Research Article

Problematizing Dominant Assumptions about Unpaid Support through Exploring Case Study Profiles of Older Home Care Clients

Table 1

Overview of client participants and role of family/friend caregiver.

ClientAge rangeTime with home care (T1)Type of support (T1)Previous occupationTasks completed by family/friend caregiverFamily/friend caregiver was interviewed for study

Manitoba
Dorothy (1)80–895 yearsMorning and evening personal care. Bath 2x/week. Intermittent nursingHealth professionalCoresident son—meal preparation, laundry, transportationNo
Robert (2)90+3 yearsMorning and evening personal care. Compression stockingsCommunicationsDaughter—weekly meal prep. Large household maintenanceYes
Annette (3)80–892 yearsMorning and evening personal care. Compression stockings. Light housekeepingEducatorSon—transportation, grocery shopping, large household maintenanceYes
Carol (4)60–6915 yearsMorning care (transfers, dressing/bathing, breakfast, physio). Midday and evening (heat and serve, catheter). Night-time (toileting, transfer). Bath 2x/week. Nursing care 3x weekHealth professionalNoneN/A
Margaret (5)60–695 yearsMorning and evening personal care. Medication assistance at lunch and supperHomemakerCoresident husband—personal care, cooking, household maintenance, cleaning, laundry, transportationYes
Ethel (6)90+2 yearsMorning and evening personal care. Compression stockings. Light housekeepingManagerNiece—emergency contactNo

Nova Scotia
Harry (1)80–896 yearsLight housekeeping. Bulk meal preparationManual laborer/civic bureaucratSister-in-law—short-term, live-in support postsurgeryNo
Agnes (2)80–892 yearsLight housekeepingEducator/artsDaughter/son-in-law—large household maintenanceNo
Pauline (3)60–692 yearsPersonal care. Light housekeeping. Bulk meal preparation. Oxygen servicesFood servicesNeighbor—grocery shopping, transportationYes
Ruth (4)70–798 yearsMorning personal care with shower. Compression stockingsBusiness owner/artsCoresident daughter—housekeeping, laundry, transportation, animal careYes
Bertha (5)60–696 yearsLight housekeeping. Home oxygen. Nursing services for approximately 1 month after colon surgeryReceptionist/cleanerSister—transportationYes
Martha (6)60–691 yearPersonal care and light housekeeping and laundry. Postacute serviceClerical/accountingSister—occasional meals, shower supervisionNo