STRENGTHENING THE INFORMAL SUPPORT SYSTEM OF THE HISPANIC ELDERLY: GROUP PROGRAM FOR CAREGIVERS AND POTENTIAL CAREGIVERS.
Item
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Title
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STRENGTHENING THE INFORMAL SUPPORT SYSTEM OF THE HISPANIC ELDERLY: GROUP PROGRAM FOR CAREGIVERS AND POTENTIAL CAREGIVERS.
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Identifier
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AAI8423099
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identifier
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8423099
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Creator
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SANCHEZ, CARMEN DELIA.
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Contributor
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Michael Smith
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Date
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1984
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Language
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English
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Publisher
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City University of New York.
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Subject
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Social Work
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Abstract
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The Strengthening the Informal Support System of the Hispanic Elderly, a project designed to supply the Hispanic adult caregiver, i.e., relatives, friends and neighbors, with information and social support through a group approach offered experiential learning and facilitated the formation of an informal support network in which the participants explored their personal feelings towards their caregiving role, shared problems and concerns and engaged in mutual problem-solving activities.;The primacy of the informal support system for the Hispanic elderly, the self-help group approach and the relationship between formal and informal systems, particularly the concept of maximizing the sharing functions between the two, were the cornerstones of the project.;The program was developed and implemented in four different settings: a home attendant program, a senior health program, a senior citizen center and a community church, located in areas of Hispanic concentration in New York City.;Fifty-eight persons participated in the project: children, spouses, grandchildren, siblings, in-laws, friends and neighbors of the elderly (58%) and elderly people (42%). All participants were Hispanics, the majority born in Puerto Rico (64%). Some participants were principal caregivers of an elderly person (58%) while others were either anticipating a caregiving role or elderly people who out of self-interest wanted to learn about the aging process. Over 50 percent of the participants were 51 years old with a concentration in the ages of 61 to 70. Close to three-fourths were females. Both educational and income levels of the participants was low.;The program was effective in meeting the needs of the participants in two basic areas: educational and emotional support. The educational component was met through education on the aging process, common and chronic illnesses in old age, sensory losses and communication problems, community resources, benefits, entitlements and skills in mediating with the formal system. The mutual aid and peer-support aspects were met through the sharing of problems, experiences and solutions, socialization and support from other group members.;Findings of the project indicate the existence and importance of an informal support system among the Hispanic elderly, composed of relatives, friends and neighbors. Recognition should be given to the inherent strengths that exist in this informal support system. Human service providers should not undermine a system of service delivery that has always existed and at the same time should not use its existence as a pretext not to provide services. The natural support system should be the focus of study and further research.
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Type
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dissertation
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Source
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PQT Legacy CUNY.xlsx
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degree
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D.S.W.
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Program
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Social Welfare
