Older Women Doing Home Care : Exploitation or Ideal Job?

Older Women Doing Home Care : Exploitation or Ideal Job?

Article exploring the contexts and conditions of older age women as increasingly common personal assistance and home care aides in the twenty-first century. This occupation at the convergence of the growing need for home care workers in American homes, with the financial insecurity of older active adults in need of supplemental income, and who are able to provide social support and physical assistance to elders in need of care-taking. Author asks: "As older women are choosing, or being forced, to work later in life, is personal care work in their best interest?" (300). Article based on mixed-methods research - the Older Worker Study - including interviews with Maine home health workers: discussion of financial status, family status, work history, and attitudes toward age and experience. Written by a Professor of Social Work at the University of Maine.

Butler, Sandra S.

2013

en

Journal article

21st century; Maine

0163-4372

4

299-317

Journal of Gerontological Social Work

56