“The Hidden Caregiver”: Kinship Caregivers and Lessons Learned from Dementia Family Caregiving

Abstract

Kinship care is defined as informal custodial care for children (typically grandchildren) due to parental hardship or absence. In contrast, dementia family caregiving refers to care rendered to an impaired, demented adult, typically an older husband or wife. Literature is reviewed and parallel issues relating to stress and coping that impact both caregiver groups are noted. Data are presented from both survey and focus groups conducted with kinship caregivers and their social service caseworkers. In light of previous research conducted with dementia caregivers, practice implications are discussed and several specific recommendations are presented for program development and further research with kinship caregivers.