Intergenerational Strategies for Sustaining Families and Family Life

Abstract

Families in all their configurations are the key social group within which different generations are embedded and supported. Against a backdrop of normative, social and demographic changes, intergenerational relationships within families are under considerable strain in terms of social and health care as well as economic and infrastructural capacity challenges. This chapter aims to explore how families are/could be supported through formally organized intergenerational programs across a broad array of geographies and contexts. To this end, the inter-connectedness of generations within families is acknowledged and these intergenerational programs-to support and complement the family-are briefly described. In the main, these programs focus on family support in two contexts: caring for older adults with chronic health conditions, and grandparents and other relatives raising children. Some principles and a range of examples on intergenerational strategies for supporting families in both contexts are also provided.