ABSTRACT
Informal caregivers and formal service providers work together to care for older adults. Contributions of caregivers vary by gender of caregiver, socioeconomic status of the caregiving unit, community size, and racial/ethnic group membership. Informal caregiving for elders is the main caregiving type among all racial/ethnic groups. However, older Blacks rely more heavily on informal care than Whites. Adult Hispanic children serve as the main providers of assistance for Hispanic elders. In Asian American and Native American groups, values supporting care of elders are strong and rates of co-residence tend to be high. Formal care includes not only nursing home care but also alternatives such as assisted living facilities, adult day care, and home health care. Culture change initiatives are underway to improve the quality of care nursing homes provide. We include examples of technology that prolong independence of elders, keep caregivers informed, and provide opportunities for early detection and intervention.
