Meanings of Care Convoys

The Structure, Function, and Adequacy of Care Networks Among Frail, Community-Dwelling Older Adults

Bibliographic Data

ID4716538
AuthorsDeborah Lambotte (0000-0002-0670-3351, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium, corresponding author), An-Sofie Smetcoren (0000-0002-4581-4898, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium), G A Rixt Zijlstra (0000-0001-7377-5745, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands), Jan De Lepeleire (0000-0001-6152-2134, University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium), Liesbeth De Donder (0000-0003-4999-5902, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium), Martinus Josephus Maria Kardol (Vrije Universiteit Brussel), A-Ssmetcoren, Dury (0000-0003-0743-0364, Vrije Universiteit Brussel), S Dury, E Dierckx (0000-0002-2839-4027, Vrije Universiteit Brussel), Bram Fret (0000-0001-8158-4164, Vrije Universiteit Brussel), D Duppen (0000-0002-5481-0231, Vrije Universiteit Brussel), M Kardol, D Verté (0000-0002-2668-8996, Vrije Universiteit Brussel), L J Hoeyberghs, Lieve Hoeyberghs (0000-0002-6623-9116), Niels De Witte (0000-0002-3541-1382, Vrije Universiteit Brussel), E E De Roeck, Ellen De Roeck (0000-0002-6566-6562), Engelborgh, Sebastiaan Engelborghs (0000-0003-0304-9785, Vrije Universiteit Brussel), Peter Paul De Deyn (0000-0002-2228-2964), Maarten van der Elst (Vrije Universiteit Brussel), Birgitte Schoenmakers (0000-0003-1909-9613, Vrije Universiteit Brussel), Anne van der Vorst (0000-0002-8235-6662), G I J M Kempen (0000-0002-7053-2198), J M G A Schols (0000-0002-4062-2061)
Year2020
Volume30
Issue4
Pages583-597
Publication date2020-03-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueQualitative Health Research (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1049-7323 • E-ISSN: 1552-7557
PublisherSAGE Publications Inc (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1177/1049732319861934
PMID31303115
OpenAlexW2957754126
LanguageEN
Citations received11
References cited60

Researchers propose that the convoy of care model should be used to study care networks of frail, older individuals. Care convoys are defined as the evolving collection of individuals who may or may not have close personal connections to the recipient or to one another, but who provide care, including help with activities of daily living (ADLs) and instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs), socio-emotional care, skilled health care, monitoring, and advocacy. This study reports on community-dwelling older adults' experiences of their care convoy, how care convoys change over time, and perceived (positive) outcomes. A qualitative analysis among 65 semi-structured interviews with frail, community-dwelling older adults demonstrates a great variety in the composition of care convoys. Participants were often actively involved in their care convoy and valued the social/relational aspect of care. Care and support covered a wide range of activities, with some activities being provided by specific types of caregivers. Participants expressed the adequacy of their care convoy in terms of satisfaction and sufficiency. Noteworthy, participants who were satisfied with their care convoy did not necessarily receive sufficient help. Policies and practice should recognize the relational aspect of care, the complex interplay between all actors, and the dynamic character of care convoys

Activities of daily living · Health care · Psychiatry · Qualitative research · Dementia and Cognitive Impairment Research · Geriatric Care and Nursing Homes · Health disparities and outcomes · Medicine · Nursing · Psychology · Gerontology