TESTING A MODEL FOR POSTHOSPITAL TRANSITION OF FAMILY CAREGIVERS FOR ELDERLY PERSONS

The purpose of this study was to test a model of factors influencing family caregivers' responses and health outcomes during the 2-month period following an elder's discharge from the hospital for acute episodes of chronic illness. The elder's average age was 72.3 years. The average age of caregivers, 63% of whom were spouses of the elder, was 61 years. A longitudinal design was used for this study. Data were collected from 346 elder/caregiver dyads the day before discharge and at 2 weeks and 2 months postdischarge. Structural equation analysis was used to evaluate the conceptual model. The findings suggest that the model fits the data with an overall Goodness of Fit Index of .80.