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Essay Subject: Effects on family caregiver.... More...

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Paper Abstract: Effects on family caregiver. Stress and financial hardship. Focus on "sandwich generation, " adults mainly women, caring for both the elderly of their family as well as their own children. Helping elders with tasks and activities of daily living. Role strain theory; three types. Implications of rising senior population. Paper Introduction: According to the United States Bureau of the Census, as of 1995 there were at least 54 million people who were 55 years old or older and 33.5 million of those were over 65 years old (Mathur & Moschis, 1999). According to the National Alliance for Caregiving, more than 22 million homes in the United States has a family member or friend over the age of 50 years living as dependents in those homes. These numbers are likely to balloon by 2011 when the first wave of baby boomers reaches the age of 65 (Gerbman, 2000). A more recent survey conducted by AARP (American Association of Retired Persons) focussed on the quality of life of those who care for their aged family members. The survey specifically targeted the “Sandwich Generation”, those who are caring for both the elderly in their family as well as their own children (Baron, 2001). According to the survey, while most Text of the Paper: The entire text of the paper is shown below. However, the text is somewhat scrambled. We want to give you as much information as we possibly can about our papers and essays, but we cannot give them away for free. In the text below you will find that while disordered, many of the phrases are essentially intact. From this text you will be able to get a solid sense of the writing style, the concepts addressed, and the sources used in the research paper. This may appear to be similar to what occurs when thereare newborn children introduced into a family however, it is vastlydifferent in scope. These numbers are likely toballoon by 2 11 when the first wave of baby boomers reaches the age of 65(Gerbman, 2 ). E., Colquitt, J. 76-86. 44, iss. 5, pp. According to the United States Bureau of the Census, as of 1995 therewere at least 54 million people who were 55 years old or older and 33.5million of those were over 65 years old (Mathur & Moschis, 1999).According to the National Alliance for Caregiving, more than 22 millionhomes in the United States has a family member or friend over the age of 5 years living as dependents in those homes. "Exploring the intergenerationalcaregiver market: A study of family care providers for the elderly."Journal of Marketing Theory and Practice. This has often been referred to as an "unexpected career"(Kossek, Colquitt, & Noe, 2 1; Covinsky, et al, 2 1). Y., Sands, L. P. A more recent survey conducted by AARP (AmericanAssociation of Retired Persons) focussed on the quality of life of thosewho care for their aged family members. Role conflict refersto the strain that arises when the demands from one or more other rolesjeopardizes the adequate performance in other roles (Singleton, 2 ). "ReducedEmployment in Caregivers of Frail Elders: Impact of Ethnicity, PatientClinical Characteristics, and Caregiver Characteristics." The Journals ofGerontology. In the past, almost the entire function of the woman inthe home was given over to caring either for children or parents. 5 -58. Mathur, A. Additionally, familiesare smaller so that care of elderly parents is becoming more concentratedon a few children, rather than the responsibility of several. When any of the above stressors come into play in the caregiver'slife, it may start a chain of events that not only effects the performancein each role, but it may also effect their mental and physical health, aswell as their financial well-being and perceived employment worth(Singleton, 2 ). Not only are they caring for their parents, but theyare also often attempting to raise a family, work full-time, and involvedin their communities (Singleton, 2 ). According to studies cited in the Journals of Gerontology (2 1), overhalf of older patients who meet eligibility requirements for nursing homecare live at home (Covinsky, Eng, Lui, & Sands, 2 1). The survey specifically targetedthe "Sandwich Generation", those who are caring for both the elderly intheir family as well as their own children (Baron, 2 1). This is no longer an issue that can be putoff until later; it must be dealt with now, or society will pay dearly forthe oversight. Potentially, this could be devastating for businesses as valuedemployees begin to miss significant amounts of time in order to care forfamily members (Gerbman, 2 ). Additionally, women have been shownto spend almost twice as much time as men in caregiving activities(Singleton, 2 ). According to thesurvey, while most of those interviewed enjoyed the caregiving process,they also admitted to a certain amount of stress and financial hardshipthat accompanied their roles (Baron, 2 1). 3, pp. 11, pp. There are three types of role strain that affect caregivers: roledemand overload, role inadequacy, and role conflict. Gerbman, R. As thistrend continues, it will begin to effect more than just the family membersinvolved. Vol. Thus, women aremore likely to be providing the more arduous and physically draining taskswhen caring for their family members. 45, iss. A. One study estimated thatcaregivers spend over 4 hours per week in caring for their elderly familymembers. "Elder Care Takes America by Storm."HRMagazine. E., Eng, C., Lui, L. Singleton, J. Vol. This means that the number ofvarious social roles that one occupies, such as caregiver, employee,spouse, and parent, increase the perceived stress in one's life (Singleton,2 ). Covinsky, K. Many caregivers, recognizing that they are unable toadequately meet the needs of their family members while working full-time,will reduce the number of hours that they work. 7, no. "For 'Sandwich Generation,' Life's a Picnic, StudyFinds; Boomers Caring for Kids, Parents Say Joy Outweighs Stress." TheWashington Post, July 11, p. According to the Journal of Comparative Family Studies (2 ), rolestrain theory best describes the stress that caregivers experience whilecaring for their elderly relatives (Singleton, 2 ). In a survey conducted by HRMagazine (2 ), participants admitted to being perceived by theiremployers as "unreliable" once elderly relatives moved in to be cared for.Some have quit their jobs altogether to become independent contractors,others spend lunch hours and time after work on caring for their family,while hoping that they are still able to cope with their job at work(Gerbman, 2 ). Additionally, due to longer lifeexpectancies, lower birth rates, and women waiting longer to startfamilies, there is an increased likelihood that childcare and senior carewill occur concurrently and that daily stress will increase (Singleton,2 ). Kossek, E. Currently, however, women caring for family have more roledemands upon them. 31, iss. B-3. (2 ). (2 ). (1999). Vol. This translatesinto an economic value of 196 billion dollars worth of informal health careprovided by caregivers yearly. Reference Baron, J. & Moschis, G. (2 1). V. Caregivers who were responsible for both children andparents reported that while children are learning and growing and maybecome self-sufficient in the future, elderly relatives are usuallydeclining in health and becoming more dependent each day (Baron, 2 1).Watching the decline of a loved one, usually a parent, adds additionalemotional stress to the stress already felt by what may seem to be a never-ending active schedule. It has beenestimated that the unpaid labor, lost wages, and missed opportunities forcaregivers is equivalent to approximately $4.8 billion per year (Singleton,2 ). "CaregivingDecisions, Well-being, and Performance: The Effects of Place and Provideras a Function of Dependent Type and Work-Family Climates." Academy ofManagement Journal. If this were counted as part of thenational health care expense, it would increase estimates of total spendingby at least 2 percent if not more (Covinsky, et al, 2 1). By the year 2 2 , the senior population will havereached 51.1 million, and by 2 4 , 66.6 million (Singleton, 2 ).Currently, however, those baby boomers are the ones taking care of theirelderly family members as well as their children. Unfortunately,other than the peace of mind that they may have for keeping their family athome, caregivers are not compensated for their time or financialsacrifices, and as referred to above, often penalized by their employersfor taking time off to care for their parents (Kossek, 2 1). Research has also shown that menare more likely to help with Instrumental Activities of Daily Living(ACDL), such as grocery shopping, writing checks, and mowing the lawn.Alternately, women tend to assist their elders by providing Activities ofDaily Living (ADL), such as bathing, dressing, or feeding. A., & Noe, R. 3, pp. M7 7-M713. That washer job. "Women Caring for Elderly Family Members:Shaping Nontraditional Work and Family Initiatives." Journal ofComparative Family Studies. Role strain theoryargues that individuals have a limited amount of time and energy that iscompeted for by social organizations. Vol. 56A, iss. (2 1). While reducing thehours that one works may decrease stress in the amount of time availablefor care, it increases the stress on the financial well-being of bothcaregiver and those who are cared for. 29-44. 367-375. These remain hidden costs in the ongoing dialogue regarding care ofthe elderly in this country. When a person perceives herself to be unable to meet all thedemands being made upon her, that is role inadequacy. While many men provide informal care to their elders, traditionally,women have functioned as the caregivers when elderly parents or otherfamily members were in need of assistance. Vol. P., (2 1). This paper will examine theeffects, such as stress and financial hardship, and the significance ofthose effects, that caring for an elderly family member has on the familyin general and the caregivers in particular. When an individualhas so many demands competing between the different roles that she playsthat satisfactory performance is improbable, this is known as role demandoverload. As noted before, by the year 2 11, the first wave of baby boomers willreach the age of 65. 1, pp. If this paper is not what you are looking for, you can search again: Search for: or Click here to request an essay written just for you.