Geriatric Rehabilitation and the Older Adult Family Caregiver: Stages of Caregiving

Issue title: Geriatric Rehabilitation

Guest editors: Peter A. LichtenbergIssue Editor

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Lichtenberg, Peter A. | Gibbons, T. Ann

Affiliations: Wayne State School of Medicine, Dept. PM&R, Rehabilitation Institute of Michigan, Detroit, MI

Abstract: The development of a chronic illness, whether it is physical or cognitive in nature, has far-reaching implications for elderly patients and their spouses. While the plight of the patient, or care recipient, has been well documented, it has only been in the past ten years that the problems incurred by elderly spousal caregivers has begun to receive attention. In this article, difficulties experienced by elderly spousal caregivers, particularly women, are identified and a model for conceptualizing the three stages of caregiving are presented. The ways in which health care professionals can assist caregivers and alleviate their burdens and methods for determining which stage of caregiving the caretaker may be in and the particular needs associated with each stage are also discussed.

DOI: 10.3233/NRE-1993-3109

Journal: NeuroRehabilitation, vol. 3, no. 1, pp. 62-71, 1993