Layout 1

Chapter 8

Family Relationships in the Later Years

Inthelateryears,couplesrealigntheir
relationshipswithextendedfamily
members,includingtheirchildren’sspouses
andtheirgrandchildren.Thisisthetime
whenmultigenerationalfamiliesmay
includethreeandsometimesfour
generations.
One of the myths pervading the area of
family relationships is thatAmerican
families do not care for their older family
members.The facts do not support this
myth.In 1999,only 1% of adults 65 to 74
years of age resided in nursing homes.For
people from 75 to 84 years of age,the
number increased to 4%.For those over
85 years of age,it rose to 18% (Federal
Interagency Forum onAging-Related
Statistics,2004).The truth isAmerican
families are committed to their older
members and provide a variety of
assistance,from hands-on care to
monetary support.Currently,
approximately 1 out of every 4 households
(23% or 22.4 million households)
provides care for persons 50 years of age
or older.This is estimated to soon reach
39 million households (Selected Caregiver
Statistics,2001).
The majority of the primary caretakers
are middle-aged women who often work
part-time or full-time,in addition to
providing care for a family member.
However,an increasing number of men
are also functioning in this role.Problems

occur when an elderly person has no

spouse or children able to provide care,

making the only option nursing home

care.Another concern is the growing

number of the“old-old”—those who are

85 years of age and older—whose children

may themselves be old and,therefore,

unable to provide the same level of care as

younger relatives.

Inadditiontocaringfortheelderly,a

largeandgrowingnumberofolderfamily

membersarecaringforchronicallymentally

illandmentallyretardedyoungeradults

(Goldman,Rye,&Sirovatka,1999).Toolittle

isknownabouthowtohelpafflictedyounger

individualsandtheircare-givingparents.

Familiesareeagertohelpthemselves,andit

isimportantforsocietytofindwaysto

enablefamiliestodoso.

Grandparentsareincreasinglyinvolvedin

thelivesoftheirgrandchildren.Sincepeople

arelivinglonger,thisleavesmoreyearsfor

Approximately 1 out of every 4 households provides

care for someone 50 or older.

ImagefromBigstockPhoto.com/lisafx