How does social support and health care policy influence the overall well-being of a family caregiver for persons with chronic illnesses and the elderly?
Date
2015
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Publisher
University of Delaware
Abstract
The rapid increase in the 65 and older population, coupled with the decline in the working age population, has caused concern for the elderly and policymakers, ushering health care policy, long-term services and supports, community-based services, and the welfare of family caregivers to the forefront of the policy agenda. The increasingly popular desire to age-in-place and the shift to community- and home-based health services have added emphasis to the extensive role of the family caregiver, thus highlighting the importance of caregiver well-being. For this study, a secondary data analysis was conducted using a data set from Chronic Illness and Caregiving; 2000. Based on a sample of 320 caregivers, this study examines the influence of social support on caregiver well-being for sole caregivers and co-caregivers, how the perception of social support relates to caregiver well-being, and whether access to resources influences caregiver well-being. Attitudes surrounding policy change and tax initiatives targeting caregivers and the care recipients are examined to identify whether differences exist between those who can and cannot provide the care that is needed. Results show that sole caregivers and co-caregivers do not differ in well-being ( p =1.50), there is a clinically significant relationship between perceived social support and well-being (p =0.55), and that a strong relationship exists between well-being and the accessibility of resources via community groups/organizations (p = 0.034). Results show that the willingness to support various tax breaks and policy changes does not differ for those who can and cannot provide care without the need for assistance. This study has limitations due to the small sample of caregivers. Further research should control for gender and race and examine the differences between well-being for caregivers and non-caregivers.