Traditional and Non-traditional Caregivers Define “Family” and Caregiving Obligations

Narrow definitions of family can constrain survey items about obligations regarding who should care for older adults. Current measurement often does not account for the increased prevalence of diverse family forms and support received among older adults. We draw on six focus groups (N = 33) of family or friends caring for older adults with trouble remembering, memory issues, or dementia to explore definitions of family, caregiving, and responsibility. Although many caregivers immediately default to traditional definitions, the breadth of "family" seen as responsible and actual care networks are often broader. In many cases, caregivers considered friends and other non-kin as family because they provided care. Furthermore, both care and obligations are shaped by family dynamics and the older adult's memory loss. Results suggest that survey measures should capture a wider range of relationship ties and dynamics to better understand family, caregiving obligations, and the tensions between them.