The Elderly as Family Caregivers

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Abstract
The experiences of elderly persons caring for elderly family members at home were examined by means of in-depth interviews with fourty-seven subjects in Montreal and seven in England. The analysis of the Montreal sample revealed that denial of fears and unwillingness to think about the future, as well as negative assessments of cared-for-person's health were more prevalent in women than in men. Women also mentioned more frequently that religious beliefs influenced their caregiving and seemed to feel more strongly the impact and burden caregiving placed on them. Experiences with old people in earlier life was associated with low burden scores; few visitors and a belief that cared-for-person was critical of them were associated with high burden scores. Suggestions for further research and recommendations for supportive services to caregivers are made.

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