Family Caregiving to Frail Elders: Experiences of Young Adult Grandchildren as Auxiliary Caregivers

A phenomenological exploration of the lived experiences of young adult grandchildren involved in the process of family caregiving to frail grandparents was undertaken. In-depth interviews were conducted with 10 young adult grandchildren who were involved as auxiliary caregivers. Three primary themes emerged from analysis of the interview data. The first theme encompassed both the diversity and continuity of the nature of intergenerational relationships in their families. The second theme captured aspects of the nature of their involvement in the family caregiving process. The third theme emerged from their descriptions of feeling caught in the middle or pulled in various ways.