Health Services Planning and Marketing
Taking Care of the Elderly: Which Options is Best for Your Loved One or Family Member
December 13, 2009
Table of Contents
Introduction…………………………………………………………… 3
Nursing Home Care………………………………………………….. 7
Adult Daycare…………………………………………………………. 10
Home Health and Hospice…………………………………………... 11
Conclusion……………………………………………………………. 16
References…………………………………………………………….. 17
Introduction
According to the United States Bureau of the Census, as of 1995 there were at least 54 million people who were 55 years old or older and 33.5 million of those were over 65 years old (Mathur & Moschis, 1999). According to the National Alliance for Caregiving, more than 22 million …show more content…
Role conflict refers to the strain that arises when the demands from one or more other roles jeopardizes the adequate performance in other roles (Singleton, 2000). When any of the above stressors come into play in the caregiver’s life, it may start a chain of events that not only affects the performance in each role, but it may also affect their mental and physical health, as well as their financial well-being and perceived employment worth (Singleton, 2000). Many caregivers, recognizing that they are unable to adequately meet the needs of their family members while working full-time, will reduce the number of hours that they work. One study estimated that caregivers spend over 40 hours per week in caring for their elderly family members (Kossek, Colquitt, & Noe, 2001; Covinsky, et al, 2001). While reducing the hours that one works may decrease stress in the amount of time available for care, it increases the stress on the financial well-being of both caregiver and those who are cared for. In a survey conducted by HR Magazine (2000), participants admitted to being perceived by their employers as unreliable once elderly relatives moved in to be cared for. Some have quit their jobs altogether to become independent contractors, others spend lunch hours and time after work on caring for their family, while hoping that they are still able to cope with their job at work (Gerbman, 2000). This may appear to be similar to what