Recreation Programs for Caregivers of Older Adults: A Review and Analysis of Literature from 1990 to 1998

Abstract: Due to social, economic, and medical factors, more adults are choosing to care for ill or disabled relatives at home. Although leisure and recreation have particular benefits for informal family caregivers of older adults, caregivers often have limited social and leisure lives. The purpose of this paper is to use an integrative review technique Article: Many factors are enhancing the longevity of older adults in the United States; however, living longer often brings with it illnesses or diseases related to aging. As a result, more adults are finding themselves caring for ill or disabled family members in their homes without pay. Additionally, these informal family caregivers Leisure has been found to provide unique benefits to people of all ages and situations. For example, leisure can serve as a buffer to stress Much of the caregiver literature of the 1980s cited a desire for leisure identified by caregivers (e.g., Bedini & Bilbro, 1991) but rarely identified research that explored these needs and perceptions. Caregivers seemed to want recreation and leisure in their lives, but because of a variety of barriers and stigmas due to caregiving, they had reduced or forsaken it altogether METHODS An integrative review technique (Jackson, 1980) was implemented to conduct this analysis. According to SUMMARY OF FINDINGS A total of 22 journal articles were reviewed to determine the status and successfulness of programs that provided training, opportunity, or time for the leisure and recreation of caregivers of older adults. Five groups or categories were identified by this procedure. Category topics included interventions (n = 2), respite (n = 5), support groups (n = 4), education/training (n = 4), and a combination of support group and education-training group (n = 7). Purpose Fourteen of the 22 articles scientifically evaluated the effectiveness of a leisure, recreation, or social support program for caregivers of older adults. Only one article actually tested the effect of a leisure/recreation program specifically. Overall topics within the articles included subjective burden (n = 7), support networks (n = 5), social support (n = 4), knowledge and use of community services (n = 4), time use (n = 2), activity restriction (n = 2), life satisfaction (n = 1), life upset (n = 1), and self-care (n = 1). Seven articles proposed the benefits or effectiveness of selected programs based on literature and conceptual logic, however, were not empirically tested. These topics included balance of caring responsibilities for self and care-recipient (n = 5); leisure information, skills, and resources (n = 4); identifying and using community resources (n = 3); social support (n = 2); social network (n = 2); relief of caregiver burden (n = 1); decreasing leisure constraints (n = 1); and leisure involvement (n = 1). The remaining article described an assessment tool that dealt with perceived social support and had direct implications for the leisure of caregivers of older adults

If I could just be selfish...: Caregivers‘ perceptions of their entitlement to leisure.

Abstract: Entitlement to leisure suggests that leisure is a right rather than a privilege. Unfortunately, many feminist researchers agree that women in general do not feel entitled to leisure. This concept is of particular concern for the growing population of informal caregivers, or individuals who care for family members in their home without pay. Caregivers, typically women, often abandon social interaction, hobbies, church, and fitness-related activities because of caregiving responsibilities. The purpose of this study was to examine the sense of entitlement to leisure of women who are informal caregivers of older adult family members. In-depth interviews were conducted with 16 women who served as caregivers for older family members. Four typologies emerged from the data to represent how the women attempted to access their leisure: rationalizers, resenters, consolidators, and rechargers. In addition, results indicated that their "ethic of care" had an impact on their choices and perceptions of their right to leisure

Addressing leisure barriers for caregivers of older adults: A model leisure wellness program

Approximately 18 million Americans care for ill or disabled family members. Until recently, these caregivers have been ignored as a group who might also need attention for their own health care. In addition to potential physical and psychological health consequences due to caregiver burden, caregivers often abandon or severely alter social/leisure aspects of their lives. The purpose of this research was to design a leisure wellness program that could address unique leisure needs for caregivers of older adults based on theoretical frameworks of stress and leisure. Focus group research from four regions of North Carolina was conducted to solicit expert opinions from professionals who work with or near caregivers of older adults. A total of 122 ideas were sorted into eight categories. Subsequently, a four unit, multidisciplinary model leisure wellness program was designed based on the focus group results. Recommendations for testing and future research are noted

"If I Could Just Be Selfish … ": Caregivers' Perceptions of Their Entitlement to Leisure

Entitlement to leisure suggests that leisure is a right rather than a privilege. Unfortunately, many feminist researchers agree that women in general do not feel entitled to leisure. This concept is of particular concern for the growing population of informal caregivers, or individuals who care for family members in their home without pay. Caregivers, typically women, often abandon social interaction, hobbies, church, and fitness-related activities because of caregiving responsibilities. The purpose of this study was to examine the sense of entitlement to leisure of women who are informal caregivers of older adult family members. In-depth interviews were conducted with 16 women who served as caregivers for older family members. Four typologies emerged from the data to represent how the women attempted to access their leisure: rationalizers, resenters, consolidators, and rechargers. In addition, results indicated that their "ethic of care" had an impact on their choices and perceptions of their right to leisure

The Leisure of Caregivers of Older ,Adults: Implications for CTRS's in j Non-traditional Settings

Little research exists that explores perceptions and experiences of caregivers of older adults with specific regard to their leisure. The purpose of this study was to examine the perceptions of leisure and leisure experiences of women who were informal caregivers of older adults. Sixteen respondents, identified through theoretical sampling, participated in tape recorded in-depth interviews. Analysis consisted of constant comparison and analytic induction. Three concepts emerged from this data: leisure experiences of caregivers, changes in leisure since caregiving, and barriers (both internal and external) to leisure as a result of caregiving. Implications and specific strategies generated from the data regarding providing leisure services for caregivers are discussed

Perceptions of Leisure by Family Caregivers: A Profile

Despite the increase in research about the leisure of family caregivers, few studies provide a "profile" of family caregivers' characteristics and how they relate to various perceptions of their leisure. The purpose of this study was to identify such a profile and examine the relationships between selected caregiver characteristics and their perceptions of leisure. A usable sample of 492 questionnaires provided profile information on 16 demographic and six leisure characteristics of female family caregivers. Results showed that the caregivers valued but missed lost leisure. Chi-square analyses included indications that respondents who valued leisure were more likely to see leisure as activity that is fun, identify as Rechargers, and were less likely to perceive caregiving as financial hardship. Implications for practice and research are presented

Campers with disabilities: Encouraging positive interactions

For many campers and their families, camp is a safe environment in which children can learn about themselves and experience the world around them. It is also a place where they are exposed to the differences in our society and learn how to respond to these differences. For campers with disabilities, a camp has the potential to provide a place where one is accepted and allowed to be as "normal" as possible. Unfortunately, camp staff and campers are still learning how to interact with people with disabilities. Despite the Americans with Disabilities Act, a civil rights act that enforces equal opportunities for individuals previously denied access and accommodations in mainstream society, misconceptions continue to hinder the true integration of people with disabilities. For most people with disabilities, these misconceptions are as much of a barrier to participation in leisure activities as a staircase is for a person in a wheel-chair. Behaviors such as taunting, staring, laughing, withdrawal, and fearful reactions are common among children who have had no previous exposure to people who are different

Feminism and the Client-Therapist Relationship: Implications for Therapeutic Recreation

Feminism has provided a philosophical and methodological context for examining a number of aspects of society. As feminism is applied to leisure research and practice, implications for the provision of therapeutic recreation services and programs that include people with disabilities also may be considered. The purposes of this paper are to describe the client-therapist relationship within therapeutic recreation conducted from feminist perspectives and to offer some alternatives for addressing issues ofgender when working with female clients. The suggestions offered are meant to be a starting point for further discussion concerning the value of feminist ideas and the implications of feminism for the practice of therapeutic recreation

Recreation Programs for Caregivers of Older Adults: A Review and Analysis of Literature from 1990 to 1998

Due to social, economic, and medical factors, more adults are choosing to care for ill or disabled relatives at home. Although leisure and recreation have particular benefits for informal family caregivers of older adults, caregivers often have limited social and leisure lives. The purpose of this paper is to use an integrative review technique (Jackson, 1980) to identify common factors in recreation and leisure and related programs for caregivers of older adults. A total of 22 journal articles were reviewed yielding five categories of programs. All programs were reviewed separately and recommendations for practice and future research are presented

Transition and Integration in Leisure for People with Disabilities

With new technological advances and disability legislation, people with disabilities are more interested in participating in community recreation programs than ever before. Many individuals, however, are unable to participate because of inadequate skills and lack of support. Community recreation staff can be instrumental in the successful transition and integration of people with disabilities from hospitals or school programs to their communities. For people with disabilities, graduating from special education classes or being discharged from the hospital begins a difficult process of adjustment. Community support is important for successful integration