Characterizing Caregiver Roles and Conflict in Health Management Support to Older People With Multiple Chronic Conditions

Andrea M. Russell*, Morgan Bonham, Rebecca Lovett, Allison Pack, Michael S. Wolf, Rachel O’Conor

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Caregivers provide critical support for older adults managing multiple chronic conditions (MCCs), but few studies describe the assistance caregivers provide or identify factors influencing their provision of support. We conducted qualitative interviews with 25 caregivers to older adults with MCCs to describe caregivers’ roles and identify the factors that influence caregivers’ ability to carry out these roles. Transcripts were analyzed using the Framework Method. Caregivers supported the management of MCCs in several ways, including monitoring conditions, communicating with clinicians, and tracking health information. Disagreement, or conflicted relationships, between caregivers and older adults over health and behaviors influenced the provision of support, resulting in less involved and less effective caregivers. Caregivers in conflicted relationships were more challenged by resistance from older adults. Greater agreement, or collaboration, between caregivers and older adults resulted in more involved and effective caregivers. Addressing health-related conflict may enhance caregivers’ capacity to support older adults with MCCs.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)386-395
Number of pages10
JournalJournal of Applied Gerontology
Volume43
Issue number4
DOIs
StatePublished - Apr 2024

Funding

The author(s) disclosed receipt of the following financial support for the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article: This work was supported by the National Institute on Aging [R01AG030611], the National Institutes of Health’s National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences [UL1TR001422], the Claude D. Pepper Older Americans Independence Center at Northwestern Feinberg School of Medicine [P30AG059988], and a training grant from the National Institute on Aging [K01AG070107 to R.O.].

Keywords

  • caregiving, chronic illness
  • conflict
  • health behavior
  • relationships

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Gerontology
  • Geriatrics and Gerontology

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