Hostname: page-component-cd9895bd7-lnqnp Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-12-27T22:17:13.406Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

Family Disengagement–Myth or Reality: A Follow-up Study After Geriatric Assessment

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  29 November 2010

G. Elaine Stolar
Affiliation:
University of British Columbia
Mary A. Hill
Affiliation:
University of British Columbia
Alanna Tomblin
Affiliation:
University of British Columbia

Abstract

To determine family involvement after geriatric assessment, two groups of patients were followed: a sample of 1981 patients and their caregivers were interviewed in 1981 and 1984: and, a sample of 1983 patients and their caregivers were interviewed in 1984. The findings indicate that nuclear family members retain on-going relationships with their elderly. Kin networks shrink for those elderly without nuclear kin when their mental functioning decreases. Needs and resources change over time.

Résumé

Deux groupes de malades ont été suivis en vue d'apprécier l'intérét manifesté par leur famille à la suite d'une évaluation gériatrique. Un échantillonnage de malades admis en 1981 et de leurs donneurs de soins ont été vus et interrogésen 1982 et en 1984. Un autre groupe de malades admis en 1983 et leurs donneurs de soins ont été vus et interrogés en 1984. Les résultats indiquent que les proches parents maintiennent des rapports suivis avec leur parenté âgée. Les personnes âgées sans proches parents voient cependant les relâtions familiales se relâchées lorsque leurs facultés baissent. Besoins et ressources évoluent avec le temps.

Type
Articles
Copyright
Copyright © Canadian Association on Gerontology 1986

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Bowling, Ann (1984). Caring for the elderly widowed—the burden on their supporters. British Journal of Social Work. 14(5), 435455.Google Scholar
Brody, Elaine (1981). Older people, their families and social welfare. Social Welfare Forum, 1599.Google Scholar
Brody, Elaine (1985). Parent care as normative family stress. Gerontologist. 25(1), 1929.Google Scholar
Campbell, Alan (1982). Planningfor B.C.'s aging population. Unpublished Master's thesis, University of British Columbia, Vancouver.Google Scholar
Cantor, M.H. (1983). Strain among caregivers. Gerontologist, 23(6), 597604.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Chappell, Neena (1985). Social support and the receipt of home care services. Gerontologist 25(1), 4754.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Frankfather, D., Smith, M., and Caro, F. (1981). Family care ofthe elderly. Lexington: Lexington Books.Google Scholar
George, Linda K (1984, November). Role transitions in laterlife: whereshouldwe begoing? Paper presen ted at the Annual Meeting of the Canadian Association on Gerontology, Vancouver.Google Scholar
Gilliard, C.J. (1984). Living with dementia. London: Groom Helm.Google Scholar
Gray, B. & Isaacs, S. (1979). Care ofthe elderly mentally infirm. London: Tavistock.Google Scholar
Gross, M.H. & Schwenger, C. (1981). Health care costs for the elderly in Ontario: 1976-2026. Ontario Economic Council, Toronto.Google Scholar
Hill, M.A., Sanders, L.G., & Wong, L.M. (1982, 11). Patients dischargedfrom a geratric assessment unit: a follow-up with emphasis on family involvement. Paper presented at the Annual Meeting of Canadian Association on Gerontology, Winnipeg.Google Scholar
Hooneyman, N., Gonyea, J. & Montgomery, R. (1985). The impact ofin-home services termination on family caregivers. Gerontologist, 25(2), 141145.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Jarrett, William (1985). Caregiving within kinship systems: is affection really necessary. Gerontologist, 25(1), 510.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Johnson, C.L. & Catalano, D.J. (1983). A longitudinal study of family supports to impaired elderly. Gerontologist, 23(6), 612618.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Kane, R.L. & Kane, R.A. (1980). Alternatives to institutional care of the elderly: beyond the dichotomy. Gerontologist. 20(3), 249259.Google Scholar
Kraus, A.S. (1984). The burden of care for families of elderly persons with dementia. Canadian Journal on Aging 3(1), 4551.Google Scholar
Lyons, W. (1982). Coping with cognitive impairment Journal of Gerontological Social Work, 4(3/4), 20.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Marshall, V. (1981, 08). The family as a health ser vice organization. Paper presented at the Annual Meeting of the Society for the Study of Social Problems, Toronto.Google Scholar
Marcus, L. & Jaeger, V. (1984). The elderly as family caregivers. Canadian Journal on Aging, 5(1), 3334.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
National Council of Welfare, (1984). Sixty-five and older. Government of Canada, Ottawa.Google Scholar
Robertson, D. & Reisner, D. (1982). Management of dementia in the elderly at home: stress and the supporter. Canada's Mental Health, 30(3), 3638.Google Scholar
Schmidt, M.G. (1980). Failing parents, aging children. Journal ofGerontological Social Work, 2(3), 259268.Google Scholar
Shanas, E. (1979). Social myth as hypothesis: the case of family relations of old people. Gerontologist, 19(1), 39.Google Scholar
Sheldon, F. (1982). Supporting the supporters: working with the relatives of patients with dementia, Age and Aging, 11(3), 184188.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Smith, K.F. & Bengtson, V. (1979). Positive consequences of institutionalization: solidarity between elderly parents and their middle aged children. Gerontologist, 10(5), 438447.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Stolee, P., Rockwood, K. & Robertson, D. (1982 11). Stress on supporters of the frail elderly. Paper presented at the Annual Meeting of the Canadian Association on Gerontology, Winnipeg.Google Scholar
Stoller, E.P. & Earl, L.L. (1983). Help with the activities ofeveryday life: sources of support for the non-institutionalized elderly, Gerontologist, 23(1), 6470.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Stone, L.O. & Fletcher, S. (1980). Profile of Canada's older population, Montreal Institute for Public Policy.Google Scholar
Streib, G. (1983). The frail elderly: research dilemmas and research opportunities, Gerontologist; 23(1), 4044.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Sussman, Marvin (1977). Family, bureaucracy and the elderly individual: an organizational linkage perspective. In Shanas, Ethel and Sussman, Marvin (eds). Family, bureaucracy, and the elderly (pp. 2-20). Durham, N.C. Duke.Google Scholar
Zarit, H., Reever, K.E. & Bach-Peterson, J. (1980). Relatives of the impaired elderly: correlates of feelings of burden, Gerontologist, 20, 649655.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed