Grandchildren Caring for Grandparents: Modeling the Complexity of Family Caregiving

Authored by Emily S. Ihara, Brant M. Horio, Catherine J. Tompkins

Date Published: 2012

DOI: 10.1080/01488376.2012.711684

Sponsors: No sponsors listed

Platforms: NetLogo

Model Documentation: Other Narrative Pseudocode Mathematical description

Model Code URLs: Model code not found

Abstract

This study focuses on grandchildren (Generation 3 or G3) caring for grandparents (Generation 1 or G1) and uses agent-based modeling to conceptualize and test a model of two factorscapability and motivationthat may affect a G3's decision to provide care for a G1. We tested our conceptual model and found that the simulated proportion of G3 caregivers has concurrent validity with existing empirical data. In experiments conducted with the validated model, we investigated universal- and targeted-policy changes (tax credit for caregivers) and found that although the universal-policy change increased G3 caregiving overall, a policy change targeting low- and middle-income caregivers was even more successful.

Tags

Agent-based modeling grandchildren caregivers policy experimentation