HEALTH FILE

ARE YOU AN UNPAID FEMALE DESI CAREGIVER IN A MULTIGENERATIONAL FAMILY?

A new study strives to explore the needs of unpaid South Asian women caregivers of an older adult (65-plus) living in multigenerational homes. Image credit: JOSH APPEL on Unsplash.

Canadian researchers are studying various factors that impact caregivers.

One such study is Understanding how to promote post-pandemic recovery in South Asian women caregivers of older adults living in multigenerational households: A mixed methods approach to identifying needs and gaps in social and health services..

Dr Pamela Baxter, Dr Monica Parry, Dr Marie Savundranayagam, Dr Anthea Innes and Dr Georgina Willetts are conducting the study at McMaster University. Working in collaboration with South Asian community members, the international, interdisciplinary team will use an innovative approach to identify and respond to the needs of unpaid South Asian women caregivers of an older adult (65-plus) living with a chronic condition (e.g., diabetes, dementia) and living in multigenerational homes in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA).

The purpose, rationale and goal of the study is to promote post-pandemic recovery and prepare for future public health emergencies by understanding and responding to the high-priority caregiving needs of unpaid South Asian caregivers, thereby promoting caregiver well-being and retaining this highly valuable group.

Inclusion criteria:

• Co-residing in a multigenerational family (two or more generations) and caring for an older adult (65-plus years) who requires assistance with at least two activities of daily living (e.g., bathing, toileting, dressing) and one or more instrumental activities of daily living (e.g., banking, grocery shopping).

• English speaking.

• At least 15 years of age (the youngest caregiver age used by Statistics Canada).

Exclusion criteria:

• Currently receiving formal/paid caregiving supports (e.g., nursing services, personal support workers).

• No access to phone or internet.

In stage 1, approximately 15-20 key informant (community leader) semi-structured telephone or Zoom interviews (approximately 60-90 minutes each) will be conducted with those providing social and/or healthcare services to the South Asian community in the GTA.

The goal will be to identify South Asian women caregivers’ social and healthcare needs during and following the pandemic and to understand how best to meet these needs in the future.

In stage 2, an estimated 60 interviews, telephone or Zoom lasting (approximately 60-90 minutes each) will be conducted with South Asian women caregivers of older adults with a chronic condition. The purpose of the interviews will be to engage South Asian women about their caregiving experiences and needs during and post pandemic and what they need to recover and prepare for future public health emergencies as a caregiver.

Researchers will also ask participants what recommendations they would make for communicating findings to the South Asian community.

Caregiver survey (stage 3): Researchers will develop and distribute a cross-sectional online survey to South Asian women caregivers across the GTA. 

In stage 4 – face-to-face consensus meeting – 15-20 community partners will be invited to join the investigative team and the advisory committee at a one-day consensus meeting facilitated by the research team.

A video-conference option using Zoom will be made available for participants unable to attend in person due to physical health, distance and/or time restrictions.

This meeting will involve:

• An overview of the findings from the qualitative and quantitative stages.

• Small group discussions related to findings, sharing of ideas/thoughts/perspectives.

• Large group discussion to clarify thoughts/ideas shared in small groups.

• Voting and ranking research priorities based on identified SA women caregiver needs.

• Large group discussion regarding moving forward.

Following stage 5 meeting to co co-create intervention, researchers will engage the advisory committee in three, three-hour virtual meetings (over a two-month period) to develop at least one high impact intervention study, identify measures of effectiveness and impact, and establish an implementation and evaluation prototype.

To participate and for information, contact Natalie Meisenburg at meisenno@mcmaster.ca.