Case studies demonstrate that when chronic sexual conflict constitutes a factor in family homeostasis, nursing home placement of the aged ill is a likely event when either there is a shift in family dynamics due to death or illness of a key member or the aged becomes overtly psychiatrically disabled. (Author)

Reviews family support to the elderly in America. The seven articles discuss stress factors affecting caregivers, helping behavior of adult children, racial and cohort variables, the family as a support resource in nursing home care, and improving helping skills. (JAC)

This manual is based upon a study of 247 old people and their families and five long-term care facilities in New York City. The data indicate that what families do for their aged kin in institutions makes a difference to the older person, and that the ability of families to maintain contact with their institutionalized relative depends, in part,…