The Canadian population of elderly people is growing rapidly, people are living longer lives. Naturally, this fact leads to the growing involvement of formal and informal support. Informal support is usually given by family and friends, if spouses are not able or have passed away, children are the next best bet for social and informal support. (309) One in five Canadians aged 45 and older have given assistance to an older family member or friend. (Cranswick & Dosman, 2008, 210) Informal support has many advantages but it also takes a toll on adult children who pursue it. An online article which goes into detail on the challenges faced when taking care of older parents is called “Caring for Elderly Parents Takes Toll on Caregivers” which is …show more content…
The facts throughout each of these writings match meaning they both have accurate facts. Social policies are also somewhat discussed in the article and mentioned much more in the textbook, the social policies only go so far when benefitting elderly people, it comes down to their personal means and ability. There are many disadvantages and advantages to informal care which are discussed throughout both the article and textbook which can explain how older adults are effected as well as adult children. Caring for an older parent involves more than buying them new clothes and giving them medicine, they have emotional needs as well as healthcare needs. This is why in many situations formal and informal care are both necessary to satisfy an older persons needs. Studies by gerontologists show that women/daughters are more likely to take on the responsibility of caring for their parent(s). (3__) The type of care and emotions arised while caring for an older parents also differs between men and women. A study confucted by Campbell and Carol (2007) on 58 adult sons showed some comm experiences and emotions. (325) Some of these
Letiecq, B. L., Bailey, S. J., & Porterfield, F. (2008, August). " We have no rights, we get no help" the legal and policy dilemmas facing grandparent caregivers. Journal of Family Issues, 29, 995-1012.
Parents who are supported in their caregiving role are better able to nurture their children, who have a better chance to grow up to be productive, contributing members of society. Research has demonstrated that programs such as parenting education, support groups, and home visiting are effective and produce positive, significant results for parents and their children. (p. 75)
Aging is universal and it is a process that everyone has to go through. The only difference is that everyone goes through this process at their own pace influenced by factors that will be discussed later on in this paper. When we think about factors that have an influence on older adults and how their life may be affected, we must consider the different social institutions while analyzing influences from social factors, cultural factors, and personal values. Abuse to older adults, stereotyping and informal care and technological advancements that affect older adults are the three topics that will be discussed in this reflection. Furthermore, will connect the three topics I have chosen to the knowledge that I have gained from my interaction
Roberto, K. A., & Jarrott, S. E. (2008, January). Family Caregivers of Older Adults: A Life Span Perspective. Family Relations , 100-111.
My wife and I love our children. We love our parents too, but now that we are caring for both simultaneously, sometimes we just need a break. Finding someone to stay with the children or friends willing to take them on for a night or a weekend isn't difficult, but we can't say the same when it comes to our parents. Although we may find someone to stay with them for an hour or two, many people are scared to sit with them longer, as they worry about a medical issue or another problem arising. Thankfully, we recently learned about respite care offered in our area for senior citizens.
Traditionally, in numerous societies as mothers and fathers grow older, their offspring physically repay their debts, emotionally and financially to their parents. They take care of them. In spite of the fact that this continues today in modern and postmodern societies families have themselves changed thus have the baselines of support and care. Increasingly, in numerous societies individuals come to live all alone or are placed in nursing care homes as they grow older there is placing an increased demand on the aged care system, as well as several health inequalities.
After spending an afternoon interviewing my elderly father-in-law, I gained insight into how he perceives the aging process and the impact on the quality of his life. First, and foremost he viewed aging in a very positive and healthy manner. He believes that a positive attitude assists in accepting physical and psychosocial changes and enjoyed the fact that he and his wife are both physically fit and cognitively alert. He felt confident that advances made in health care and the quality of their lives would continue to be empowering. He enjoys the benefits of being a senior citizen including discounted travel, free education, and other incentives marketed towards seniors. He expressed a sense of well-being with respect to the numerous housing options geared towards the graying population, such as Retirement Villages, and assisted living. However, the subjects of Long Term Care, Social security reform and government involvement in health care reform were subjects he regarded with very strong negative emotions. During the interview these issues as related to his experiences with health care were discussed with zeal and frustration.
For this study, fifty-two grandparents and their grandchildren were recruited to participate. Of the fifty-two, forty-one also consented to an interview. (Dolbin-MacNab, 2006, p.3) The criteria to participate in the study was: “grandparents had to meet the United States Census Bureau (2002) definition of a grandparent caregiver, grandparents were required to have a legal relationship to th...
Older adults are a very knowledgeable population and have had a lot of life experiences. As people age, things start to change physically, mentally, and socially. It’s important to understand the process of aging, so that older adults can be taken care of properly. I interviewed P.R. who is a 71-year-old male that lives alone in his home. P.R. is a retired coal miner, and is currently living off his social security and savings. He lives close to both his daughter and son, who frequently help him out with things that are needed. P.R. was able to give me a lot of insight about specific challenges that he has experienced in his life that is associated with aging. I will be discussing challenges that P.R experienced physically, mentally,
In a review of Making Grey Gold, which is a compelling evaluation of nursing home caregiving, the reading seem more like a revelation into the unknown world of the aged and/or disabled, and not just another book. Moreover, the beginnings of the book set the stage for a real life sequence unfolding in each sentence, and each chapter to the very end. The effectiveness of the book may bring current policies for nursing home care and procedures into question; however the book is more appropriate for adults considering nursing homes as an option, adult children in charge of their parents care and the staff that are employed or pending employment in such an institution.
Sturdy, D. (2007) Indignity in care: are you responsible? Nurs Older People. 2007; 19(9): 9.
As you can imagine, the financial cost and responsibility of caring for an aging parent are not the only demands family members must face. Most of the concerns and hardships these caregivers deal with are ways to address the needs of their parents while making sure they still provide them with the necessities. Eldercare creates a complex situation in which traditional roles of parent/child relationships are revealed. You may already be in that position or soon looking at it of being part of the 'sandwich generation', providing support for your own children as well that of your parents. Physically as well as financially.
Sturdy, D. (2007) Indignity in care: are you responsible? Nurs Older People. 2007; 19(9): 9.
If you are caring for a parent, you most likely feel a tremendous duty to take care of and help make decisions about your aging parents’ health, finances, day-to-day functioning, and overall well-being. You are taking on a huge responsibility that you probably never imagined you would have.
In conclusion, children who want to see their aging parents happy, they always try to give their parent best atmosphere .Which they only can get at home .However, children should think about their aging parents what do they really want? They only want professional care or a better and happy atmosphere with their family’s every day. It is not necessary children should take care of their elderly parent, but we really need to think about it because parents work their entire lives to support their family and we owe them a lot. So, in my opinion children should be responsible for their aging parents.