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The family supports of 115 individuals 65 years and older were studied after discharge from the hospital and again an average of 8 months later. From the group as a whole at Time 2, the mean functional level had stabilized. Probably as a result, the family supports declined, although more patients reported problems with morale and loneliness. An analysis was also made of those patients who were dependent during the 8-month period. In comparison with those who had achieved independent functioning, it was found that strain was high and more families used formal supports. Adaptive mechanisms to the burdens of care are also described.
Johnson et al. (Thu,) studied this question.