Convergent Caregiving: Exploring Eldercare in Families of Children with Disabilities

Abstract

This study explores eldercare in families of disabled children. Qualitative analysis of interviews with eight mothers simultaneously caring for elders and children with extended care needs suggests that (a) elders who need care may have previously been a critical source of support; (b) resources needed for one type of care may be depleted by the other; (c) family members may feel mothers are too burdened to care for elders; (d) the skills acquired in the process of parenting children with disabilities can transfer to eldercare; and (e) bonds between children with disabilities and elders may help mothers cope with convergent caregiving.