I. Introduction
Current Gerontological research is revealing a decreasing trend of family-provided or informal care for the elderly in less developed countries (LDCs). Unquestionably, this is in reaction to the issue raised in several developing countries that conventional types of family care are starting to collapse because of various forces, like shifting family behaviour, patterns and structure, and the transition from an agriculture-based economy to an ever more modernised, urbanised, and industrialised economy (Kyung Do 2008). Historically, large, extended family units work their land together and also share in the duties associated with eldercare. As societies become more developed, the trend is for younger generations to leave the larger family unit and land to live and work in more urban areas. Mothers and fathers too must often be away during the day to earn wages, leaving elders unsupported at home Without the basic social services and assistance, the vulnerable elderly in LDCs are a group exposed to significant risk. Nevertheless, according to Williams (2000), at present, majority of empirical findings indicate that a significant portion of the elderly population in developing countries depends on their own job or their families as their sole protection at later life periods.
One important variable effecting family-provided elder care is the necessity for women to contribute to their family’s wellbeing financially by being part of the labour force. Globally, the proportion of women in the work force grew significantly between 1970 and 1990 with two notable exceptions, sub-Saharan Africa and ex-Soviet Union, where the rate dropped to some extent (Mueller 2000, 2). Former Soviet Union, sub-Saharan Africa, Eastern and Southeast Asia areas have the highest percentages of women in the workforce, whereas Southern and Western Asia and North Africa have the lowest (Mueller 2000, 2-3). The rate of women’s labour force involvement naturally affects their availability to provide eldercare and therefore the overall level of care received.