Living with and caring for older family members: Issues related to caregiver well-being

Using the strengths-based Caregiver Well-Being Scale, this research provide s social workers with strategies for assessing and promoting caregiver well -being. One hundred eighteen family caregivers (64 spouse and 54 adult chil d caregivers) are used to examine caregiver relationship to the care-recipi ent and 138 caregivers are included in the analyses for co-residential arra ngement with the care-recipient. Predictors of well-being are highlighted f or each group. Caregiver competence and depression predict well-being for s pouse, adult child and non-co-resident caregivers. Depression is the only p redictor for co-resident caregivers. Using the activities of living sub-sca le, depression predicts well-being for all groups. Additionally, caregiver strain relates to spouse well-being. Implications for social work practice with family caregivers are highlighted.