Date of Conferral

2023

Degree

Ph.D.

School

Human Services

Advisor

Barbara Benoliel

Abstract

With an expected increase in demand for professional caregivers for the growing older adult and aging population, caregivers need balance in their lives so they can provide quality patient care. The purpose of this qualitative multiple case study was to explore what motivates paid, professional home-based caregivers of clients with dementia to maintain their work–life balance. The caregiver ambition framework was the guide for exploring home-based caregivers’ work life issues along with caregivers’ motivations for work–life enrichment. Interview data were collected from five interviews that were analyzed first manually by exploring the transcribed interviews for commonly seen words and phrases. Then, the ATLAS.ti software assisted with cross case content analysis. Ayre and McCaffery’s reflexive thematic analysis was used to create categories and themes that described patterns of shared meanings. Four categories were identified that showed: (a) home-based caregivers were overly stressed with consistently challenging working conditions, (b) they maintained resiliency and a sense of fulfillment being able to help others while obtaining personal growth, (c) significant time and energy in supporting the family of the client with dementia, and (d) areas of opportunity for providing better upfront training to caregivers that will improve caregivers’ and family members’ confidence in the care being provided. The study’s findings reflect how the social determinants of health for professional caregivers are impacted by balancing work and life. This study contributes to social change by highlighting the needs of home-based caregivers for health care policy planning and supporting aging in place along with recommendations for future research.

Download

Share

 
COinS