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Purpose: We examined characteristics, responses, and psychological well-being of care partners who support and assist older adults recently diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Design and Methods: Based on a sample of 106 care partners of community residents diagnosed with MCI at memory clinics, we conducted face-to-face interviews including scales and open-ended questions. Measures tapped elements of the caregiver stress process model advanced by Pearlin and associates (1990, Caregiving and the stress process: An overview of concepts and their measures. "The Gerontologist" , 30, 583-594), including background characteristics, knowledge and attitude resources, stressors, strains, and protective conditions. The outcome was psychological well-being as indexed by depressive symptoms. Results: Care partners' depressive symptoms were higher in the context of poorer health, lower perceived importance of religion, less knowledge about dementia, being more bothered by the older adult's MCI symptoms, having a lower sense of environmental mastery, more perceived burden, more frequent use of coping strategies, and more social support. Narratives revealed multiple dimensions of stress, strain, and frustration, regardless of the level of depressive symptoms. Implications: Assisting a relative with MCI presents new and complex challenges, even though it is an early caregiving role. Care partners likely would benefit from strategies aimed at reducing self-blame, enhancing coping skills, sustaining their sense of mastery, managing their health, seeking and accepting respite, and communicating effectively with the person with MCI and significant others.

Introduction: An emerging perspective of dyadic coping with chronic illness argues that concordance in the appraisal of illness is crucial for collaborative attempts at seeking information, making treatment decisions, and [...]

Despite changes in the structure of contemporary families, little is known about extended family members—siblings, grandchildren, nieces/nephews, stepkin—who are primary caregivers for a relative living with dementia. Information about these caregivers is needed to help ensure their needs are understood by providers in health care and social service settings. The focus of this research was on the care situations of extended family caregivers and the impact of caregiving on their health and well-being. In Study 1, data from the National Study of Caregiving were used to describe the experiences of 107 extended family caregivers. In Study 2, case study techniques elicited additional information about the experiences of 10 extended family caregivers. Collectively, these caregivers provide care with little or no formal support and occasional help from a small informal network. Caregiving affected their physical and emotional health, depending on the strength of the relationship between the caregiver and the person living with dementia and the type of care provided. Findings contribute new knowledge about extended family caregivers and highlight the important role extended family dementia caregivers play and the challenges they face. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: We examined characteristics, responses, and psychological well-being of care partners who support and assist older adults recently diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Design and Methods: Based on a sample of 106 care partners of community residents diagnosed with MCI at memory clinics, we conducted face-to-face interviews including scales and open-ended questions. Measures tapped elements of the caregiver stress process model advanced by Pearlin and associates (1990, Caregiving and the stress process: An overview of concepts and their measures. The Gerontologist, 30, 583-594), including background characteristics, knowledge and attitude resources, stressors, strains, and protective conditions. The outcome was psychological well-being as indexed by depressive symptoms. Results: Care partners' depressive symptoms were higher in the context of poorer health, lower perceived importance of religion, less knowledge about dementia, being more bothered by the older adult's MCI symptoms, having a lower sense of environmental mastery, more perceived burden, more frequent use of coping strategies, and more social support. Narratives revealed multiple dimensions of stress, strain, and frustration, regardless of the level of depressive symptoms. Implications: Assisting a relative with MCI presents new and complex challenges, even though it is an early caregiving role. Care partners likely would benefit from strategies aimed at reducing self-blame, enhancing coping skills, sustaining their sense of mastery, managing their health, seeking and accepting respite, and communicating effectively with the person with MCI and significant others. Key Words: Care partner depressive symptoms, Caregiver stress process model, MCI doi: 10.1093/geront/gnp068

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to develop a profile of sexual abuse cases among adults aged 60 and older receiving attention from Adult Protective Services units in Virginia over a 5-year period. Design and Methods: We used bivariate analysis to characterize older adults (n = 82) experiencing sexual abuse and the circumstances of the abuse. We used multiple correspondence analysis, a multivariate method, to explore relationships between characteristics of the older adults and the type of sexual abuse experienced. Results: Most victims of sexual abuse were women, between the ages of 70 and 89, residing in a nursing home. Typically, sexual abuse involved instances of sexualized kissing and fondling and unwelcome sexual interest in the person's body. The majority of perpetrators were nursing home residents who were 60 years of age and older. In most situations, witnesses to the sexual abuse were facility residents. Implications: Orientation affects the invasiveness of the sexual abuse experienced by older adults. Our data reveal a small but persistent number of cases identifying individuals who are especially vulnerable to this form of abuse. These findings establish a baseline for future research and set the stage for further examination in both domestic and institutional settings as well as possible interventions and staff training. Key Words: Sexual abuse, Older men, Older women, Adult Protective Services, Nursing homes

The purpose of this study Was to identify changes and stability in the qualities older women attribute to their close friendships. Seventy-four older women responded to eleven structured statements describing qualities of their relationships with ninety-one close friends. Change was found for seven of the eleven qualities examined. Differences in the women's responses were observed according to which close friend they were discussing and changes in the women's marital, work, and health status. The findings provide insight into the character of women's close friendships in later life.

This study explored the relationships between young adults and their grandparents and great-grandparents. A convenience sample of fifty-two college students, who had at least one living grandparent and great-grandparent, completed a questionnaire that assessed their interactions with their grandparents and great-grandparents. The respondents engaged in more frequent contact and activities with their grandparents than with their great-grandparents. They also perceived their grandparents as having a more defined role and being more influential in their lives than great-grandparents. Discussion centers on potential personal and demographic factors that may have influenced the respondents' perceptions of and interactions with their great-grandparents.

This stud explored the significance of grandparents in the lives of young adult grandchildren. A convenience sample of 142 college students completed a questionnaire that examined four areas: frequency of activities, value development, relationship solidarity, and role conception. While current interactions with grandparents were infrequent, grandchildren did perceive their grandparents, and grandmothers in particular, as influential in their value development. Grandchildren reported stronger relationships with grandmothers than with grandfathers. Differences in participation, value development, and relationships were also found according to the role in which grandchildren conceptualized grandparents. Discussions centers on the factors that may have influenced grandchildren's perceptions and interactions with grandparents.

This study examined the strategies used by 101 older women, aged 65 to 94, to cope with their hip fractures. During an interview, the women described their health, income, ability to perform tasks of daily living, cognitive functioning, locus of control, levels of depression, informal network, and use of coping strategies. Results indicate that the women used a variety of different coping strategies, with 'seeking social support' being the most frequent. A strong belief in external control was the only resource predictive of the coping strategies employed. The use of several emotional-focused strategies was associated with poorer functional recovery.

Background and Objectives Relocation to a residential care facility has been described as the most significant relocation affecting older adults, yet subsequent relocations, like in the case of a facility closure, have received minimal attention in the scholarly research literature. This paper reviews the published literature on involuntary relocation, focusing on the experiences of residents, families, and staff and the effects of involuntary relocation on nursing home residents' health. Research Design and Methods We conducted a scoping review to identify peer-reviewed studies reporting on involuntary relocation of nursing home residents. A total of 28 quantitative, qualitative, and mixed-method articles met inclusion criteria. Results Researchers mostly relied on longitudinal designs and quantitative indicators of functional health, cognitive status, psychological and emotional well-being, environment, and relocation context to examine residents' mortality risk and health outcomes associated with involuntary relocation. Inclusion of qualitative and mixed-method approaches was infrequent, as were indicators of social engagement and perceptions of relocation. Residents' awareness of and preparation for involuntary relocation positively influenced their health and well-being. Family involvement was frequently hindered by communication challenges with facilities. Staff expressed concern about residents, experienced increased workload demands, and acknowledged challenges with planning and communication. Discussion and Implications Based on the collective findings, we propose a conceptual model of critical factors at play during relocation for consideration for guiding future research and developing provisions to current policies guiding relocation processes. Facilities and policymakers need to consider procedures that enhance planning efforts and decision-making among this vulnerable population and their families. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objectives We explore how an understudied population of older individuals addresses their ongoing care needs when ineligible for Medicaid waiver services. Research Design and Methods Using regression techniques, we identified factors associated with service use and health outcomes among 1,008 older adults (60+) who applied for Medicaid waiver assistance. Exploratory follow-up interviews with eight waiver-ineligible rural-dwelling individuals identified strategies used for managing their care needs. Results Mortality was high among study participants. Specifically, being waiver-ineligible increased the risk of mortality. Waiver-ineligible individuals were more likely to access alternative services and supports. Rural-dwelling older adults were less likely to be waiver-eligible, but twice as likely to access alternative services and supports, compared to nonrural older adults. Participants interviewed had ongoing unmet needs, relied on family and community services, and used internal and external strategies to manage care needs. Discussion and Implications Having unmet needs increased the risk of mortality, whereas receiving full waiver services extended the lives of recipients. More generous services extend the lives of older, highly vulnerable, community-residing older people. Less generous services also extended life, but not to the same extent. Individuals without formal assistance relied on various strategies to confront ongoing daily challenges. Assisting a broader range of older adults with unmet needs is essential in addressing care needs and maintaining functional capacity to remain at home. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]