Issues challenging future Thai elder care by women and family

Abstract

PurposeThis article aims to present the issues that challenge women and family to provide elder care. It also shows weaknesses of policy that strongly attaches to traditional expectation and does not adapt to actual changes by presenting an example of Thailand.Design/methodology/approachThe review of secondary data.FindingsRapid growth of old age population, fewer number of children, changes in women's roles and women's employment, migration, family and societal changes challenge Thai traditional role of women and family as the main elder care providers. Academicians and policy makers are aware of these challenges, but Thai National Policy on Aging still puts responsibilities back to family.Research limitations/implicationsA limitation is that information is based on available literature. Implication is to stimulate an ongoing research to give feedback to policy.Practical implicationsA top‐down approach can create the gap between policy ideology and reality. This article provides argument information to close the gap and improve policy that better corresponds with actual social changes and life condition of older people, women and family.Social implicationsThis article urges an understanding that family, women and older people are not homogeneous.Originality/valueThis article gives reasons why policy on aging needs to detach from traditional expectation, seriously prepare elder care that corresponds with social changes and provide elder care by family and non‐family.