Evans-Caregiver Paper

The Caregiver’s Quandary: Implications for Counselors

Janet L. Evans

A Capstone Project submitted in partial fulfillment of the

requirements for the Master of Science Degree in

Counselor Education at

Winona State University

Spring, 2007

Contents

Contents………………………………………………………………………...i

Abstract………………………………………………………………………. iii

Introduction..…………………………………………………………….……. 1

Purpose…………………………………………………………………1

Caregiving Trends and the Aging Population …………………………2

Review of Relevant Literature…………………………………………………...3

What is Caregiving?……………………………………………………3

Who are the Caregivers?……………………………………….4

How One Becomes a Caregiver.………………………….……5

Impact of Caregiving.…………………………………………….…….6

Caregiver Burden.………………………………………….…...7

Developmental Issues.……………………………………….…8

Benefits of Caregiving.…………………………………………9

Counseling Interventions.……….……………………………………..10

Variables.………………………………………………………10

Descriptive and Intervention Research.…………………….…10

Group Interventions...………………………………………….12

Individual and Family Interventions…………………………...13

Combined Interventions………………………………………..14

Technological Strategies……………………………………….15

Effectiveness of Interventions….………………………………………15

Cultural Considerations….…….……………………………………….16

Implications for Counselors.…………………………………………...17

Discussion/Synthesis.…………………………………………………………..18

Reference.…….………………………………………………………….……...21

Appendix A – Resources: Websites, Agencies and Organizations……………..26

Appendix B – Programs.………………………………………...……….……..28

Appendix C – Educational Curricula..…………………………………….........30

ABSTRACT

This paper is about the plight of the family caregiver. The author will discuss the role of caregiving in the family system and the emotional, psychological, and physical toll that the caregiver burden can present. Additionally, implications for counselors and interventions to assist family caregivers will be explored.

Introduction...