Typologies of Dementia Caregiver Support Networks: A Pilot Study
Typologies of Dementia Caregiver Support Networks: A Pilot Study
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DOI：
10.1093/geront/gnab013
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发表时间：
2021-02-15
期刊：
影响因子：
5.7
通讯作者：
Kennedy, David P.
中科院分区：
文献类型：
--
作者：
Friedman, Esther M.;Kennedy, David P.
背景和目标美国有近1800万家庭护理人员帮助需要帮助的老年人。确定最需要支持的照顾者需要了解家庭照顾者目前可获得的社会支持网络，以及特定群体的照顾者是否面临支持网络不足的风险。研究设计和方法：我们收集了一个全国代表性的样本66个家庭照顾者的个人网络数据，在美国18岁及以上的痴呆症患者（PWDs），包括网络成员的支持，照顾者和帮助照顾者的信息。结果我们发现了四种常见的照顾网络类型：有许多帮助者的大型网络;主要支持照顾者的大型网络;支持照顾者和照顾者的小型密集网络;以及对照顾者或照顾者提供很少帮助的小型网络。性别，收入，照顾者的地理接近照顾者的网络类型显着相关。讨论和影响-这项研究表明，有不同类型的护理和支持网络提供给照顾者的残疾人，网络的规模和结构有很大的不同人口群体。随着人口老龄化，更好地了解提供照料者可获得的支助对于确保提供照料者得到充分支助和满足家庭的照料需求至关重要。
Background and Objectives There are nearly 18 million family caregivers in the United States assisting an older adult in need of help. Identifying the caregivers in greatest need of support requires an understanding of the current social support networks available to family caregivers and whether specific groups of caregivers are at risk of having an insufficient support network. Research Design and Methods We collected personal network data from a nationally representative sample of 66 family caregivers to persons with dementia (PWDs) in the United States aged 18 and older, including information on network members' support to the caregiver and help to the care recipient. Results We found four common caregiving network types: large networks with many helpers; large networks primarily supporting caregivers; small, dense networks supporting both caregivers and care recipient; and small networks providing little help to either caregiver or care recipient. Gender, income, and geographic proximity of caregiver to the care recipient were significantly associated with caregiver network type. Discussion and Implications This study suggests that there are different types of care and support networks available to caregivers to PWDs, and that the size and structure of networks vary considerably among demographic groups. As the population ages, a better understanding of the supports available to caregivers will be crucial for ensuring that caregivers are adequately supported, and caregiving needs of families are met.