Caring and cared for: Eldercare for lower class people in late Imperial Russia

This article explores the challenges of eldercare in the Russian Empire for lower-class people at the turn of the twentieth century, by juxtaposing three approaches- the ways in which the state compelled lower-class communities to provide care, the expectations of lower-class communities and individuals about the provision of care, and the lived experiences of the lower-class elderly. These approaches expose the unrealised expectations and inherent disappointment of eldercare- state, community and individuals all shared aspirations that care should be provided, but all groups were dissatisfied by the outcomes. While kindness and compassion were without doubt a part of many older people’s lived experiences, eldercare was meagre and rudimentary across the board for lower-class people. In rural spaces, care provision was patchy and often unreliable. In urban spaces, where established community and kin networks were usually absent, provision of care was even more inconsistent.