Families with Elderly : Are They 'Empty Nests'

The question addressed in this paper is how families with elderly living in are organizing themselves to face populational ageing, a major children economic dependency and the reduction of the role of the State. Are they "empty nests"? Co-residence and elderly increase in family size may be a familiar strategy utilized to benefit both older and younger generations. In Brazil, this seems to be related to better living conditions. It benefits elderly and children, but there are indications that the younger generations are the most beneficiaries. In Brazil, elderly in general live with children. In 86% of families with elderly living in, elderly are the heads or spouses. A minor proportion of elderly lives in relative's households. These are older, poorer, work-lesser, report worse health conditions and less autonomy. There is indication that in some degree that they need the help of children. This dependency may be associated to the ageing, the up-rise of chronicle diseases and physical disability. One conclusion is that the relationship between ageing and "dependency" is not clear. A question raised is about the definition of elderly population. Old age is considered to start at 60. This is based on the definition given by the Elderly National Policy. Nevertheless, it does not mean that all such people have similar levels of vulnerability and dependence. Actually, a great proportion of the elderly are still playing social roles, such as continuing on with their economic activities and caring for grandchildren. It is assumed here, that the elderly group is a heterogeneous group composed of people who participate in the economic process and by others in need of care, support, etc. To finalize, it is assumed that the relationship between co-residence and well-being depends on the socio-economic context, the social policies as well as on individual characteristics and preferences