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Characteristics of Family/Friend Care Networks of Frail Seniors

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  13 September 2016

Janet Fast ,
Norah Keating ,
Pam Otfinowski  and
Linda Derksen
Janet Fast*
Affiliation:
Department of Human Ecology, University of Alberta
Norah Keating
Affiliation:
Department of Human Ecology, University of Alberta
Pam Otfinowski
Affiliation:
Department of Human Ecology, University of Alberta
Linda Derksen
Affiliation:
Department of Human Ecology, University of Alberta
*
Dr. Janet Fast, 3–02 Human Ecology Building, Department of Human Ecology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2N1 (janet.fast@ualberta.ca)
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Abstract

This paper tests assumptions often made by policy makers and practitioners that networks of family, friends, and neighbours are able to provide sustained care to frail elderly Canadians. Using national survey data, we examined characteristics of the care networks of 1,104 seniors living with a long-term health problem. Care networks were found to vary considerably in size, relationship composition, gender composition, age composition, and proximity, and these network characteristics were found to help explain variations in the types and amounts of care received. As a result, network characteristics that might place seniors at risk of receiving inadequate care (including small size and higher proportions of non-kin, male, and geographically distant members) were identified. These risk factors appear to be poorly reflected in most existing policy.

Résumé

Ce mémoire explore certaines hypothèses souvent formulées par les décideurs et praticiens, à savoir que les réseaux informels, comme la famille, les amis et les voisins, peuvent fournir une aide soutenue aux Canadiens fragilisés âgés. À partir des données d'une enquête nationale, nous avons étudié les caractéristiques des réseaux de soins offerts à 1104 personnes âgées ayant une affection chronique. Nous avons constaté que les réseaux de soins différaient considérablement par la taille, la composition des relations, des sexes et de l'âge, et la proximité, et ces caractéristiques permettaient d'expliquer les variations entre le type et la quantité de soins reçus. Nous avons pu ainsi identifier certaines caractéristiques pouvant être préjudiciables aux personnes âgées parce qu'elles se traduisent par des soins inadéquats (p. ex., petits réseaux, forte proportion d'intervenants sans lien de parenté avec la personne âgée, forte proportion d'hommes, et éloignement géographique). Pourtant ces facteurs de risque ne semblent pas pris en compte dans les politiques actuelles.

Keywords

care networksnetwork analysisinformal carefamily/friend careagingréseaux de soinsanalyse du réseausoins « informels »vieillissement
Type
Research Article
Information
Canadian Journal on Aging / La Revue canadienne du vieillissement , Volume 23 , Issue 1 , Spring 2004 , pp. 5 - 19
Copyright
Copyright © Canadian Association on Gerontology 2004

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