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Biomedical subjects

Karl Pillemer

Publications and source records attributed to Karl Pillemer.

9 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Within-family differences in mothers' support to adult children.

OBJECTIVE: In this article we explore the ways in which mothers provide support differentially to their adult children and the factors that explain such differentiation. METHODS: We collected data for the present analysis during face-to-face interviews with a representative sample of 556 mothers ranging in age from 65 to 78 residing in the greater Boston area. RESULT: We found substantial within-family variation in mother-to-child support. Multivariate analyses revealed a set of factors that explained within-family differences: Mothers were more likely to provide support to children who were daughters, unmarried, lived nearby, had health problems, and had provided the mothers with support. DISCUSSION: These findings indicate that within-family differences in support to children continue across the life course. Such variations within the family underscore the importance of using designs that provide information on relationships between parents and each of their children, rather than focusing on single parent-child dyads.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

Making choices: a within-family study of caregiver selection.

PURPOSE: This article reports on a within-family study to identify factors that lead mothers to expect that a particular child will serve in the role of primary caregiver. DESIGN AND METHODS: Data for this study were collected by in-person interviews with a representative sample of 566 mothers between the ages of 65 and 75 years residing in the greater Boston area, who provided detailed information regarding all of their adult children. Both multivariate and qualitative data analyses were conducted. RESULTS: Emotional closeness and similarity of gender and attitudes were strongly associated with which children mothers identified as probable caregivers. Findings regarding exchange were mixed. Mothers were more likely to name adult children who had provided them with support; however, mothers' past provision of assistance to children was unrelated to expectations regarding care. No aspects of children's availability besides proximity and employment of adult children affected mothers' expectations. In selecting a primary caregiver, mothers emphasized expressive characteristics of intergenerational relationships, rather than instrumental and contextual factors associated with children's availability. IMPLICATIONS: The findings indicated a discrepancy between maternal preference for care and actual patterns of support from adult children. Practitioners who work with older adults and their families should incorporate parents' views of the "likely" caregiver into family counseling protocols. Family counseling in both the precaregiving and actual care provision stages may be useful to clarify expected roles for children.

Adult Children↗
PubMed2006

The CITRA research-practice consensus-workshop model: exploring a new method of research translation in aging.

PURPOSE: On the basis of the experience of an extensive community-based research partnership in New York City, we developed an innovative process for bridging the gap between aging-related research and practice, using a consensus-workshop model. DESIGN AND METHODS: We adapted the traditional scientific consensus-workshop model to include translation of the research into nontechnical language and the involvement of practitioners in the process. We then applied the model to the specific issue of falls prevention among community-dwelling older adults. RESULTS: The dialogue and interaction among researchers and practitioners provided new insights beyond a traditional research review. Practitioners offered astute guidance for future research based on their day-to-day field experience. IMPLICATIONS: The recommendations that emerged from the workshop demonstrated the value of close interaction between the aging-related research and practice communities. The consensus-conference model has significant potential to establish a bridge between the worlds of research and practice in a variety of settings.

Accidental Falls↗
PubMed2003

Integrating theory, basic research, and intervention: two case studies from caregiving research.

PURPOSE: The premise of this article is that interventions should be based explicitly on theory and basic research findings. Although there appears to be general agreement with that assertion, the connections among theory, research, and intervention in the field of gerontology are often tenuous or nonexistent. In this article, we argue for better integration of these three domains, providing two case studies from the Cornell Roybal Center that illustrate the positive role theory and research can play in intervention designs and broader applicability of findings. DESIGN AND METHODS: Study 1 involved a social support intervention for persons making the transition to becoming a family caregiver. Study 2 was an organizational intervention designed to improve interpersonal relationships and increase mutual support between family caregivers and staff in nursing homes. RESULTS: Several benefits emerged as a result of creating theoretically grounded and research-based interventions, including guidance for innovative intervention design and the production of findings that inform both basic research and intervention. IMPLICATIONS: A much closer link between theory and basic research and intervention studies is indicated, suggesting that current federal support of translational research initiatives is justified and worthy of expansion.

Aged↗
PubMed2003

A cooperative communication intervention for nursing home staff and family members of residents.

PURPOSE: This article reports on a randomized, controlled study of Partners in Caregiving, an intervention designed to increase cooperation and effective communication between family members and nursing home staff. DESIGN AND METHODS: Participants included 932 relatives and 655 staff members recruited from 20 nursing homes, randomly assigned to treatment and control conditions. Parallel training sessions on communication and conflict resolution techniques were conducted with the family and staff in the treatment group, followed by a joint meeting with facility administrators. RESULTS: Positive outcomes were found for both family and staff members in the treatment group. Both groups showed improved attitudes toward each other, families of residents with dementia reported less conflict with staff, and staff reported a lower likelihood of quitting. IMPLICATIONS: Multiple studies report significant interpersonal stress between family members of nursing home residents and facility staff members. Partners in Caregiving appears to be an effective way to improve family-staff relationships in nursing homes.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Elder abuse.

Elder abuse has received increasing attention over the past decade as a common problem with serious consequences for the health and wellbeing of old people. Our aim is to assist clinicians by summarising recent international research and clinical findings about elder abuse, and to assess their quality, relevance, and feasibility for health-care providers in clinical practice. This seminar includes issues of definition and frequency of elder abuse and a summary of major known risk factors. The advantages and disadvantages of screening for elder abuse are discussed. We review clinical manifestations and diagnosis of elder abuse, and propose a protocol for medical assessment of a patient with confirmed or suspected abuse. Suggestions for treatment are offered on the basis that elder abuse is multifactorial and needs individual medical and social intervention strategies, preferably in the context of a multidisciplinary team.

Aged↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Predictors of successful relationships in a peer support program for Alzheimer's caregivers.

This study explores the role of similarity in the success of peer support relationships in an intervention program for dementia caregivers. Hypothesized predictors of successful matches included structural similarity between partners (e.g., in age, education), appraisal similarity (e.g., in satisfaction with support for caregiving), and psychological similarity (e.g., in psychological well-being). Contrary to expectations, no relationship between these types of similarity and the success of the match were found, but effects were found for dissimilar pairs on several characteristics. The findings suggest: 1) that what really makes a difference for successful peer support is sharing the stressful but also rewarding experience of caregiving; and 2) that program planners do not need to develop extensive matching criteria.

Adult↗