AN EXPLORATORY STUDY OF THE COPING BEHAVIOURS OF FAMILIES WITH DEPENDENT EDERLY [I.E. ELDERLY]

Abstract

There is a growing concern for care of dependent elderly in Singapore. The concern is even stronger when there is an increasing number of elderly in the society. One major issue that will surface distinctively is that of family care for elderly with disabling and chronic disorders. This study aims to examine the issue of families rendering care to the elderly with stroke. It seeks to reveal the many dimensions of caregiving with a particular focus on the burden and coping strategies of caregiving families. The interplay of the factors burdening and mediating the caregiving process is the central theme of the study. The awareness and understanding of the caregiving families of dependent elderly will be helpful in aiding these families. Services in the community could be modified and expanded to support these families in their process of rendering care to their elderly.