Abstract
This paper discusses that the time and effort, both physical and emotional, required to provide compassionate, timely and appropriate caregiving to another person can assume mammoth proportions, but the hospice approach has been proven to be an invaluable asset for home-based caregivers. The author points out that hospice refers to a concept of care rather than a physical location. The hospice movement's goal is not cure, with all of its aggressive interventions, but palliation of symptoms to help manage the psychological and social difficulties encountered by terminally ill patients, their caregivers and family. The paper stresses that the burdensome, demanding and stressful caregiving responsibilities require that the caregivers take adequate time for themselves to prevent caregivers from engaging in abusive behaviors toward their patient.

From the Paper
"In fact, by 2025, it has been estimated that there will be over one billion older people worldwide. This extension in life expectancy to well beyond 80 years of age is the result of better public health measures, improvements in living conditions, and advances in medical care. At the same time, there have been some fundamental changes in the American family that have created a wide range of variations, with numerous permutations of step-children, step-parents and step-grandparents being the norm rather than the exception. No longer is the family unit as cohesive as it was, say, in the middle of the 20th century, so the family members who assume caregiving responsibilities for the elderly may not even be directly related to the individual. Studies have shown that the relationships that exist before an individual requires caregiving tends to dictate what type of relationship will continue to exist, but the fact remains although there is universal agreement that full-time caregiving responsibilities are enormously stressful; some people make better caregivers than others."

Tags:palliative, abuse, family, research, stressful

Abstract
This paper examines factors regarding selecting care for one's elderly parents - the balance of work and caregiving; choosing an agency or home; guardianship; involvement of other family members and finally the stress factor. The paper also looks at one theory about caregiving known as the exchange theory.

From the Paper
"Some of these changes will come through health care reform. Granted, Medicare and Medicaid help a lot with parent caregiving, but they do not go far enough. One perfect example is the situation of immigrant elderly parents. Parent caregiving for immigrant parents is utterly non-existent on the federal and state government agendas, and this creates a situation in which elderly Americans' health deteriorates because minor conditions are exacerbated via missed doctor visits and checkups.
It is simply too expensive to care for an immigrant elderly parent in this country, and the resulting health care decisions are often highly inefficient, not to mention destructive for the parents' health too.
Some provisions must be made for caring for these elderly immigrant parents who cannot live on their own and support themselves.
These changes will not solve the problems of parent caregiving in America; they will, however, make it easier for the adult children to exercise their reciprocal roles and ensure their parents longer, happier, healthier lives."

Tags:health, care, aging, agency, stress, guardianship

Abstract
A number of studies have been conducted over the past decade that provide insights into the type of emotional problems that can occur in the caregivers. There is also research that is done to determine the means by which the emotional turmoil can be reduced if not eliminated. This paper offers example of both types of studies. Although any type of illness can be used, a number of these articles use the emotional problems resulting from having a parent who is suffering from Alzheimer's disease. It explains that this illness can be very similar to dementia that often afflicts the elderly.

From the Paper
"Increasing numbers of the babyboomer generation are having to take care of their aging parents in addition to other responsibilities, such as sending their children to college and working full time to pay for rising expenses. The degree of stress that occurs regardless when caring for someone who is ill, is aggravated because of emotions including guilt that one is not doing enough, fear that a loved one is suffering, sadness that a life is coming to an end and depression from frustration and exhaustion. Resources are another difficulty. In many cases, the older children do not even live in the same area as their aging parent and have to find services that are at a premium and vary considerably from one place to the next. Or, if living near one another, considerable time is required to run errands, go to and from the doctors, and respond to phone calls at all time day and night. It takes its emotional toll upon the strongest of individuals. Until recently, discussion of care giving focused on the recipients of care. However, increasingly specialists are addressing the needs of relatives and other informal caregivers."

Tags:babyboomer, aging, alzheimer's, disease, stress, patient, dementia

From the Paper
"According to Teel et al. (1999), Alzheimer's disease is the most prevalent cause of dementia at the present time. That prevalence is expected to increase during the next fifty years because of increased longevity and an aging population. It is estimated that the prevalence may quadruple during that time (Brookmeyer et al., 1998). Even now, prevalence rates for the population over the age of 85 is between 25 percent and 48 percent (Larson et al., 1992). Finally, nursing home admission rates are high for Alzheimer's and average lengths of stay are long, therefore costly."

Tags:aging, diseases

Abstract
This paper presents a review of the literature available concerning the relationship between caregivers and the recipients of their care. Particular emphasis is placed on literature that looks at the impact that gender has on the role of the caregiver.

From the Paper
"The question of what impact gender has in caregiving and/or the distribution of caregiving tasks among family members when caring for aging parents is a significant one, given the aging of the population and what has been reported as a breakdown in family structure. By far the literature provides information concerning care by the spouse. There is an overwhelming need for studies centered on family members and roles involved in caregiving activities for parents."

Tags:caring, dependents, relationship, illness, disability, dependency, spouse, family, relatives

Abstract
This research examines differences in physical and mental health status between minority-group grandparents raising grandchildren and those who are not involved in this care-giving role. The discussion builds on earlier studies of grandparent caregivers, using a national data set, but it is unique in that it explores the physical and mental health of the growing sub-population of minority-group grandparents who are raising grandchildren.

Table of Contents:
Introduction
Review of the Literature
Methods
Results
Discussion
Implications for Research and Practice
Conclusion

From the Paper
"Minority caregivers will be significantly more likely than their non care-giving peers to have limitations in four of the five activities of daily living (ADL) investigated . Caregivers will have more problems moving around inside the house and doing day-to-day tasks. The levels of limitation will be quite substantial, with 29 percent of caregivers reporting "a lot of limitation" climbing a flight of stairs and two of five caregivers indicating that they will have a lot of limitation walking six blocks. Approximately two-thirds of caregivers will have at least one limitation, and the mean number of limitations will too. No significant differences will be found between Minority caregivers and non-caregivers with respect to self-reported health status or with their reported ability to bathe, dress, and provide other personal care."

Tags:ADL, surrogate, community

Abstract
The paper looks at how this article explains recent changes in the long neglected area of eldercare support. The paper explains its central thesis that new links are currently being created between family roles, eldercare polices, and business requirements. The paper examines the two sociological perspectives used; role strain and the stressor-support-stress reaction model. The paper shows how the use of sociological perspectives proves enlightening because of the focus on trends and very helpful associations. However, the paper asserts that its implications and conclusions do not correspond to actual advances for caregivers.

From the Paper
"Singleton, J. (2000). Women caring for elderly family members: Shaping nontraditional work and family initiatives. Journal of Comparative Family Studies, 31 (3), 367-376. This article explains recent changes in the long neglected area of eldercare support. The central thesis is that new links are currently being created between family roles, eldercare polices, and business requirements. The research is not original but consists of a review of research. Two sociological perspectives are used: role strain and the stressor-support-stress reaction model. The use of sociological..."

Tags:elderly, abuse, solutions

Abstract
This paper explains that the transition into the caregiving role creates a burden as it addresses anticipatory grief and ambiguous loss, which can result in psychoneuroimmunological impacts on the caregiver's body. Next, the author explores ways that the caregiver can manage the stress created by this situation. The paper hypothesizes that in the current recession more families will be faced with the problems of caregiving within the home instead of relying on formal caregiving facilities.

Table of Contents:
Abstract
Introduction
The Caregiver Transition
Anticipatory Grief and Ambiguous Loss
Anticipatory Grief
Ambiguous Loss
Psychological Response to Caregiver Stress
Psychoneuroimmunology in Response to Caregiver Stress
Stress and Fatigue Management
Prior Caregiver Experience
Planning and Preparation
Education and Proper Training
Caregiver Disposition
Coping
Perceived Stress
Finding Balance
Bridging Generational Gaps
Future Directions

From the Paper
"One area of concern is the level of comprehension a caregiver has in relation to the terminality of the care-receiver at present. The caregiver is expected to function in the role as necessary- paying close attention to the care-receivers disposition, executive functioning, behavioral, bodily or personality changes. Another facet of caregiving is to provide the level of attendance required to meet increasing demands. To fully comprehend the dying process, the need to discuss and perhaps implement end-of-life decisions, standing orders, and business matters based on the care-receiver's previous wishes can be another factor involved with routine duties and responsibilities."

Tags:sacrifices, cultural identity, denial, financial burdens

Abstract
This research investigates the problem of elder abuse. The research focuses on the identification of the factors underlying the problem.
In the study, both the frequency and the severity of physical and emotional abuse are found to be related positively with the level of stress perceived by caregivers, the cognitive status of the elderly person, the physical status of the elderly person, and the substance abuse status of caregivers. Both the frequency and the severity of financial abuse are also found to be related positively with the level of financial stress characterizing the caregiver-elderly person relationship.
The findings of this study that caregiver stress and substance abuse by caregivers affect the frequency and severity of physical and emotional abuse, and that financial stress affects the frequency and severity of financial abuse are consistent with current theory. The findings that the frequency and severity of elder abuse are related to both the cognitive and physical status of the elderly person for whom care is provided, however, are consistent with some current theory but also are contrary to some current theory. The study concludes that further research is recommended to explore in greater depth the relationship between elder abuse and the physical and mental status of the elderly person for who care is provided in a family environment. Further research also is recommended with respect to developing improved schemes for providing financial assistance for such caring arrangements.

Table of Contents
Introduction
Statement of the Problem
Research Questions
Purpose of the Study
Significance of the Study
Definitions of Terms
Overview of the Remainder of the Study
Review of the Literature
Cognitive Abilities and Development
Stress
Related Research
Conclusions Relative to the Study Problem
Method
Hypotheses
Variables and Operational Definitions
Population and Sample
Instrumentation
Data Analysis
Summary
Results
Results Testing Hypothesis 1
Results Testing Hypothesis 2
Results Testing Hypothesis 3
Results Testing Hypothesis 4
Results Testing Hypothesis 5
Results Testing Hypothesis 6
Results Testing Hypothesis 7
Results Testing Hypothesis 8
Results Testing Hypothesis 9
Results Testing Hypothesis 10
Discussion
Summary of the Results
Discussion and Implications for Current Theory
Recommendations for Further Research
Implications for Professional Practice
References

From the Paper
"The increasing awareness that some elderly persons are physically abused and neglected by family members has been accompanied by a widespread assumption about elder abuse: that it is inflicted by well meaning individuals, often the adult children of victims, who are pushed over the edge by the stress of caring for a frail, dependent old person. According to Pillemer & Finkelhor (1989), the falsity of that assumption was revealed by findings that relatively well-functioning elderly people were found to usually be the victims of abuse, which is often inflicted by emotionally disturbed or violent family members. A typical abuser was found to be a person who depends on the victim for money, transportation, housing and household repairs. Elderly victims were no more disabled or dependent on their abusers than were comparison subjects on their relatives. Abusers, however, were much more likely than relatives in the comparison group to have been arrested, hospitalized for a psychiatric disorder, involved in violent behavior outside the family, or limited by a physical problem (Pillemer & Finkelhor, 1989). The generalizations of these findings have been challenged by more recent studies (Saad, Hartman, Kurian, Graham, Wilcock, & Ballard, 1995).
Some states have passed laws for mandatory reporting of elder abuse, which means that doctors and social workers must report suspected abuse (Arbetter, 1995). Communities are encouraging neighbors to keep an eye on seniors. Some communities are considering the establishment of shelters similar to those organized for battered women. Some communities also are expanding senior day care services and support services for caregivers (Arbetter, 1995)."

Tags:social, worker, trauma, senior, illness, stress

Abstract
This paper examines how parents and caregivers play a vital role in helping children learn and how it is important for parents and teachers to support children's learning and development, enhance learning through play, and help a child develop confidence and self-worth. It looks at how education innovators, such as Jean Piaget, Robert Owen, Jan Amos Komensky, and Jean Jacques Rousseau, have all had a great impact on education today and discusses how these innovators have impacted the author's belief about how parents and caregivers play a vital role in a child's learning.

From the Paper
"Play is one of the main ways in which children learn. Because play is fun, children often become absorbed in what they are doing. It is important for a parent and a caregiver to provide appropriate materials for children to explore. Also, it is important for the parent and caregiver to give the child freedom in what they are exploring, and to facilitate the child. As Piaget stated, "Discovery learning and supporting the developing interests of the child are two primary instructional techniques. It is recommended that parents and teachers challenge the child's abilities, but NOT present material or information that is too far beyond the child's level." (http://ship.edu/-cgboeree/piaget.html) The materials provided must be developmentally appropriate for the children. Also, they should meet the children's interests."

Tags:amos, jacques, jan, jean, komensky, owen, piaget, robert, rousseau