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Episodic Crises in the Provision of Care to Elderly Relatives

University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC

Anne Martin-Matthews

University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC

Monique A. M. Gignac

University of Toronto, Toronto, ON

An extensive body of research explores caring for older relatives. However, relatively little is known about crisis episodes in the provision of care to older adults. The purpose of this research is to explore the nature of crises in employed caregivers' lives by examining the type, frequency, and impact associated with crises. Data come from the Canadian Aging Research Network's (CARNET) survey of 5,496 employed Canadians. The analyses focus on open- and close-ended data collected from 250 respondents (108 men and 142 women) with caregiving responsibilities. Nearly half the participants (47%) reported a crisis in the previous 6 months. Crises are predictable and unpredictable events in the lives of the caregiver and the older person receiving care. They are primarily health related but could also be social, emotional, financial, and idiosyncratic to a family. Findings from this research contribute to a more comprehensive understanding of the trajectories in caregiving.

Key Words: crisis • caregiving • participation in work and nonwork activities • employed caregivers • mobilization of resources

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