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This reflective autoethnographic study explores the lived experience of being an only child caring for an elderly mother with Parkinson's disease while working as a full-time lecturer. The research aims to understand how this dual role affects the caregiver's mental health, work productivity, and relationship with the mother. Using a reflective autoethnographic approach based on Ellis, data were collected through three techniques: autobiographical narratives and memos, analysis of personal artifacts (work schedules, medical records, photographs), and an integrated self-interview. Thematic-reflective analysis revealed three main themes. First, structural loneliness describes the profound isolation resulting from having no sibling to share physical, emotional, and decisional responsibilities, which informal support cannot easily remedy. Second, stealth strategies at work refer to hidden tactics such as leaving early without disclosure, using breaks to check on the mother, and concealing caregiving struggles to avoid being perceived as less committed or losing professional opportunities. Third, fought for bonds shows that despite exhaustion and initial frustration, the caregiver’s relationship with her mother deepened through daily effort, patience, and reframing caregiving as meaningful devotion, a process aligned with filial maturity. The findings highlight the unique pressures faced by only-child working caregivers, including invisible productivity loss and the inadequacy of general social support. Practical implications for employers, social workers, and policymakers are discussed. This study contributes a rich first-person account to the underexplored area of only-child caregiving and offers recommendations for workplace cultural change, targeted support groups, and subsidized respite services.

This study analyzes the role of families and caregivers at Panti Sosial Tresna Werdha Wana Seraya Denpasar in implementing elderly care programs and examines the implications of these programs for the quality of life of older adults. Using a qualitative method with an ethnographic approach, data were collected through participant observation, in-depth interviews, and documentation. Two theoretical frameworks guided the analysis: Carrolyn Smith-Morris’ Social Support Theory, which highlights the importance of emotional, informational, and instrumental support for elderly well-being, and Robert J. Havighurst’s Activity Theory, which states that active involvement in social, physical, and spiritual activities enhances happiness and life satisfaction in old age. The findings show that families’ involvement remains limited due to time and distance constraints, yet their emotional presence still contributes positively to the psychological comfort of the elderly. Caregivers play a dominant role in meeting the physical, social, emotional, and spiritual needs of residents. The care program demonstrates positive implications, including improved health stability, increased social interaction, strengthened feelings of appreciation, and enhanced spiritual peace. Additionally, Balinese cultural values such as tatwam asi and menyama braya reinforce empathy, togetherness, and respectful relationships within the care system. The study concludes that synergy between families, caregivers, and local cultural values forms a crucial foundation for a meaningful and humane elderly care system.  

This study analyzes the role of families and caregivers at Panti Sosial Tresna Werdha Wana Seraya Denpasar in implementing elderly care programs and examines the implications of these programs for the quality of life of older adults. Using a qualitative method with an ethnographic approach, data were collected through participant observation, in-depth interviews, and documentation. Two theoretical frameworks guided the analysis: Carrolyn Smith-Morris’ Social Support Theory, which highlights the importance of emotional, informational, and instrumental support for elderly well-being, and Robert J. Havighurst’s Activity Theory, which states that active involvement in social, physical, and spiritual activities enhances happiness and life satisfaction in old age. The findings show that families’ involvement remains limited due to time and distance constraints, yet their emotional presence still contributes positively to the psychological comfort of the elderly. Caregivers play a dominant role in meeting the physical, social, emotional, and spiritual needs of residents. The care program demonstrates positive implications, including improved health stability, increased social interaction, strengthened feelings of appreciation, and enhanced spiritual peace. Additionally, Balinese cultural values such as tatwam asi and menyama braya reinforce empathy, togetherness, and respectful relationships within the care system. The study concludes that synergy between families, caregivers, and local cultural values forms a crucial foundation for a meaningful and humane elderly care system.  

The challenges faced by families of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) in Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps are exacerbated by the unique context of displacement. In Nigeria, the ongoing humanitarian crisis due to conflicts, natural disasters, and other socio-political factors has led to a significant increase in the number of IDPs, with many seeking refuge in camps across the South East and North Central regions. The study adopted a descriptive survey design to explore challenges faced by families of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) in IDP camps in South East and North Central Nigeria. A sample of 80 participants was drawn using a stratified sampling technique. Data were collected through a validated and reliable questionnaire, capturing demographic details and relevant challenges. Descriptive statistics, including mean, standard deviation, variance, and harmonic mean, were used to summarize findings, while hypotheses were tested using Analysis of Variance (ANOVA). Among 80 participants, most caregivers were younger than 35 years (67.5%) and unemployed (46.3%). Financial, emotional, and social challenges varied by caregivers’ age and camp duration. Families staying over 12 months reported higher financial challenges (mean = 18.67, SD = 3.98). Emotional challenges were highest for parents aged 46+ years staying 3 months (mean = 21.67). Social challenges followed similar patterns. ANOVA results showed no significant differences in challenges across groups, emphasizing universal difficulties faced by families. The findings emphasize the urgent need for targeted interventions, including increased awareness campaigns, capacity-building programs for caregivers, and improved access to essential services such as therapy, education, and mental health support within IDP camps.