy regular social and leisure activities. Of those adults aged 70 years and over who have living parents, 1 in 4 (1,200) were in contact with their own parents several times each week. 117,600 (28%) adults over 70 had four or more regular contacts