Changes to Family Caregiving of Older Adults and Adults with Disabilities during COVID-19. (March 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Lightfoot, Elizabeth; Yun, Heejung; Moone, Rajean; Otis, Jacob; Suleiman, Kamal; Turck, Kenneth; Kutzler, Courtney
• Is Part Of: Gerontology & geriatric medicine. Volume 7(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-03
• Subjects: family caregivers -- supports -- older people -- aging -- connections -- technology; Gerontology -- Periodicals; Geriatrics -- Periodicals; 618.97005
• DOI: 10.1177/23337214211002404
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2333-7214

Abstract

The strict restrictions to reduce the spread of COVID-19 have disrupted the lives of many at-risk people and their family caregivers. This study explored how family caregivers perceived that family caregiving had changed during COVID-19 and the strategies they used to cope with these changes. We conducted 52 semi-structured interviews with family caregivers of adults over age 65 or adults with disabilities and analyzed the data through an inductive thematic analysis. Caregivers perceived the largest COVID-19-related caregiving changes to be limited social and physical contacts, changed caregiving tasks, reduced services and supports, and a new focus on vigilance and safety. Caregivers made numerous changes to caregiving, including keeping connected, keeping relatives occupied, getting support and services in new ways, and reducing caregiver stress.