title: Diverse Family Structures and the Care of Older Persons.
abstract: Demographic and social trends lead to a variety of micro-level and internal structural contexts that influence caregiving in families with older members. The results of macro-level changes have received little focused attention in the aging literature, where much of the caregiving research has addressed issues within the context of traditional family structure. Yet the conventional nuclear family model is increasingly uncommon as new, pluralistic models of family life are emerging in contemporary society. The majority of elder care is provided by relatives, albeit with varying patterns of involvement and responsibility across family structures. Both conventional and pluralistic families face challenges in meeting the care needs of their oldest members, leaving some older adults at risk of having unmet needs. Additional research on family risk and resilience related to the care of older relatives is warranted, particularly with respect to pluralistic models of family life.
authors: Center for Gerontology and Institute for Society,Culture, and Environment,Virginia Tech.
authors: Karen A
authors: KA
authors: Roberto
authors: Center for Gerontology and Department of Human Development,Virginia Tech.
authors: Rosemary
authors: R
authors: Blieszner
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology*; D017028:Caregivers; D018864:Cultural Diversity; D005190:Family; D005195:Family Relations; D006801:Humans
keywords: aging; aging families; diversité de la famille; familles vieillissant; family caregiving; family diversity; family roles; family structure; rôles familiaux; soins familiaux; structure familiale; vieillissment