Grandfamilies Health Watchers Program

Abstract

Extensive studies of fitness in senior adults ages 60–90 years by Rikli and Jones (2001) have demonstrated that functional fitness (the ability to perform normal, everyday activities safely and independently without undue fatigue) is essential to maintaining an independent lifestyle. In the case of custodial grandparents, functional fitness enables them not only to be more independent but also to be more effective caregivers. Project Grandfamilies Health Watchers, a program funded in part by a grant from the Johnson & Johnson/Rosalynn Carter Institute Caregivers Program, was based on the premise that formal support in the form of psychoeducational groups, goal setting, and in-home monitoring would be effective in improving the physical functionality and cardiovascular health as well as the nutrition and mental health of custodial grandparents. Eighteen caregiver grandparents and 21 grandchildren residing in Forrest and Jones counties in southern Mississippi completed the year-long program. The program proved to be successful in improving the physical and emotional health of custodial grandparents.

Keywords:

• grandparents
• kinship care
• health
• formal support

Funded in part by a grant from the Johnson & Johnson/Rosalynn Carter Institute Caregivers Program.

Notes