This administrative supplement extends a qualitative study of same-sex and heterosexual older adults who care for their spouses/partners with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias. The original research seeks to pinpoint how caregivers draw upon existing gender repertoires ? sets of skills and resources learned over the life course that affirm gender identities formed in relation to the gender division of labor?in performing their care work. The resulting caregiving approaches influence the particular areas of care work that these caregivers find problematic, the ways they might respond to these challenges, and the extent to which such strategies help caregivers effectively perform their work. This study asks how sexual orientation shapes gender repertories, given that the division of labor among gay and lesbian couples must be negotiated, and examines how this shapes caregiving approaches and experiences. The emergence of COVID-19 and such containment measures as social distancing have created a situation with which all AD caregivers must contend, regardless of gender or sexual orientation; however, the ways in which they do so likely exhibit some differences. This administrative supplement builds upon the parent study and seeks to explore the impact of COVID-19 and social distancing across time and caregiving groups. The proposed supplemental study will involve re-interviewing previous respondents from the parent study to identify similarities and differences in terms of what caregivers find challenging, and the strategies they use to deal with these difficulties. Understanding the ways that COVID-19 and social distancing shape these caregiving experiences will provide much needed information on caregiving performed by LG and heterosexual spouses/partners while also revealing how gender and sexual orientation shape what caregivers perceive to be challenging, the strategies they use to cope with these, and the resources they have available to them. Knowledge gained from the study will have implications for both policy-makers and practitioners who seek to develop effective interventions to support caregivers and prevent negative physical and mental health outcomes.
Informal caregiving is vital to maintaining the quality of life of individuals affected by Alzheimer's disease; at the same time, it is especially challenging. COVID-19 and its related containment strategies, especially social distancing, can make this work all the more difficult. Findings from this qualitative study on older heterosexual and gay and lesbian caregiver partners will inform interventions to reduce caregiver stress and burden, during the pandemic and later, which should provide some protection from the ill health that might otherwise result.
