Internet Exercises

1. Caregiving has become an important aspect of aging in our society. To learn more about caregiving, read "Family Caregiving in an Aging Society" by SusanTennstedt, Ph.D., found at the website for the Administration on Aging (http://www.aoa.dhhs.gov/). Link to the site index, then select the letter "c" for caregiving. After reading the article, answer the following questions:

1. What percentage of Americans aged 65 and older are functionally disabled or in need of care?
2. What does the article say about gender and the amount of informal care an elder receives?
3. Why are an elder's living arrangements an important predictor of the level of care he or she receives?
4. What does Dr. Tennstedt's study say about gender and the relationship of caregivers?
5. What differences does the research show in caregiving across ethnic groups?

2. The Health Care Financing Administration (http://www.hcfa.gov) is the federal agency that administers Medicare, Medicaid, and the State Children's Health Insurance Program. Go to the website and link to What's New on hcfa.gov, then to Fact Sheets. Select and read "December 14, 1999, Assuming Quality Care for Nursing Home Residents." Answer the following questions:

a. About how many elderly and disabled Americans reside in nursing homes?

Summarize the Health Care Financing Administration's instructions to states on the enforcement of government regulations.

3. The Office of Disability, Aging, and Long-Term Care Policy (DALTCP) (http://aspe.hhs.gov/daltcp/home.htm) is charged with developing, analyzing, evaluating and coordinating the policies and programs of the Department of Health and Human Services that support the independence, productivity, health, and long-term care needs of children, working age adults and older persons with disabilities. Go to the homepage and click on "Assisted Living for the Frail Elderly." Read the report "National Study of Assisted Living for the Frail Elderly." Then answer the following questions:

1. To what does the term"assisted living" refer?
2. What is the number of assisted facilities nationwide?
3. What is the major purpose of this study?
4. What policy-relevant issues will be addressed in the study?

4. The Family Caregiver Alliance (http://www.caregiver.org/) is a Web site dedicated to supporting caregivers and providing information about diseases. Go to the site and select "Statistics" from the "Clearinghouse" section. Click on "Who Are the Caregivers?" Then answer the following questions:

1. Who is the typical caregiver, according to the California Caregiver Resource Center?
2. What is the average age of a caregiver?
3. What percentage of caregivers are adult children? Spouses? Wives?
4. How many hours per week does a caregiver provide care?