Of Family, Friends, and Strangers: Caregiving Satisfaction Across Three Types of Paid Caregivers

Abstract

ABSTRACT This study examines the experiences of 609 family, friend, and unrelated caregivers hired directly by clients under a consumer-directed model of home care. Using telephone survey data of clients and workers in California's In-Home Supportive Services program, this research compares outcomes and identifies predictors of caregiving work satisfaction across these three groups. In the total sample, feeling well prepared for the work predicted higher levels of satisfaction, while being Latino/Hispanic (as compared to being White or Black) predicted lower levels of satisfaction. Predictors varied depending on the caregiver's relationship with the client. In particular, friend caregivers who felt prepared were more satisfied than either strangers or family members. Understanding more about caregiver-client relationships and satisfaction is important to future workforce recruitment and retention efforts.