The transition to the caregiving role. A panel study of helpers of elderly people

This article examines the impact of helping among a panel of people assisting older people living in the community. Data were collected through interviews in 1979 and in 1986 with a linear probability sample of older people living in the community and with their primary helpers. Results suggest that providing assistance to an older person over an extended time period undermines the elder helper relationship. Despite evidence that extended helping is difficult, the helpers in this panel continued to respond to the older person's need for assistance. The analysis also indicated that these early stages of caring may also generate positive outcomes for the helpers.