Types and sources of support received by family caregivers of older adults from diverse racial and ethnic groups

Abstract

This study examines racial and ethnic variations in the types and sources of support caregivers receive. We conducted telephone surveys of 1,643 randomly selected respondents in California who provided care to someone age 50 or over. African-American, Asian/Pacific Islander, Hispanic/Latino, and white caregivers were compared with regard to support received from formal and informal sources. Patterns of support use were found to vary by racial/ethnic group, with Asian and Pacific Island caregivers most likely to receive help from informal sources only, white caregivers most likely to receive help from formal sources only, and African-American caregivers most likely to rely on a combination of formal and informal support. Results from this study underscore the importance of developing culturally appropriate systems of caregiver support that reflect the needs and practices of diverse caregiver groups. Further research is needed regarding the intersection of race, ethnicity, and other personal or environmental characteristics within the caregiving situation. © Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.