ENRICHMENT PROCESSES IN FAMILY CAREGIVING TO FRAIL ELDERS

Interview and observational data obtained from caregiver-care recipien t dyads were analyzed in developing a theory of enrichment that explai ns how some families use pleasurable or meaningful experiences in thei r caregiving to frail elders. The personal history and frailty traject ory of both caregiver and care recipient, the quality of the dyadic re lationship, and the caregiving situation are antecedents to enrichment processes. Core elements influencing the nature of enriching events i nclude acquiring symbolic meaning, performing activity, and fine tunin g. Categories of enrichment events are customary routines and innovati ve routine breakers. Consequences of enrichment are relationship and i dentity sustenance for both caregiver and care recipient, comfort for the care recipient, and rewards of meaning for the caregiver.