This study examined the characteristics of entry into the caregiving role for family and friends of older adults suffering from dementia. Using data from a large community survey of informal caregivers of patients who visited the University of Kentucky's Alzheimer's Disease Research Center (n = 1055), respondents were classified into one of four onset sequences: recognition-diagnosis, care provision, recognition-care, and diagnosis dependent. A multinomial logistic regression identified several characteristics (i.e., caregiver income, time since onset, care recipient gender, care recipient living status, and primary caregiver identification) that were significantly associated with various caregiving onset patterns. The findings describe the complexity of the entry process and its potential association with health-related transitions in the caregiving career.
Montgomery RJV, Williams KN: Implications of differential impacts of caregiving for future research on Alzheimer's care. Aging Ment Health. 2001; 5: S23-S35.
2.
Stone R, Cafferata GL, Stangl J: Caregivers of the frail elderly: A national profile. Gerontologist. 1987; 27: 616-626.
3.
Aneshensel CS, Pearlin LI, Mullan JT, et al.: Profiles in Caregiving: The Unexpected Career. San Diego: Academic Press, 1995.
4.
Gaugler JE, Leitsch SA, Zarit SH, et al.: Caregiver involvement following institutionalization: Effects of preplacement stress. Res Aging. 2000; 22: 337-359.
5.
Schulz R, Beach SR, Lind B, et al.: Involvement in caregiving and adjustment to death of a spouse: Findings from the caregiver health effects study. JAMA. 2001; 285: 3123-3129.
6.
Seltzer MM, Li LW: The dynamics of caregiving: Transitions during a three-year prospective study. Gerontologist. 2000; 40: 165-178.
7.
Whitlatch CJ, Schur D, Noelker LS, et al.: The stress process of family caregiving in institutional settings. Gerontologist. 2001; 41: 462-473.
8.
Cantor MH: Life space and the social support system of inner city elderly of New York. Gerontologist. 1975; 15: 23-27.
9.
Kane RA, Reinardy J, Penrod JD, et al.: After the hospitalization is over: A different perspective on family care of older people. J Gerontol Soc Work. 1999; 31: 119-142.
10.
Kramer BJ, Lambert JD: Caregiving as a life course transition among older husbands: A prospective study. Gerontologist. 1999; 39: 648-657.
11.
Given CW, Given BA, Stommel M, et al.: The impact of new demands for assistance on caregiver depression: Tests utilizing an inception cohort. Gerontologist. 1999; 39: 76-85.
12.
Lawton MP, Moss M, Hoffman C, et al.: Two transitions in the daughter's caregiving careers. Gerontologist. 2000; 40: 437-448.
Seltzer MM, Li LW: The transitions of caregiving: Subjective and objective definitions. Gerontologist. 1996; 36: 614-626.
15.
Albert SM, Moss M, Lawton MP: The significance of the selfperceived start of caregiving. J Clin Geropsychol. 1996; 2: 161-174.
16.
Aneshensel CS, Pearlin LI, Schuler RH: Stress, role captivity, and the cessation of caregiving. J Health Social Behav. 1993; 34: 54-70.
17.
Gaugler JE, Zarit SH: The effectiveness of adult day services for disabled older people. J Aging Social Policy. 2001; 12: 23-47.
18.
Gottlieb BH, Johnson J: Respite programs for caregivers of persons with dementia: A review with practice implications. J Aging Ment Health. 2000; 4: 119-129.
19.
Stephens MAP, Kinney JM, Ogrocki PK: Stressors and wellbeing among caregivers to older adults with dementia: The in-home versus nursing home experience. Gerontologist. 1991; 31: 217-223.
20.
Schmitt FA, Davis DG, Wekstein DR, et al.: ‘Preclinical’ AD revisited: Neuropathology of cognitively normal older adults. Neurology. 2000; 55: 370-376.
21.
Kane RL: Physiological well-being and health. In Kane RL, Kane RA (eds.): Assessing Older Persons: Measures, Meanings, and Practical Applications. New York: Oxford University Press, 2000.
22.
Long SJ: Regression Models for Categorical and Limited Dependent Variables. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage, 1997.
23.
Tabachnick BG, Fidell LS: Using Multivariate Statistics (3rd ed.). New York: HarperCollins, 1996.
24.
Townsend A, Noelker L, Deimling G, et al.: Longitudinal impact of interhousehold caregiving on adult children's mental health. Psychol Aging. 1989; 4: 393-401.
25.
Dellasega C, Nolan M: Admission to care: Facilitating role transition amongst family carers. J Clin Nurs. 1997; 6: 443-451.
