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Understanding patterns of service utilization among informal caregivers of community older adults
- Author:
- HONG Song-Iee
- Journal article citation:
- Gerontologist, 50(1), February 2010, pp.87-99.
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
Although the availability of social resources for informal caregivers has risen, the uptake of these services is relatively low. This article seeks to identify patterns of service utilisation among informal caregivers of frail older adults, and examine the determinants that explain heterogeneous variations in caregivers’ service use patterns. Using 1,908 data points from the 2004 National Long-Term Care Survey and Informal Caregiver data, this study classifies overall patterns of caregiver service utilisation: financial information, support group, respite service, day care or senior centre, personal or nursing care, housework, meal delivery, transportation, house modification, and assistive devices. Emphasising caregivers’ service use patterns and social networks derived from the Network Episode Model, the modified Andersen model guides determinants of these patterns. The analysis revealed a hierarchical structure of service use patterns: multiple service users, selective in-home service users, and light service users. Caregivers’ network compositions signified heterogeneity in service use patterns. Care recipient, and caregiver, related needs contributed to distinguishing service use patterns. The author, in conclusion, notes that differentiation of services may be important for meeting caregivers’ needs and distributing programme resources by identifying target populations for intervention, a process which may tailor specific interventions to better supported caregivers.
Increasing older adults' benefits from institutional capacity of volunteer programs
- Authors:
- HONG Song-Iee, MORROW-HOWELL Nancy
- Journal article citation:
- Social Work Research, 37(2), 2013, pp.99-108.
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
This study examines the extent to which the institutional capacity of volunteer programs explained variations in older adults' self-perceived psychosocial benefits. This quantitative study analysed 401 older adults serving in 13 volunteer programs across the United States. Individual volunteer-level characteristics (sociodemographics and volunteer experience) and program-level characteristics (flexibility, recognition, incentives) were collected. Program directors provided information about program characteristics via telephone interviews, and older volunteers in those programs completed mailed surveys. Variation in perceived benefits was associated with both individual- and program-level factors. Of six dimensions of institutional capacity, role flexibility and recognition had significant associations with higher levels of benefits reported by the volunteers. Also, incentives in the form of monetary compensation, like for petol or meals, offered by programs increased the benefits from volunteering. These findings suggest that characteristics of programs can maximize the benefits that older adults gain from volunteering. Therefore, public policies and program development that increase the institutional capacity of volunteer programs are warranted. (Edited publisher abstract)