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Symposium

Behavioral and Social Sciences

Extending the Family Tree: New Faces of Dementia Caregivers

Friday, November 15, 2024
10:00 AM – 11:30 AM PST
Location: Room 3B
CE: 1.5

Research has predominantly focused on spouses and adult children as primary caregivers for individuals living with dementia. However, evolving family dynamics necessitate a critical examination of caregivers beyond this immediate circle. This symposium explores the understudied area of informal dementia caregiving, which includes care provided by extended family members, stepchildren, and chosen kin. This emergent focus is crucial in redefining the family caregiver archetype amid changing family structures. McConnell & Haggar employ social network analysis to underscore variations in family/non-kin participation in care networks, influenced by factors such as disease severity and caregiver availability. Roberto & Savla provide an in-depth exploration of historical and current family dynamics that shape niece and nephew caregivers’ responsibilities, practices, and outcomes. Savla & Roberto address the individual and family challenges faced by older adult sibling caregivers, as well as identify factors that facilitate and impede their caregiving capacities. Silverstein et al. leverage longitudinal data to explore the impact of kinship strength and early relationship histories on stepchildren’s support for stepparents living with dementia. Flatt et al. synthesize insights from their multiple studies on the health outcomes of sexual and gender minority dementia caregivers within biological and chosen familial networks. Collectively, these studies underscore the complexity and diversity of caregiver roles within families, emphasizing the need for supportive programs and policies tailored to their unique circumstances. Findings serve as a call for action to recognize and support the wide range of dementia caregivers in today’s society who demonstrate remarkable resilience in navigating dementia care challenges.

Learning Objectives:

  • articulate how changing family dynamics, including extended family, stepchildren, and chosen kin, are redefining the traditional family caregiver archetype in the context of dementia care.
  • describe the unique care practices, challenges, and health outcomes of extended family members, stepchildren, and sexual and gender minority caregivers of persons living with dementia.

Presentations:

  • 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM PST
    Family Structure and Dementia Caregiver Network Composition

    Individual Symposium Abstract First Author: William R. McConnell, PhD (he/him/his) – Florida Atlantic University

  • 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM PST
    Niece and Nephew Dementia Caregivers: Family Relationships and Care Dynamics

    Individual Symposium Abstract First Author: Karen A. Roberto, PhD, FGSA – Virginia Tech

  • 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM PST
    Sibling-to-Sibling Dementia Care: Understanding Motivations, Challenges, and Experiences

    Individual Symposium Abstract First Author: Jyoti Savla, PhD, FGSA – Virginia Tech

  • 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM PST
    Do Stepchildren Provide Dementia Care to Aging Biological Parents Commensurate With their Level of Need?

    Individual Symposium Abstract First Author: Merril Silverstein, PhD – Syracuse University

  • 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM PST
    Traditional and Nontraditional Family Dementia Caregiving Among Sexual and Gender Minorities

    Individual Symposium Abstract First Author: Jason Flatt, PhD, MPH (they/them/theirs) – University of Nevada Las Vegas