A GIS APPROACH TO IDENTIFYING SERVICE ACCESS DISPARITIES IN RURAL APPALACHIA

Formal service use can help decrease caregiving burden for family members of persons with dementia; however, barriers related to service use are common. For example, driving distance can be problematic in rural areas with mountainous terrain, as in the Appalachian region of Virginia. The purpose of this study was to examine distance from family homes to services and its association with service use. Thirty-nine caregivers’ residences and 84 service locations were mapped, then driving distance to and distribution of services were analyzed using Service Area Solver and Closest Facility Solver in ArcGIS. Results suggest that services were unevenly distributed based on caregiver location. Specifically, of all services examined, food banks and medical facilities had the most facilities near caregiver locations, whereas adult day services, support groups, and educational programs for caregivers were sparse. Findings are discussed in light of identifying vulnerable caregivers as well as hot-spots for potential interventions.

Older women, their children, and grandchildren: a feminist perspective on family relationships

Using gerontological and feminist frameworks, we explored the relationships older women have with their children and grandchildren. In-depth, qualitative interviews were conducted with 34 women, ranging in age from 55 to 88. From our analyses of the women's perceptions of their family relationships, two themes were prevalent: the centrality of children and the peripherality of grandchildren in their everyday lives. The women had varying degrees of involvement with their children and grandchildren, and these relationships contributed to their sense of self and family. Their relationships were not stagnant, but were continually reshaped as both the women and their family members proceeded through the life course.

Social provisions in adulthood: concept and measurement in close relationships

Social gerontologists are increasingly concerned about examining the nature of close relationships among the elderly. Theoretically grounded and empirically validated instruments are needed to advance research in this area. We analyzed the psychometric properties of the Social Provisions Scale using data from a probability sample of 494 community residents aged 65 or older. The theoretical foundation of this scale is Weiss's delineation of social support functions of close relationships. Confirmatory factor analysis revealed a pattern in the data that corresponds to the theoretical definition of relational provisions: Factor 1 was Intimacy; Factor 2 was Social Integration; Factor 3 was Reassurance of Worth; and Factor 4 was Opportunity for Nurturance. Alphas for the four scales ranged from .83 to .94. Convergent validity was supported by significant correlations between the Social Provisions Scale (SPS) and respondent's morale, frequency of contact with friends, feelings of closeness with an adult child, relationship control, and relationship conflict. Discriminant validity was supported by nonsignificant correlations between the SPS and the Eysenck Lie Scale.

Filial responsibility expectations among adult child-older parent pairs

We investigated filial responsibility consensus in a random sample of 144 elderly parent-adult child pairs. Most respondents interpreted the filial role as including a great deal of emotional support and discussion of important matters and available resources. Both generations perceived living close by and writing letters to parents on a weekly basis as less important. Parents, compared to their offspring, were more likely to disapprove of receiving financial assistance from children, living with children, and having children adjust their work schedules to help them. Robinson's A revealed that there was a moderate level of intergenerational agreement on filial responsibility expectations.