The role of the family in the institutionalisation of older persons : a Maltese case study

Abstract

Institutionalisation of older persons, whether Government-run or private homes, is an irrevocable feature of the fabric of modern society. "The social environment within which people grow older is rapidly changing. The size of families is decreasing, the role of extended families is diminishing, and perceptions in respect of intergenerational support and caring for older persons are rapidly changing" (United Nations, 2007: V111). The arguments as to whether this is desirable or not is endless. There is a tipping point which makes the choice of choosing freely to leave one's home or the home of a relative in favor of going to an institutions. The objective of this study is to probe non-judgmentally into the factors that led to that decision and determine the extent that family and friends had on individual elderly residents' decision to opt for institutionalisation. In the ideal world, the tipping point is a moment of convergence where all people concerned arrive at a unanimous decision that the time has come where the pros outweigh the cons for taking the decisive step. In reality, this ideal is either postponed unnecessarily to the point where the older adults are utterly hopeless in being cared for by family members or hurried because home-care becomes a social nuisance for carers. This study does not enter into these merits but accepts them as given. On the other hand, this reports attempts to investigate the extent to which the family's involvement is a crucial factor in the process that led to the institutionalisation of older residents. It may be surmised that older people who do not have the support of family members or friends might be at a disadvantage in recognizing that tipping point where it would be in their best interests to apply for admission to a home.