Development of support networks in informal dementia care: Guided, organic, and chance routes through support

Valerie Egdell*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

10 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Increasing knowledge about factors that shape the development of care networks for people with dementia is imperative in countries with aging populations that are relying increasingly on informal care. This study used a qualitative approach to identify the complex routes through support taken by informal caregivers for people with dementia in the development of their care networks. Interview data were collected from 13 caregivers. Three routes through support were identified: guided routes, organic routes, and chance routes. This article's principal argument is that these routes are the outcomes not only of the resources that caregivers draw upon, but also of their varying expectations regarding the role of the informal caregiver. The identification of the three routes through support provides a potentially valuable framework for examining the experiences of caregivers for individuals with other long-term health conditions.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)445-455
Number of pages11
JournalCanadian Journal on Aging
Volume31
Issue number4
Early online date1 Oct 2012
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Dec 2012
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Aging
  • Caregivers
  • Caregiving
  • Dementia
  • Social support

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