Caregiving Dynamics for Older Adults in Developing Contexts

In many low- and middle-income settings, family members provide the vast majority of care for older adults, drawing on traditions of intergenerational solidarity and filial obligation. Rapid demographic ageing, rising life expectancy and shifts in household structure have coincided with economic migration, urbanisation and changing gender roles, placing new pressures on informal caregiving networks. Caregivers—predominantly female relatives—often juggle domestic responsibilities, paid work and health-care tasks without formal training or institutional support, leading to physical, psychological and financial strain. Despite these challenges, innovative community-based models have emerged, including participatory palliative programmes, peer-support groups and training initiatives that capitalise on local social capital. Macro-level interventions—such as policy frameworks recognising caregiver contributions, cash-transfer schemes and integration of elder care into primary health systems—are increasingly advocated to bolster resilience in both caregivers and care recipients. A nuanced understanding of cultural norms, gender dynamics and resource constraints is essential to crafting equitable and sustainable care strategies that uphold dignity and quality of life for older adults across diverse developing contexts.

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Caregiving Dynamics for Older Adults in Developing Contexts publication trend

The graph below shows the total number of articles in caregiving dynamics for older adults in developing contexts across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).

Technical terms

Informal caregiving: Unpaid care provided by family or community members without formal training.

Filial obligation: Cultural norm prescribing children’s duty to support and care for ageing parents.

Caregiver burden: Multidimensional strain experienced by individuals providing ongoing care, including physical, emotional and financial stress.

Activities of Daily Living (ADL): Basic self-care tasks such as bathing, dressing and eating.

Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADL): Complex activities needed for independent living, such as managing finances, shopping and housekeeping.

Palliative care: Holistic approach aimed at improving quality of life for patients with serious illness and supporting their families.

References

1. Understanding intergenerational dynamics and social support’s impact on health and well-being of older adults in South Asia: a scoping review. Systematic Reviews (2025).
2. Cost and burden of informal caregiving of dependent older people in a rural Indian community. BMC Health Services Research (2014).
3. Understanding caregiver burden and quality of life in Kerala’s primary palliative care program: a mixed methods study from caregivers and providers’ perspectives. International Journal for Equity in Health (2024).
4. Exploring the positive aspects of caregiving among family caregivers of the older adults in India. Frontiers in Public Health (2023).
5. Dignity and the provision of care and support in ‘old age homes’ in Tamil Nadu, India: a qualitative study. BMC Geriatrics (2022).