Future Care Planning by Older Grandparents Raising Adolescent Grandchildren

Abstract

Mason’s framework for permanency planning was used to explore thoughts on future care planning among older grandparents raising adolescent grandchildren. In-depth, qualitative interviews were conducted with a diverse sample of 15 participants recruited from three states. The majority of grandparent caregivers were married grandmothers with some college education. Grandparent caregivers reported experiencing worry and fear. Major themes were (a) a preference for adult sons and daughters as future caregivers, (b) limited future care conversations with adolescent grandchildren, (c) sharing information due to personal health crises and special needs of grandchildren, (d) mixed willingness or commitment responses from potential caregivers, and (e) limited formal legal caregiving arrangements. Older grandparent caregivers can benefit from social workers assisting with complex thoughts and issues linked to future care planning. Implications are discussed for social work practice and research.