Abstract
BackgroundBaby boomers’ position in the caregiving context is shifting from caregiver to care recipient as the population ages. While the unique characteristics of baby boomer caregivers are well established in caregiving literature, there is limited information about the next caregiving group after the baby boomers. In this study, the sociodemographic and caregiving-related characteristics of the two generations are compared and specific factors contributing to caregiver burden between baby boomer and post baby boomer caregivers are identified.MethodsThis cross-sectional and correlational study used secondary analysis of data from the National Alliance for Caregiving and the American Association of Retired Persons. A structured online survey was conducted in 2014 with randomly selected samples (n = 1069) in the United States focusing on sociodemographics, caregiving-related characteristics, and burden of care. Descriptive statistics, multivariate linear regression analyses, and Steiger’s Z-test were used to identify group differences in multivariate factors related to caregiver burden in two generational groups.ResultsBaby boomers and post baby boomers experienced caregiver burden to a similar degree. Caregiving-related factors are more likely to increase burden of care than sociodemographics in both groups. Caregiving without choice and spending longer hours on caregiving tasks were common factors that increased the burden in both generational groups (all p values < 0.01). However, post baby boomer caregivers reported additional challenges, such as unemployment during caregiving, the dual responsibility of both adult and child care, and a family relationship with the care recipient.ConclusionsDue to the aging population of baby boomers, post baby boomers encounter different challenges related to caregiving burden, which is often considered an additional workload in their life course. Current policy and program tailored to baby boomers should be re-designed to meet the different needs of emerging caregivers. Specific vulnerable subgroups should have priority to receive the benefits of specific policies, such as those without choice and younger, working caregivers.
Highlights
Baby boomers’ position in the caregiving context is shifting from caregiver to care recipient as the population ages
Baby boomers’ position in the caregiving context is shifting from caregiver to care recipient [3, 7] because they are aging as a population [10], with high demands on their own health [4, 5]
In 2015, average ages of informal caregivers and care recipients in the U.S were 49 and 69 years old, respectively, which indicates that the generation after baby boomers are expected to play a critical role in informal caregiving
Summary
Baby boomers’ position in the caregiving context is shifting from caregiver to care recipient as the population ages. As a unique cohort due to the cultural shift and historical background [2, 3], baby boomer caregivers provide more and longer caregiving for aging parents than ever before as life expectancies increase. They continue to support their grown children financially, even in adulthood [4,5,6,7,8,9]. In 2015, average ages of informal caregivers and care recipients in the U.S were 49 and 69 years old, respectively, which indicates that the generation after baby boomers are expected to play a critical role in informal caregiving
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