Family Caregivers of the Frail Elderly: A Jewish Communal Response to Expressed Needs

The authors explore the needs of family caregivers of the frail elderly of Montreal within Montreal's Jewish community. Particular attention is paid to comparisons between Jewish caregivers of Ashkenazi and Sephardi origin. The authors find that younger caregivers are significantly more able to gain access to formal resources, as well as to maintain more informal family and friend support. In contrast, older caregivers feel more isolated and have lower life satisfaction. Sephardi caregivers are significantly more isolated and less able to mobilize outside resources than Ashkenazi caregivers. All caregivers expressed significant service needs in areas of financial support, assisted transportation, ongoing counseling, and respite care.

Journal of Jewish Communal Service

Vol. 70

no. 1

34-42

Fall 1993

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