Time use of caregivers of impaired elders before and after institutionalization

Time use was examined by means of time budgets obtained from 165 caregivers of older persons recruited from nursing home waiting lists and state nursing home assessment programs. "Yesterday interviews" were done at baseline (T1) and, again, an average of 5 months later when the elder had either entered a nursing home (n = 77) or was still awaiting entry (n = 88). Caregivers who provided more help (particularly instrumental assistance) to their elder were more likely to see that person placed in a nursing home at follow-up. More caregiving time was reported by those living with the elderly person and by nonworking and lower income caregivers; the elders being cared for by these groups were also more impaired. Less caregiving time (a total gain of 1 hour 47 minutes) was reported by caregivers following admission of the older person to the nursing home. The gained time was allocated to a significant degree to family interaction, recreation, and time outside the home.