Respite Utilization and Responses to Loss Among Family Caregivers: Relationship Matters

Abstract

Family caregivers of physically and cognitively impaired older adults face multiple challenges when providing care, including responses to tangible and anticipated losses. However, little is known about the grief experiences of family caregivers and how these might differentially influence the care-related behaviors of spouses and adult children. The present study examined the longitudinal relationship between grief reactions in current spousal and adult-children caregivers (N = 72) and in-home respite utilization over 3 months. The Heartfelt Sadness and Longing subscale of the Marwit-Meuser Caregiver Grief Inventory Short Form (S. J. Marwit & T. M. Meuser, 2005) was used to assess the grief experiences of participants, and demonstrated good internal reliability among spousal and adult-child caregivers of older adults with a variety of cognitive and physical conditions. Although there was not an association between spouses' grief subscale scores and later respite use, adult children were more likely to use respite after reporting higher levels of grief reactions. This study contributes to our ongoing understanding of differences between spousal and adult-children caregivers of impaired older adults and also lends further support for the reliability and construct validity of the Heartfelt Sadness and Longing subscale of the Marwit-Meuser Caregiver Grief Inventory.

Next of kin's experiences of information and responsibility during their older relatives’ care transitions from hospital to municipal health care

“…DeCaporale et al . () discovered that active next of kin also experience grief prior to the loss of their older relative. Therefore, nurses should recognise grief among next of kin and sensitively map their needs and offer necessary support.…”

An examination and proposed definitions of family members’ grief prior to the death of individuals with a life-limiting illness: A systematic review

“…I feel I have already lost the person). Nine studies 50,53,63,80,127,131,132,134,146 used Rando’s 12 definition of anticipatory grief and two 68,75 used Lindemann’s 11 definition of anticipatory grief. Ten studies 23,25,34,51,55,59,74,110,120,123 used the term anticipatory grief, but did not define it beyond using a measure conceptualized as measuring anticipatory grief.…”

“…Lastly, of the studies that used the term anticipatory grief, the Anticipatory Grief Scale was the most used measure (14 studies; 26,34,63,70,87,92,110,124,132,143,147,148 ). The Marwit-Meuser-Caregiver Grief Inventory 56,66,80,113,122,127,142 Marwit-Meuser-Caregiver Grief Inventory- Short Form 25,44,53,74 was used in 11 studies.…”

Experiences of adult family members of caregivers who give care to relatives with dementia

“…Given the multi-faceted role that caregivers and family members engage in, a range of support services has become available for them to enhance their caregiving skills, continue in their caregiving role, and, most importantly, remain healthy; however, these services may not be available to all family caregivers (Decaporale, Mensie, & Steffen, 2013).…”

“…Caregivers of individuals with dementia may benefit from support services including psychosocial support, skill training, and respite services (Decaporale et al, 2013). Support is required not only in caregiving to the individual with dementia but also in ascertaining the caregivers' and family members' meaningful personal work that has been jeopardized because of caregiving, which in turn can impact their sense of identity and well-being (Hwang et al, 2009).…”