Notes that diseases affect health and functional status of patients in different ways and have variable impacts on family caregivers. Using hip fracture, dementia, and stroke as examples, illustrates how physical, social, psychological, and cognitive disabilities place different demands on caregivers. (Author)

Nurses (N=30) employed in nursing homes were trained as Geriatric Nurse Practitioners and then implemented their new clinical roles as direct employees of the original facility. Results showed the nurses, their directors, and administrators perceived the nurses as having positive effects on resident outcomes, but described difficulties in…

Nineteen older women gave their perceptions of great-grandmotherhood. They modeled their behavior on their earlier role of grandmother, but age and lack of geographic proximity restricted their ability to carry it out in the same way. Great-grandmotherhood was significant for symbolic and emotional rather than social and instrumental reasons.…

Examined potential benefits and costs of having both work and elder care responsibilities, based on interviews with 94 employed caregivers. For most respondents, negative aspects of combining work and caregiving roles were outweighed by positive aspects, such as sense of accomplishment, enhanced interpersonal relationships, and opportunities to…

Conducted a three-generation study of women's attitudes toward gender-appropriate roles and filial responsibility. United States gender-role attitudes were more egalitarian than those of the Japanese. In both countries, all three generations agreed that care of the elderly is a family responsibility, but attitudes toward filial responsibility were…

Evaluated role expectancies in essential nursing services of nursing home professional and relatives of residents. Although findings revealed significant agreement between groups, areas existed where families deemed themselves responsible for task but staff expectations were incongruent. Provides analysis of this process and discusses steps to…

Presents examples from ancient Greece and Rome illustrating working aged and intergenerational dependence. Describes normal active participation of elderly as officers and common soldiers in ancient military as example of their capabilities. Notes that Alexander the Great's army, in particular, depended on contributions of older men. (Author/NB)

Examined loss of identity resulting from engulfment in caregiver role among 555 adult children and spouses caring for Alzheimer patient. Loss was more common among spouses, females, and younger caregivers. Limited social contact and lack of social roles were related to greater loss of self. Found loss of self associated with lower…

This paper is focused on the development of a theoretical model of social role reconstructuring. The novel input of the suggested model is an intervention strategy that interposes at the stage of susceptability before the breakdown syndrome begins. (Author)

Interviewed 114 grandparents. Found three major grandparent roles: custodial, living with grandchild, and day-care roles. Found that custodial grandparents often obtained that relationship because of severe problems in nuclear family. Day-care grandparents provided regular help to grandchild's nuclear family. Decision to provide care was often…

A questionnaire was developed to study the perceptions toward the rehabilitation potential of the aged by those associated with homes for the aged. Differences in perceptions were found between role categories and by years of education. Attitudinal differences can be related to policy-making, care of aged, and self-images of residences. Based on…

Relatively few widows enter the labor force, but this is due to the high percentage who are already working. Results suggest a probable overestimation of the usefulness of jobs as role replacements or income producers for widows. (Author)

The impact of the husband's retirement on the wife's conception of three aspects of her role as housewife was studied. Retired teachers and their wives were surveyed. The shift for women was toward increased accommodation to their husbands' needs. Negative changes were offset by increased opportunities for nurturing of spouse. (Author)

This study of white-collar working women investigates their views toward retirement with emphasis on variables contributing to attitudes and behavior. Findings indicate inadequate preparation for retirement and suggest areas of research related to contemporary female work patterns which may assist practitioners and policy-makers to correct the…

Survey responses of 704 college students revealed that majority had at least 1 grandparent and some had 8 or more. Students identified degree of closeness with closest grandmother and grandfather. Students' perceptions of grandparent and grandchild roles were generally positive, indicating affection and respect for grandparents. Found differences…