Supporting family carers of older people in Europe

Malta has an extensive formal care provision. In the field of ageing there is a wide range of services available for the elderly and for their carers aimed at improving the quality of life of the elderly while maintaining them in their own homes, community and environment. However, the majority of care for the elderly is still provided by the family members. This publication is the first nation-wide report concerning the state of family members taking care of older relatives in the Maltese Islands. It investigates the socio-economic conditions of these carers while analysing their changing role and status, their needs and problems resulting from the various changes which Maltese society and family are passing through.