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Article
Caregiver characteristics and outcomes associated with level of care complexity for older adults
Research in Gerontological Nursing
  • Janice F. Bell, UC Davis Health
  • Robin L. Whitney, San Jose State University
  • Victoria Keeton, UC Davis Health
  • Heather M. Young, UC Davis Health
Publication Date
1-1-2021
Document Type
Article
DOI
10.3928/19404921-20210427-01
Abstract

Care in the home is increasingly complex, with family caregivers now expected to take on aspects of care previously managed by nurses and other health professionals. In a national sample of caregivers of older adults, we examined predictors and outcomes of level of care (low, medium, high) based on caregiving hours and counts of activities of daily living (ADLs) and instrumental ADLs supported. Characteristics associated with high level of care include Hispanic or “other” race/ethnicity, being unemployed, and specific care recipient conditions (e.g., Alzheimer’s disease/dementia, cancer, mobility limitations). High compared to low level of care is also associated with caregiving difficulty and unmet needs. These findings underscore the need for targeted interventions and nursing research to further understand the features and dynamics of care complexity. Such research can inform family-centered interventions, health care system redesign, and health policies to support family caregivers of older adults engaged in complex care.

Funding Number
GBMF5968
Funding Sponsor
Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation
Citation Information
Janice F. Bell, Robin L. Whitney, Victoria Keeton and Heather M. Young. "Caregiver characteristics and outcomes associated with level of care complexity for older adults" Research in Gerontological Nursing Vol. 14 Iss. 3 (2021) p. 117 - 125
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/robin-whitney/83/