"If I'm not allowed to put my family first": challenges experienced by women who are caregiving for family members with dementia.
In this study of 26 employed, West Texas women caregivers, we found that women worried that they would not be able to give their family members the care they deserved because of the multiple demands placed on them. Women actively negotiated working conditions to achieve flexibility. Women who did not have access to flexibility often changed jobs until they had working conditions that provided it. Work provided a respite and a chance to feel some measure of control. In spite of the importance of work to them, these women paid costs for balancing both roles.
Dunham
Charlotte Chorn
CC
Texas Tech University,Department of Sociology, Anthropology and Social Work, Lubbock, TX 79409-1012, USA. charlotte.dunham@ttu.edu
Dietz
Bernadette E
BE
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D017028:Caregivers / Q000191:economics / Q000523:psychology*; D003704:Dementia / Q000191:economics / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy*; D005190:Family / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D012737:Sex Factors