The circumstances faced by grandparents who become caregivers for their grandchildren are complicated and stressful. Indepth interviews were conducted with 54 grandparent caregivers (37 grandmothers and 17 grandfathers). Analysis of qualitative data involved the use of QSR NUD*IST software for organizing and coding interview transcripts. Subsets of financial, family, and legal problems specific to grandparent caregiving were identified. Grandparent caregivers acquire problem-specific coping strategies, which include taking action, talking about feelings, religious faith, focus on the grandchild, outreach to others, and some "less desirable" means. Caregiver satisfaction was related to the joys of children, the tasks of child rearing, participating in grandchildren's activities, a new focus for life, and watching a child's accomplishments. This study identified the need for additional research about interventions for the stress and coping responses of grandparent caregivers.

Grandparents as Guardians: A Nationwide Trend Grandparents widely consider spending time with their grandchildren one of the greatest benefits of growing older, according to a 2009 survey conducted by Pew Research Center. But, what happens when circumstances necessitate that grandparents become primary caregivers for their grandchildren? At a time when non-traditional families have become ubiquitous, the growing number of custodial grandparents and "skipped-generation families" are quietly impacting family dynamics, necessitating changes to long-standing public policies at both the federal and state level. The social phenomenon of grandparents raising grandchildren intersects with the welfare system, foster care policy, housing policy and custody laws, among others. Often, these complex intersections result in a tangled web of well-intentioned support services that may prove difficult for families to access. While best practices are beginning to emerge, this is an area in which policymakers, researchers and sociologists need to pay attention. What are the most cost-effective policy options that optimize outcomes for both grandparents and their grandchildren? As the following data reflect, this is a growing issue that will remain pertinent for quite some time. Nationally, nearly 6.7 million grandparents live with their grandchildren, and nearly 2.7 million are responsible for their grandchildren's care. 1 To put this in perspective, there are more grandparents responsible for their grandchildren than families receiving Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF). The number of Comparatively, the median family income in Arizona is $57,855. 5 Key Challenges for Grandparents Grandparents often become primary caregivers due to difficult family circumstances. In many cases parental absence is the result of substance abuse, incarceration, psychiatric disorder, child abuse, neglect or a death.

This study investigates the impact of preretirement planning on life satisfaction during retirement. It addresses the question of which manner of preretirement planning is most effective in enhancing life during retirement. The sample consisted of 322 retired subjects who were affiliated with either a community church or an alumni chapter of a national fraternity or who retired from a large private corporation. The findings indicate that retirement preparatory programs are most useful if they are performed or provided in a timely manner and effectively address, among other topics, health and financial matters pertinent to retirees. Further findings indicate that there were significant differences in the life satisfaction expressed by retirees who planned on their own as compared with those who participated in structured company-sponsored preretirement planning programs and those who did not plan for retirement. Such findings suggest that gerontology educators, researchers, and professionals should continue to develop more effective retirement preparatory programs.

Age-related vision loss is one of the most commonly cited disabling impairments of adult life. Stressors presented by vision loss can create barriers, threatening the well-being of the individual. This qualitative study of 30 older adults (65 to 95 years of age) investigated vision loss and coping strategies. All participants experienced unexpected sight loss during their adult years. The Adaptation to Age-Related Vision Loss (AVL) Scale was used in this study to examine psychosocial adaptation to vision impairment. The coping strategies of vision impairment were assessed by collecting self-reported reflections toward vision loss and how the change impacted the participant's life. Given the correct balance of support, confidence, and acceptance, older adults can confront the existing barriers and focus on the ability to optimize function with vision loss. Health care service providers and practitioners can provide needed assistance and a helpful guide to assist older adults in successfully coping with vision impairment.

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