TitleCertified Nursing Assistants Balancing Family Caregiving Roles: Health Care Utilization Among Double- and Triple-Duty Caregivers.
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2016
AuthorsDePasquale, N, Bangerter, LR, Williams, J, Almeida, DM
JournalGerontologist
Volume56
Issue6
Pagination1114-1123
Date Published2016 Dec
ISSN1758-5341
KeywordsAdult, Ambulatory Care, Ambulatory Care Facilities, Caregivers, Child, Child Care, Counseling, Emergency Service, Hospital, Female, Health Services, Health Services for the Aged, Health Services Needs and Demand, Humans, Male, Middle Aged, Nursing Assistants, Patient Care, Young Adult
Abstract

<p><b>PURPOSE OF THE STUDY: </b>This study examines how certified nursing assistants (CNAs) balancing family caregiving roles-child care (double-duty child caregivers), elder care (double-duty elder caregivers), and both child and elder care (triple-duty caregivers)-utilize health care services relative to nonfamily caregiving counterparts (formal-only caregivers).</p><p><b>DESIGN AND METHODS: </b>A sample of 884 CNAs from the Work, Family and Health Study was drawn on to assess the number of acute care (i.e., emergency room or urgent care facility) and other health care (i.e., outpatient treatment or counseling) visits made during the past 6 months.</p><p><b>RESULTS: </b>Double-duty elder and triple-duty caregivers had higher acute care utilization rates than formal-only caregivers. CNAs with and without family caregiving roles had similar rates of other health care visits.</p><p><b>IMPLICATIONS: </b>CNAs providing informal care for older adults have higher acute care visit rates. Given the increasing need for family caregivers and the vital importance of the health of the nursing workforce for the health of others, future research on how double- and triple-duty caregivers maintain their health amidst constant caregiving should be a priority.</p>

DOI10.1093/geront/gnv081
Alternate JournalGerontologist
PubMed ID26224763
PubMed Central IDPMC5181389
Grant ListU01 HD051217 / HD / NICHD NIH HHS / United States
U01 HD051276 / HD / NICHD NIH HHS / United States
U01 HD051256 / HD / NICHD NIH HHS / United States
R03 AG046393 / AG / NIA NIH HHS / United States
U01 HD059773 / HD / NICHD NIH HHS / United States
UL1 TR001425 / TR / NCATS NIH HHS / United States
U01 OH008788 / OH / NIOSH CDC HHS / United States
UL1 TR000077 / TR / NCATS NIH HHS / United States