Paid Help and Caregiving Experiences of Black Caregivers of Community-Dwelling Older Adults

Abstract

ABSTRACT Objectives We examine associations between use of paid help and caregiving-related experiences (emotional, financial, and physical difficulty) of Black family and unpaid caregivers of older adults. Methods We examine a sample of N = 572 non-Hispanic Black caregivers of community-dwelling older adults receiving help with daily activities from the 2015 National Health and Aging Trends Study (NHATS) and National Study of Caregiving (NSOC). Guided by Pearlin’s Stress Process Model, logistic regression models examine associations between assisting with finding paid help and caregiver experiences. Results Black caregivers who helped care recipients find paid help more often had a college degree or higher, were helping older adults who received assistance with three or more self-care/mobility activities or who were living in poverty and were not receiving help with caregiving from family and friends. In fully-adjusted models, assisting with finding paid help was associated with emotional (AOR 1.92, 95% CI 1.27, 2.92 p < .01) and physical (AOR 2.16, 95% CI 1.04, 4.51; p = .04) difficulty. Conclusions Greater efforts are needed to support Black family and unpaid caregivers who are caring for older adults using paid help. Clinical Implications Future interventions that target Black caregivers of older adults using paid help could be useful for improving caregiving experiences.