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===Causes for Poor Health=== ===Causes for Poor Health===
-What causes the decreasing health in this particular group of grandparents? For one, family support or lack thereof is often related to stress. With the face of daily stresses raising children again at an older age without the needed family support that they might have had when they were young parents, it can cause poorer health outcomes < Goodman et al, 2008>. +What causes the decreasing health in this particular group of grandparents? For one, family support or lack thereof is often related to stress. Grandparents who face the daily stresses raising children again an older age, are often without family support. This is different compared to the type of family support that they might have had when they were young parents. This stress often can cause poorer health outcomes < Goodman et al, 2008>.
-A second cause of poorer health in these grandparents is that many live in poor neighbourhoods, and have many financial setbacks which is related to worse health in that many of these adults cannot afford the medical expenses, are unable to gain access to health facilities due to lack of transportation or child care, and often ignore their own health in order to maintain their grandchildren’s daily activities and schedules. Custodial grandparents often report cancelling medical appointments because of child care issues or responsibilities (Minkler & Fuller-Thomson, 2008). These grandparents often will downplay their illnesses or deteriorating health and delay seeking help in order to provide care for the children <Minkler, M., Fuller-Thomson, E., 1999). Care-giving grandparents also tend to report more dissatisfaction in their health as compared to non care-giving grandparents (Minkler, M., Fuller-Thomson, E., 1999).+A second cause of poorer health in these grandparents is that many live in poor neighbourhoods, and have many financial setbacks. This is related to worse health in that many of these adults cannot afford the medical expenses, are unable to gain access to health facilities due to lack of transportation or child care, and often ignore their own health in order to maintain their grandchildren’s daily activities and schedules. Custodial grandparents often report cancelling medical appointments because of child care issues or responsibilities (Minkler & Fuller-Thomson, 2008). These grandparents often will downplay their illnesses or deteriorating health and delay seeking help in order to provide care for the children <Minkler, M., Fuller-Thomson, E., 1999). Custodial grandparents also tend to report more dissatisfaction in their health as compared to non Custodial grandparents (Minkler, M., Fuller-Thomson, E., 1999).
===Common Health Issues=== ===Common Health Issues===

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Contents

Group #6

  • 1. Bethany Muir
  • 2. Michelle Janzen
  • 3. Alicia Voogjarv

Grandparents Caring for Their Grandchildren

Changes in family structure has led to the increasing amount of grandparents taking full responsibilty for caring for their grandchildren. Many grandparents take on the surrogate role of parents because of problems with the parent generation such as drug and alcohol abuse, financial issues, incarceration and health issues <Goodman,C., Tan, P., Erandes, P., & Silverstein, M., 2008> Studies show that caregiving grandparnts are at risk for a host of problems including poverty, social isolation, depression, and personal health issues <Minkler, M., & Fuller-Thomson, E., 1999>


The following link is a great example of the growing number of grandparents caring for grandchildren and the adversities that they face.

<http://www.yorkdispatch.com/news/ci_19205453>

Emotional Well-Being

Psychological Distress

Depressive Symptoms

Grief

Anxiety

Isolation

Frustration

Improving Emotional Well-Being

Health Concerns

The health of grandparents who care for their grandchildren is becoming increasingly a concern as the number of grandparents caring full time for their grandchildren is increasing <Goodman, C, Tan, P, Ernandes, P., Silverstein, M., 2008>. Many grandparents provide care for their grandchildren and it is often a particularly important form of family support <Hank, K., & Buber, I., 2009> however the majority of health problems studied are in those grandparents who take on the full guardianship/care of the grandchild.

Causes for Poor Health

What causes the decreasing health in this particular group of grandparents? For one, family support or lack thereof is often related to stress. Grandparents who face the daily stresses raising children again an older age, are often without family support. This is different compared to the type of family support that they might have had when they were young parents. This stress often can cause poorer health outcomes < Goodman et al, 2008>. A second cause of poorer health in these grandparents is that many live in poor neighbourhoods, and have many financial setbacks. This is related to worse health in that many of these adults cannot afford the medical expenses, are unable to gain access to health facilities due to lack of transportation or child care, and often ignore their own health in order to maintain their grandchildren’s daily activities and schedules. Custodial grandparents often report cancelling medical appointments because of child care issues or responsibilities (Minkler & Fuller-Thomson, 2008). These grandparents often will downplay their illnesses or deteriorating health and delay seeking help in order to provide care for the children <Minkler, M., Fuller-Thomson, E., 1999). Custodial grandparents also tend to report more dissatisfaction in their health as compared to non Custodial grandparents (Minkler, M., Fuller-Thomson, E., 1999).

Common Health Issues

Physical demands on the grandparent can increase the risk of health issues especially if the grandparent is caring for younger grandchildren. Because chasing children around can be very physically taxing, grandparents often loose needed sleep and are more at risk of exposure to infections (Hughes, M., Waite, L., LaPierre, T., & Luo, Y., 2007). Body stiffness and arthritis tends to be a concern with grandparents who care for their grandchildren. Custodial Grandparents are also more likely than non-Custodial grandparents to report limitations in their movement abilities such as moving around the house, climbing stairs, doing household chores and tasks, and even maintaining employment (Whitley, D., Kelley, S., Sipe, T., 2001). The Stress of caring for grandchildren can manifest itself in physical symptoms such as headaches, fatigue, and increased blood pressure (Whitley, D., Kelley, S., Sipe, T., 2001). Another health concern is that due to the stress of being a custodial grandparent, they are more at risk for coronary heart disease and other heart related issues (Goodman et al, 2008). An interesting finding through the research in health problems among custodial grandparents is the increase of poor health habits. Many custodial grandparents report an increase in smoking and drinking, poor eating habits and lack of exercise.<Hughes, M., Waite, L., LaPierre, T., & Luo, Y, 2007> All of these factors contribute to the higher obesity rate in custodial grandparents as compared to non-custodial grandparents. With the higher risk of obesity comes even more health risk factors such as diabetes and its related health issues as well <Whitley, D., Kelley, S., & Sipe, T., 2001>

Positive Health Benefits

There is a small amount of research that has found a positive health improvement link to custodial grandparents. These grandparents have reported a positive experience of raising their grandchildren which has contributed to their emotional well being and physical wellbeing. These grandparents have reported an increase in physical exercise as they are forced to keep up with their grandchildren. There is also studies that have found those who have reported a decrease in unhealthy behaviours such as smoking, drinking and eating poorly as grandparents are aware that their grandchildren are dependent on them and that their health could either make or break the difference between being cared by family or the social services system ( Hughes et al, 2007).

Financial Concerns

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