Who'll Care for Them in the Event of Me Dying? Custodial Grandparents' Incapacity, Mortality, and Succession Care-Plan Fears for Their Custodial Grandchild/ren. Issue 2 (3rd April 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Taylor, Myra F.; Coall, David A.; Karthigesu, Shantha
• Is Part Of: Journal of intergenerational relationships. Volume 17:Issue 2(2019)
• Page Start: 178
• Page End: 200
• Publication Date: 2019-04-03
• Subjects: Custodial grandparents -- grandchildren -- mortality fears -- succession planning -- care transition barriers; Intergenerational relations -- Periodicals; 306.87405
• DOI: 10.1080/15350770.2018.1535344
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1535-0770

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Custodial grandparents are a vulnerable and marginalised group within society. A total of 110 these custodial grandparents took part in a mixed-method (qualitative interview and quantitative survey) research project. Of these, 22 participated in a semi-structured interview, 27 participated in an interview and completed a Grandcarer Needs, Wellbeing and Health Survey, and 61 completed a survey only. Data were subjected to conventional, summative and directed content analysis. The results reveal that while a few custodial grandparents have a viable succession plan for their custodial grandchildren's care post their incapacitation or demise, the majority do not. Indeed, many custodial grandparents have such a conflictual (or no) relationship with not only their offspring, but also their extended family members, coupled with a deep distrust of the foster-care system that their succession (Plan B) care options for their custodial grandchild are limited. The prevailing plan being not to die before their grandchild/ren reach maturity. The health implications of raising grandchildren without a viable succession plan are discussed.