Abstract
Purpose: The purpose of this study was to explore and to increase understanding of thefactors that contribute to the decreased social connectedness of informal caregivers of
older adults by gaining insight into detailed informal caregiving challenges that affect
family caregivers’ social interactions, social networks, and social support.
Theoretical Framework: This research was based on the concept of family or informalcaregiving, policy drift, and social connectedness. The study also used punctuated
equilibrium theory to understand the status of existing family caregiving related public
policies and programs.
Methodology: Using an exploratory approach, subjects in this study responded tosemistructured interview prompts discussing family caregiving challenges, factors that
help or hinder the social connectedness of informal caregivers, and knowledge of
supportive public policies and programs.
Findings: A systematic analysis of qualitative data revealed that family caregivers ofolder adults faced multilayered caregiving challenges. They encounter challenges from
their unique individual characteristics, such as on-demand or continuous caregiving
duties as well as difficulty in balancing caregiving responsibilities and additional regular
employment duties. Most family caregivers have limited or even no time for self-care. As
a result, family caregivers’ paradox of time availability and financial resources is the root
reason that contributes to their decreased social connectedness. Family caregivers receive
social support at an individual level, but they lack adequate support from public policies
and programs.
Conclusions and Recommendations: The study concluded that respite care and directfinancial incentives or paid leave are two types of public policies that family caregivers
demand. Vulnerable populations, such as undocumented immigrants, might have
compounded challenges in delivering family caregiving. For future research, this study
recommended including these less visible caregiving groups as a part of the research
subject(s) to identify the impacts of their unique characteristics on caregiving challenges,
social connectedness, and social support systems.