THE NEED FOR SOCIAL SUPPORT PROGRAMS FOR INFORMAL CAREGIVERS IN MALAYSIA

Abstract

Conventionally, informal care is provided by untrained social network members, provided on an unpaid basis and usually from a sense of obligation. This study investigates the need for s of social support programs for informal caregivers and on informal caregivers in three categories of care recipients: care recipients who are in a the child age category, care recipients in the old age group and care recipients who represent the adult age group. These three age categories were selected because each age group involve a varying age group of caregivers, different experiences, problems, types of stress and reservations, needs and also different types of social interventions. The study used a survey method with a quantitative approach. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data from respondents. The findings indicate that social, emotional, financial and physical burdens had equal impact on most caregivers. The study also identified the caregivers’ needs for information, practical help and emotional support. Based on the findings, it is clear that caregiving is no more a private family matter because caregivers’ needs require some form of support from both the formal and informal sectors of care.