Challenges in Transitional Phases of Foster Care for Older Adults: Perspectives of Foster Caregivers.
Sini Eloranta, Teija Juntunen
PMID 42466611WHAT IT FOUND
Foster caregivers said some older adults arrived needing two helpers to move, needing toileting or eating support, or having night restlessness.
These needs made home placements unsuitable. They wanted a functional assessment before admission to prevent strain.
Key findings
01Caregivers described residents whose physical or cognitive capacity was too low for foster-home daily life, including needing help with moving, toileting, eating, and night restlessness.
02Caregivers said fear of income loss could lead them to accept or keep residents who were no longer suitable, and they linked this to exhaustion.
03Caregivers wanted a validated functional assessment such as RAI before placement to judge whether an older adult could cope in a foster home.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for OTs
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What it does not show
Only five foster carers from one country were interviewed, so the themes are not generalisable. Participants were caregivers, not older adults, so residents' own views were missing. Detailed demographics were not collected to protect anonymity. The study describes experiences and does not test whether assessments or support changes improve outcomes.
The easy way to misread this
Do not read this as proof that foster care is unsafe or that a functional assessment will prevent unsuitable placements. The study interviewed five caregivers and did not measure resident outcomes or test an assessment system.