The purpose of this study was to ascertain variations between primary and “secondary” caregivers (those who play a more supplemental role in the care of a relative). Survey data were collected from a sample of dementia caregivers recruited from the University of Kentucky Alzheimer's Disease Research Center (N = 1,016). Bivariate analyses found that primary and secondary caregivers varied on a number of background characteristics, and regression models indicated that primary caregivers provided a wider range of assistance with instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs), but not help with activities of daily living (ADLs). Primary and secondary caregivers did not differ significantly in reports of subjective health. The findings suggest that future research and interventions should be inclusive of primary and secondary caregivers.
Aneshensel CS, Pearlin LI, Mullan JT, et al.: Profiles in Caregiving: The Unexpected Career. San Diego, CA: Academic Press, 1995.
2.
Montgomery RJ, Williams KN: Implications of differential impacts of caregiving for future research on Alzheimer's care. Aging Ment Health. 2001; 5(Suppl 1): S23-S34.
3.
Gaugler JE, Kane RL, Kane RA: Family care for older adults with disabilities: Toward more targeted and interpretable research. Int J Aging Hum Dev.2002; 54(3): 205-231.
4.
Branch LG, Jette AM: Elders’ use of informal long-term care assistance. Gerontologist. 1983; 23(1): 51-56.
5.
Stephens SA, Christianson JB: Informal Care of the Elderly. Lexington, MA: Lexington Books, 1986.
6.
Stone R, Cafferata GL, Sangl J: Caregivers of the frail elderly: A national profile. Gerontologist. 1987; 27(5): 616-626.
7.
Tennstedt SL, McKinlay JB, Sullivan LM: Informal care for frail elders: The role of secondary caregivers. Gerontologist. 1989; 29(5): 677-683.
8.
Stoller E, Forster L, Duniho T: Systems of parent care within sibling networks. Res Aging. 1992; 14: 28-49.
9.
Franks MM, Stephens MA: Multiple roles of middle-generation caregivers: Contextual effects and psychological mechanisms. J Gerontol. 1992; 47(3): S123-S129.
10.
Thompson EH Jr, Futterman AM, Gallagher-Thompson D, et al.: Social support and caregiving burden in family caregivers of frail elders. J Gerontol. 1993; 48(5): S245-S254.
11.
Baillie V, Norbeck J, Barnes LE: Stress, social support, and psychological distress of family caregivers of the elderly. Nurs Res.1988; 37(4): 217-222.
12.
Gaugler JE, Edwards AB, Femia EE, et al.: Predictors of institutionalization of cognitively impaired elders: Family help and the timing of placement. J Gerontol B Psychol Sci Soc Sci.2000; 55(4): P247-P255.
13.
Stommel M, Given BA, Given CW, et al.: The impact of the frequency of care activities on the division of labor between primary caregivers and other providers. Res Aging. 1995; 17: 412-433.
14.
Dilworth-Anderson P, Williams SW, Cooper T: Family caregiving to elderly African Americans: Caregiver types and structures. J Gerontol B Psychol Sci Soc Sci.1999; 54(4): S237-S241.
15.
Bourgeois MS, Beach S, Schulz R, et al.: When primary and secondary caregivers disagree: Predictors and psychosocial consequences. Psychol Aging.1996; 11(3): 527-537.
16.
Kleban MH, Brody EM, Schoonover CB, et al.: Family help to the elderly: Perceptions of sons-in-law regarding parent care. J Marriage Fam.1989; 51: 303-312.
17.
Lieberman MA, Fisher L: The impact of chronic illness on the health and well-being of family members. Gerontologist. 1995; 35(1): 94-102.
18.
Pruchno RA, Peters ND, Burant CJ: Mental health of coresident family caregivers: Examination of a two-factor model. J Gerontol B Psychol Sci Soc Sci.1995; 50(5): P247-P256.
19.
Bedard M, Raney D, Molloy DW, et al.: The experience of primary and secondary caregivers caring for the same adult with Alzheimer's disease. J Ment Health Aging. 2001; 7: 287-296.
20.
Schmitt FA, Davis DG, Wekstein DR, et al.: “Preclinical” AD revisited: Neuropathology of cognitively normal older adults. Neurology.2000; 55(3): 370-376.
21.
Kane RL: Physiological well-being and health. In Kane RL, Kane RA (eds.): Assessing Older Persons: Measures, Meanings, and Practical Applications. New York: Oxford University Press, 2000.
22.
Folstein MF, Folstein SE, McHugh PR: “Mini-Mental State.” A practical method for grading the cognitive state of patients for the clinician. J Psychiatr Res.1975; 12(3): 189-198.
23.
Reisberg B, Ferris S, de Leon M, et al.: The Global Deterioration Scale for assessment of primary degenerative dementia. Am J Psychiatry. 1982; 139(9): 1136-1139.
24.
Cantor MH: Strain among caregivers: A study of experience in the United States. Gerontologist. 1983; 23(6): 597-604.
25.
Jarrott SE, Zarit SH, Stephens MAP, et al.: Effects of adult day service programs on time usage by employed and non-employed caregivers. J Appl Gerontol. 2000; 19: 371-388.
