Caregiving tasks and training interest of family caregivers of medically ill homebound older adults.
OBJECTIVE
This study assessed the caregiving activities and training interests of family caregivers of medically ill older adults without dementia who receive home health care.


METHODS
Participants were 101 family caregivers of patients from the Training in the Assessment of Depression (TRIAD) study. Caregivers were assessed using a sociodemographic questionnaire and measures of caregiver tasks and training interest.


RESULTS
Family caregivers provided a variety of caregiving tasks and their interest in training was independent of current provision of tasks. Black caregivers expressed greater overall interest in receiving training than did White caregivers, as did younger caregivers compared to same-generation caregivers.


CONCLUSIONS
Family caregivers in this study evidenced both a range of care provision and clear interest in improving caregiving skills through training. Research efforts should focus on meeting the specific training needs of family caregivers and determining the impact training can have on patient health outcomes.
Wilkins
Victoria M
VM
Department of Psychiatry, Weill Medical College of Cornell University, 21 Bloomingdale Road, White Plains, NY 10605, USA. vmw2001@med.cornell.edu
Bruce
Martha L
ML
Sirey
Jo Anne
JA
D000328:Adult; D001741:Black or African American; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D044383:Black People; D017028:Caregivers / Q000193:education*; D005190:Family; D005260:Female; D005851:Geriatric Nursing / Q000193:education*; D006630:Hispanic or Latino; D006699:Home Care Services; D006701:Home Nursing / Q000193:education*; D018577:Homebound Persons; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009042:Motivation; D009518:New York; D044465:White People