The "invisible caregiver": multicaregiving among diabetic African-American grandmothers

Abstract

Purpose: To explore the multicaregiving roles African-American grandmothers assume while self-managing their diabetes.

Design & methods: This longitudinal, qualitative pilot study explored the challenges of self-managing diabetes among six African-American caregiving grandmothers. Data were collected at 5 times points across 18 months. Content analysis, guided by the Adaptive Leadership framework, was conducted using data matrices to facilitate within-case and cross-case analyses.

Results: Although participants initially stated they cared only for grandchildren, all had additional caregiving responsibilities. Four themes emerged which illustrated how African-American caregiving grandmothers put the care of dependent children, extended family and community before themselves. Using the Adaptive Leadership framework, technical and adaptive challenges arising from multicaregiving were described as barriers to diabetes self-management.

Implications: When assisting these women to self-manage their diabetes, clinicians must assess challenges arising from multicaregiving. This might require developing collaborative work relationships with the client to develop meaningful and attainable goals.

Keywords: African American; Caregiving; Chronic illness management; Diabetes; Grandmothers raising grandchildren; Longitudinal; Multicaregiving; Older adults; Qualitative; Self-management.