scholarly journals Family Caregiving in the Somali-American Community During COVID-19

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 947-947
Author(s):  
Rajean Moone ◽  
Kamal Suleiman ◽  
Elizabeth Lightfoot

Abstract This poster describes a study of Somali American family caregiving during the COVID-19 pandemic, specifically investing the unique caregiving challenges faced by Somali caregivers. The findings from this study, which was part of a larger study related to family caregiving, were drawn from in-depth interviews of ten Somali family caregivers in Minnesota. All interviews were conducted in Somali during the summer of 2020 and translated and transcribed by a certified translator and research assistant. The major themes that emerged from this study related to Visitation, Hospital Accompaniment, and Self Sacrifice. As Somali culture is centered around extended family connections, isolation places particular strain. Second, family members typically serve as advocates, translators and guides during hospital visits. The restrictions on hospital accompaniment due to COVID-19 caused increased stress and poorer care of family caregivers and their loved ones. Third, in the Somali community, family placement is a last resort. Caregivers reported great sacrifices in time, comfort and opportunities to care for family members during COVID-19. Most of the caregivers described their coping with these sacrifices in terms of radical acceptance and God consciousness. These findings have important implications for providing supports for Somali family caregivers.

2017 ◽  
Vol 61 (6) ◽  
pp. 1067-1082 ◽  
Author(s):  
Petrus Ng ◽  
Daniel KW Young ◽  
Jiayan Pan ◽  
King-Keung Law

Family members play an important role in caregiving with more emphasis on early intervention for people suffering from mental illness. Using both quantitative and qualitative methods, this study examines the effects of a community mental health intervention project (CoMHIP) on burdens of caregivers who have family members with suspected mental illness. Results showed that family caregivers’ burden and psychological stress level had been reduced ( p < .001). The caregivers subjectively experienced a significant reduction in stress regarding the caregiving subscales, supervision, tension, worrying and urging after seeking CoMHIP service. Findings for the study have implications on social work interventions regarding family caregiving of people with suspected mental health problems.


Author(s):  
Lotte Marcus ◽  
Valerie Jaeger

ABSTRACTThe experiences of elderly persons caring for elderly family members at home were examined by means of in-depth interviews with fourty-seven subjects in Montreal and seven in England. The analysis of the Montreal sample revealed that denial of fears and unwillingness to think about the future, as well as negative assessments of cared-for-person's health were more prevalent in women than in men. Women also mentioned more frequently that religious beliefs influenced their caregiving and seemed to feel more strongly the impact and burden caregiving placed on them. Experiences with old people in earlier life was associated with low burden scores; few visitors and a belief that cared-for-person was critical of them were associated with high burden scores. Suggestions for further research and recommendations for supportive services to caregivers are made.


2005 ◽  
Vol 15 (3-4) ◽  
pp. 263-271 ◽  
Author(s):  
LKP Yap ◽  
CCD Seow ◽  
LM Henderson ◽  
YNJ Goh

The alarming statistics of dementia are now widely acknowledged. The most recent estimates indicate 24.3 million suffer from this condition worldwide, with a new case being diagnosed every seven seconds. For the person afflicted, it robs him of his identity and, in the opinion of many, even his personhood. For family members, bereavement can begin from the early stages of the disease where a once-treasured relationship is gradually eroded. Family carers remain the main persons providing care, having to face much emotional, practical and economic strain in the process. Although there is no standard definition of family caregiving, it is understood to involve providing extraordinary care, often outside the bounds of what is usual in family relationships. Caregiving typically stretches over a prolonged period and entails significant expenditure of time, energy, finances, and tasks that may be unpleasant, emotionally stressful and physically exhausting.


2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 800-800
Author(s):  
Mary Dioise Ramos

Abstract Family caregiving is evolving in multiple ways. There is an increasing recognition of the role of informal or unpaid family caregivers. Extensive body of research shows that family members who provide care to individuals with chronic or disabling conditions are themselves at risk. However, most evidence on family caregiving gear towards Caucasian middle-class populations. There is limited research that exists about aging immigrant family caregivers who are ill-prepared for their role and provide care with little or no support. The specific aim of this study was to assess and determine the association of health status, social engagement, and health literacy among aging immigrant family caregivers. This study utilized a non-experimental, cross-sectional, correlational design. Most of the participants are female married Asian women, who are retired, living with their spouses, and taking care of their family members more than 4 hours a day with Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and cardiovascular disorder. Most participants have existing medical condition such as hypertension, diabetes, high cholesterol, and heart disease. Most participants experienced problem with sleep and difficulty falling asleep. While some participants experienced fatigue and having trouble doing regular leisure activities with others. There is an association between sleep disturbance and ability to participate in social roles and activities among aging immigrant family caregivers. Inclusion of people from different ethnicities, backgrounds, and socioeconomic position in caregiver research is vitally important. There is a need for a greater understanding of the contextual factors of family caregiving and recognizing the prevalence and characteristics of aging immigrant family caregivers.


1998 ◽  
Vol 14 (2) ◽  
pp. 14-22 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kelli I. Stajduhar ◽  
Betty Davies

This study explored the day-to-day experiences of family members providing care at home for their dying loved one with HIV/AIDS. In-depth interviews with seven caregivers were analyzed using grounded theory qualitative methods. A conceptualization of the family caregiving experience portrays HIV/AIDS caregiving as an intense, emotional, and powerful experience filled with pride and enrichment, and conversely, with anger and disillusionment. Findings reflected a significant need for interventions designed to provide direct and effective support for family members caring for a loved one with HIV/AIDS.


2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (4) ◽  
pp. 176
Author(s):  
Jung Hee Lee

Recently research has identified positive dimensions of the caregiving experience. However, there is still a dearth of research into positive aspects of home-based family caregiving for older adults in various cultural contexts. This exploratory study seeks to expand our knowledge in this area by exploring the positive experience of Korean family caregivers who cared for older adults with frailty at home and how they can transform their caregiving experience into positive one despite of many challenges. Eighteen family caregivers were explored through semi-structured in-depth interviews. Participants reported several positive aspects from their home-based elder caregiving experience. The positive aspects were categorized into three groups; relational aspects, personal aspects, and spiritual aspects. Findings indicate that Koran family caregivers of older adults in this study perceive that caregiving experience is challenging but also offers an opportunity for gains.


Author(s):  
Catherine Ward-Griffin

ABSTRACTAlthough the experiences of formal and informal caregiving have been discussed and debated in the literature, more is assumed than is actually known (McDaniel & Gee, 1993). This qualitative study explored both informal and formal caregivers' perceptions of their own caregiving and the views of each other's caregiving. Information was collected through the use of in-depth interviews with 23 family caregivers and 15 nurses providing home care to older persons. Analysis of interview transcripts and field notes reveals that both informal and formal caregivers engage in all facets of caring work – physical, intellectual and emotional care – but that they carry out this work in varying degrees, and for different reasons. The reasons given for these differences, namely the nurses' professional knowledge and higher status designation, are key elements that define the boundaries between professional and family caregiving. However, it is apparent that, over time, this demarcation diminishes as family caregivers' knowledge and skill match those of health professionals. Study findings point to implications for future theory development and research.


2019 ◽  
Vol 25 (2) ◽  
pp. 260-286 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jingjun Zhang ◽  
Diana Tze Fan Lee

Meaning in caregiving plays an influential role in stroke family caregiver’s perception and adaptation to caregiving. Although the role meaning plays in stroke family caregiving has been recognized, knowledge about this subject among the Chinese population is fragmented and sparse. Therefore, a hermeneutic phenomenological study was conducted as a first step in a program of research focused on Chinese caregivers utilizing a purposive sample of five stroke family caregivers living in China to explore the meaning of the lived caregiving experience. Data were collected through in-depth interviews and analyzed by a phenomenological hermeneutic interpretation. Meaning in stroke family caregiving was interpreted as suffering, an obligation, a personal choice, a meaningful opportunity, and a natural part of living. These meanings were dynamic and interconnected and were affected deeply by the Chinese culture in how caregivers experience, interpret, and cope with caregiving. Findings highlight the need to understand the culture-shaped meanings in caregiving to better support family caregivers and develop culturally tailored interventions.


2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 447-447
Author(s):  
Man Wai Lun

Abstract A pilot self-care educational training, focusing on common caregiving stress, self-care, conflicts, and communication within families for supporting caregiving for family members of old age, was offered to the Chinese American community. After the series of training, 16 participants were asked to evaluate their knowledge of family caregiving as well as the training. Results of the preliminary study revealed that most participants found the training informative but were not sure if they would continue to apply over time. Overall participants reported to be satisfied with the training and receptive to additional training in the future. Results encourage further implementing the training, and investigation of the longitudinal effect of the training to help with family caregiving issues.


2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 809-810
Author(s):  
Taiji Noguchi ◽  
Takahiro Hayashi ◽  
Yuta Kubo ◽  
Naoki Tomiyama ◽  
Akira Ochi ◽  
...  

Abstract COVID-19 infections are particularly lethal in older adults; thus, social activities of older adults and their families in the community have been restricted. The threat of infection, restrictions on social activities, and limitations on the provision of care services for older adults could increase family caregivers’ burden and impact their mental health. This cross-sectional study examined the association between family caregiving and change in depression during the COVID-19 pandemic. In October 2020, we conducted a mailed questionnaire survey on a random sample of functionally independent community-dwelling older adults in a semi-urban area of Japan. Based on the depression status between March and October 2020, participants were classified into four groups: “consistently non-depressed,” “depression onset,” “recovering from depression,” and “remained depressed.” Participants were assessed for providing care for their family members or not. Caregiver participants were also assessed on their caregiving role (primary or secondary), the severity of their care-recipient’s needs, and an increased caregiver burden. Data from 957 older adults were analyzed. The participants’ mean age (SD) was 80.8 (4.8) years, and 53.5% were female. Multivariable multinomial logistic regression analysis revealed that family caregiving was associated with depression onset (OR=3.17 [95%CI=1.57-6.40], p=0.001) and remaining depressed (2.53 [1.36-4.71], p=0.004). Particularly, primary caregivers, those providing care for family members with severer care need-levels, and those with an increased caregiver burden had a higher risk of depression onset and remaining depressed. Family caregivers could have severe mental health conditions during the pandemic. Developing a support system is essential to protect their mental health.


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