Dementia: the International Journal of Social Research and Practice, 20(6), 2021, pp.2205-2230.
Publisher:
Sage
... aspects of caregiving. Many of the included studies met most of the quality criteria for the respective methodological design; however, there was some variation in quality and sample across included studies. The review indicates that assessments and interventions to incorporate grandchildren and the wider family system may help to support family carers to continue to provide care for grandparents
(Edited publisher abstract)
Much of the research exploring the experiences of family caregivers of people with dementia has focussed on spouses and adult children. It is hypothesised that other family members at different life stages and with different family roles may experience and perceive the caregiving role differently. The objective of the current review was to explore the experiences of grandchildren who provide care to a grandparent with dementia. A systematic search of four databases identified 12 studies which met the inclusion criteria. An assessment of quality was completed for each of the included studies. Grandchildren described dementia-related changes, changes to their role and relationship with their grandparent, multiple impacts of caregiving, influences of other family relationships on caregiving and positive aspects of caregiving. Many of the included studies met most of the quality criteria for the respective methodological design; however, there was some variation in quality and sample across included studies. The review indicates that assessments and interventions to incorporate grandchildren and the wider family system may help to support family carers to continue to provide care for grandparents with dementia. The research and clinical implications and limitations of the review are also considered.
(Edited publisher abstract)
GOODMAN Catherine Chase, POTTS Marilyn Kay, PASZTOR Ellen Mayers
Journal article citation:
Children and Youth Services Review, 29(4), April 2007, pp.428-441.
Publisher:
Elsevier
This study examined needs, formal service utilization, informal support, and caregiver burden among grandmothers parenting grandchildren. Two groups were compared: 73 public and 108 private caregivers (with vs. without child welfare system involvement). Public caregivers used more formal services, particularly basic subsistence and legal services, suggesting greater access. Higher levels of need were associated with higher levels of caregiver burden. Among low need caregivers only, greater service utilization was associated with higher burden; among private caregivers only, more informal support was associated with lower burden.
This study examined needs, formal service utilization, informal support, and caregiver burden among grandmothers parenting grandchildren. Two groups were compared: 73 public and 108 private caregivers (with vs. without child welfare system involvement). Public caregivers used more formal services, particularly basic subsistence and legal services, suggesting greater access. Higher levels of need were associated with higher levels of caregiver burden. Among low need caregivers only, greater service utilization was associated with higher burden; among private caregivers only, more informal support was associated with lower burden.
Subject terms:
access to services, carers, children, grandparents;
Reports on a study which concentrated on four-generation families and found that caregiving responsibilities were mainly shouldered by the women of one generation.
Reports on a study which concentrated on four-generation families and found that caregiving responsibilities were mainly shouldered by the women of one generation.
Increasingly, grandparents are involved in the care of grandchildren, particularly after child safety concerns. Some grandparents, because of changed circumstances, relationships, or decisions made, can experience reduced or lost contact with grandchildren. A recent qualitative, collaborative study explored how relationships between grandparents and their grandchildren could be optimised after child safety concerns. Many grandparents in that study spoke of the frustration of being overlooked in decision-making about their grandchildren, even when they had been providing primary care for the grandchildren. The purpose of this article is to provide a brief background study context, before presenting a case study of one family's ongoing struggles to maintain the children in the grandparents’
(Publisher abstract)
Increasingly, grandparents are involved in the care of grandchildren, particularly after child safety concerns. Some grandparents, because of changed circumstances, relationships, or decisions made, can experience reduced or lost contact with grandchildren. A recent qualitative, collaborative study explored how relationships between grandparents and their grandchildren could be optimised after child safety concerns. Many grandparents in that study spoke of the frustration of being overlooked in decision-making about their grandchildren, even when they had been providing primary care for the grandchildren. The purpose of this article is to provide a brief background study context, before presenting a case study of one family's ongoing struggles to maintain the children in the grandparents’ care. The presented case study has relevance for social work education and training and more widely, for all students and practitioners in the child protection field.
(Publisher abstract)
Subject terms:
child protection, grandparents, case studies, kinship care, carers;
Journal of Gerontological Social Work, 51(1/2), 2008, pp.19-41.
Publisher:
Taylor and Francis
Place of publication:
Philadelphia, USA
This ethnographic study of seven low income African American grandmothers with caring responsibilities identified who could and could not provide support from within the family. It used a genogram and a constant comparative method to capture thematically the respondents’ perceptions of family support resources as absent, unavailable, dependent or reliable, and the circumstances that led to each status classification. The findings show that many were rearing grandchildren (and undertaking other caring roles) with little family support, owing mainly to the devastation caused by adverse social and economic conditions. The implications for social work assessment and intervention are discussed. (Copies of this article are available from: Haworth Document Delivery Centre, Haworth Press Inc., 10 Alice Street, Binghamton, NY 13904-1580).
This ethnographic study of seven low income African American grandmothers with caring responsibilities identified who could and could not provide support from within the family. It used a genogram and a constant comparative method to capture thematically the respondents’ perceptions of family support resources as absent, unavailable, dependent or reliable, and the circumstances that led to each status classification. The findings show that many were rearing grandchildren (and undertaking other caring roles) with little family support, owing mainly to the devastation caused by adverse social and economic conditions. The implications for social work assessment and intervention are discussed. (Copies of this article are available from: Haworth Document Delivery Centre, Haworth Press Inc., 10 Alice Street, Binghamton, NY 13904-1580).
Subject terms:
low income, needs assessment, carers, family relations, grandparents;
... achieved by including quotes from grandparents, examples of good practice, or the work of support organisations – may be lost.
The report reviews 122 articles and books on an increasingly important topic – the issues faced in being a grandparent and fulltime carer As a review of the literature rather than an introduction to the topic,it may be of more use to researchers than practitioners, and those already familiar with the subject. As a result, the potential impact of the booklet – that might, for example, have been achieved by including quotes from grandparents, examples of good practice, or the work of support organisations – may be lost.
Subject terms:
literature reviews, policy, carers, evidence-based practice, grandparents;
Ageing and Society, 26(5), September 2006, pp.783-816.
Publisher:
Cambridge University Press
Since 1990, Albania has witnessed rural out-migration on a massive scale, both to other countries, chiefly Italy and Greece, and internally to Tirana and other major towns. The scale of this migration has disrupted the multi-generational rural social and kinship systems that, before 1990, displayed strong and coherent family bonds, and simultaneously accommodated paternalistic state directives and were supported by welfare provision for all members of the population. The sudden political, social and rural dislocations that followed the end of the communist regime have made older people particularly vulnerable: many have been left behind by their emigrant children, creating the phenomenon of socially-isolated ‘elderly orphans’. While the migrants' remittances cushion this social isolation, the loss of children and grandchildren through emigration has undermined older people's self-respect and raison d'être in Albanian family life. This paper, based on fieldwork and interviews in regions of heavy out-migration in northern and southern Albania, examines the human impact of emigration on the older people who have been left behind as well as their coping mechanisms, one being to follow their children abroad to care for the grandchildren, enabling the ‘middle generation’, working-age parents both to engage in paid work.
Since 1990, Albania has witnessed rural out-migration on a massive scale, both to other countries, chiefly Italy and Greece, and internally to Tirana and other major towns. The scale of this migration has disrupted the multi-generational rural social and kinship systems that, before 1990, displayed strong and coherent family bonds, and simultaneously accommodated paternalistic state directives and were supported by welfare provision for all members of the population. The sudden political, social and rural dislocations that followed the end of the communist regime have made older people particularly vulnerable: many have been left behind by their emigrant children, creating the phenomenon of socially-isolated ‘elderly orphans’. While the migrants' remittances cushion this social isolation, the loss of children and grandchildren through emigration has undermined older people's self-respect and raison d'être in Albanian family life. This paper, based on fieldwork and interviews in regions of heavy out-migration in northern and southern Albania, examines the human impact of emigration on the older people who have been left behind as well as their coping mechanisms, one being to follow their children abroad to care for the grandchildren, enabling the ‘middle generation’, working-age parents both to engage in paid work.
Subject terms:
migration, older people, carers, family relations, grandparents;
SANDS Roberta G., GOLDBERG-GLEN Robin, THORNTON Pamela
Journal article citation:
Journal of Gerontological Social Work, 45(4), 2005, pp.65-82.
Publisher:
Taylor and Francis
Place of publication:
Philadelphia, USA
Prior research on grandparent caregivers has focused on stress, depression, and other negative outcomes. This paper describes research on factors that are associated with grandparents' positive well-being. In particular, it investigated the extent to which the perception of grandparental stress and grandparents' resources are associated with grandparents' well-being, after controlling for sociodemographic and health factors. A sample of 129 grandparents had individual interviews. Using a hierarchical block multiple regression analysis, the authors found that a low perception of stress related to caring for grandchildren and resources were responsible for a high level of wellbeing. The findings of this study suggest that social workers can best help grandparent caregivers by lowering
Prior research on grandparent caregivers has focused on stress, depression, and other negative outcomes. This paper describes research on factors that are associated with grandparents' positive well-being. In particular, it investigated the extent to which the perception of grandparental stress and grandparents' resources are associated with grandparents' well-being, after controlling for sociodemographic and health factors. A sample of 129 grandparents had individual interviews. Using a hierarchical block multiple regression analysis, the authors found that a low perception of stress related to caring for grandchildren and resources were responsible for a high level of wellbeing. The findings of this study suggest that social workers can best help grandparent caregivers by lowering their perception of stress and enhancing their informal supports and community resources. This can be incorporated into supportive, strengths-based individual or family counselling. (Copies of this article are available from: Haworth Document Delivery Centre, Haworth Press Inc., 10 Alice Street, Binghamton, NY 13904-1580).
Subject terms:
quality of life, stress, carers, child care, grandparents;
Journal of Gerontological Social Work, 44(3/4), 2005, pp.75-94.
Publisher:
Taylor and Francis
Place of publication:
Philadelphia, USA
This study addresses the characteristics and needs of Asian-American grandparent caregivers. This population has been ignored in the past by social services providers and researchers in New York City. For this study, one hundred and one Chinese-American and Korean-American grandparents were recruited with the help of various organizations. The results suggest that most Asian-American grandparents
This study addresses the characteristics and needs of Asian-American grandparent caregivers. This population has been ignored in the past by social services providers and researchers in New York City. For this study, one hundred and one Chinese-American and Korean-American grandparents were recruited with the help of various organizations. The results suggest that most Asian-American grandparents are extensive caregivers who provide a significant proportion of their grandchildren's day care while the parents are at work, without having legal guardianship or primary care-giving responsibility. It also appears that major difficulties and needs of Asian-American grandparent caregivers may be different from those of non-Hispanic whites, AfricanAmericans and Hispanics since the groups are different in terms of immigration history, acculturation and their status as grandparent caregivers. Surprisingly, and contrary to widespread perception, AsianAmerican grandparent caregivers want access to services that are appropriate to their needs. Implications of the results for practice and research include the need for service extension for Asian-American grandparent extensive caregivers, implementation of culturally and linguistically appropriate services and programs, education of social work practitioners and program planners and further studies.
Subject terms:
Korean people, Asian people, carers, Chinese people, grandparents;