Factors of Caregiver Isolation in a Rural Midwest Area

ABSTRACT

The authors, working with a Veterans Affairs Home Based Primary Care Team in rural areas of Illinois and Indiana, noted the relative social isolation of many family caregivers of patients. They explored several factors that could contribute to this isolation: values held by the caregiver, transportation restraints, limited caregiver resources and caregiver health. Caregiver values, such as obligation and responsibility, stood out, contributing to generally excellent care for the elderly veteran patients, but also to the observed isolation. A solution would be increased funding for in-home respite, to help the family caregivers get needed rest and outings, thus responding to an expressed need, and enhancing their ability to provide “low-tech” in-home care to their loved ones.

KEYWORDS:

• Family caregivers
• values
• responsibility
• isolation
• obligation
• respite