Care-receivers' perception of their role in the care process

Ninety-one elderly black, Hispanic and white care-receivers were interviewed in-depth regarding their role and their perceptions of the caregiving/care-receiving process. In-depth structured interviews were also conducted with 79 caregivers. Respondents identified a number of common strategies used to assist their caregivers and/or provide self-care. The importance of education, mutual support between caregiver and care-receiver, assumption of responsibility for acceptance of disabilities, and learning new ways of coping were identified as key factors in the care process. The critical importance of care-receivers' roles in maintaining mental health, positive attitudes, and learning new patterns of behavior in the care process is described and the importance of further exploration of care-receiver issues to social work practice is suggested.