Definition

Percentage of older population aged 55+ providing unpaid voluntary work through the organisations

Goal (rationale)

To capture non-market unpaid productive activities of older population offered in the form of organised voluntary activities.

Survey question

Please look carefully at the list of organisations and tell us, how often did you do unpaid voluntary work through the following organisations in the last 12 months?

1. Community and social services (e.g. organisations helping the elderly, young people, disabled or other people in need).
2. Educational, cultural, sports or professional associations Social movements (for example environmental, human rights)or charities (for example fundraising, campaigning)
3. Other voluntary organisations

Source

EQLS

Year

2011

Notes

Voluntary work undertaken through the organisations is captured, thus missing out on informal voluntary activities often undertaken by older people. This definition may introduce systematic bias against some countries (e.g. Poland) where there are lower levels of organised volunteering activities.

Definition

Percentage of older population aged 55+ providing care to their children, grandchildren (at least once a week)

Goal (rationale)

To capture activity of older populations in the form of care provision to their own children or grandchildren.

Survey question

In general, how often are you involved in any of the following activities outside of work?
a. Caring for your children, grandchildren
1. Every day; 2. Several days a week
3. Once or twice a week
4. Less often 5. Never

Source

EQLS

Year

2011

Notes

No restriction for resident or non-resident children in this definition of the indicator, and also no age restriction for children, grandchildren. The restriction applied is that the care provision should be at least once a week. The occasional care, provided less than once a week, is not included in the indicator.

Definition

Percentage of older population aged 55+ providing care to elderly or disabled relatives (at least once a week)

Goal (rationale)

To capture valuable activities of older populations in the form of care provision to older adults.

Survey question

c. Caring for elderly or disabled relatives
1. Every day; 2. Several days a week
3. Once or twice a week
4. Less often
5. Never

Source

EQLS

Year

2011

Notes

It includes care provision for resident as well as non-resident adults and not just the elderly but also the disabled relatives. The occasional care, provided less than once a week, is not included in the indicator.

Definition

Percentage of older population aged 55+ taking part in the activities of meeting of a trade union, a political party or political action group

Goal (rationale)

To capture the wider participation of older population in political and trade union activities and thus their abilities to influence decision making of these organisations.

Survey question

Over the last 12 months, have you …?

1. Attended a meeting of a trade union, a political party or political action group;
2. Attended a protest or demonstration;
3. Contacted a politician or public official (other than routine contact arising from use of public services)
   
   
   1 Yes
   2 No

Source

EQLS

Year

2011

Notes

Participation recorded not just in political parties but also in trade union activities is included here.