In the long run, in order to make sure the look processes therefore the results have been real with respect to the sounds and you may definitions out of professionals themselves ( Lincoln & Guba, 1985), we working processes eg representative examining (returning to users and other key informants to test one our investigation produced feel to them and you may reflected its modern purpose), referential adequacy (it 
comes to the literature in order to experts in industry to be sure the analysis is actually in keeping with both interviews transcripts and you will earlier research), and prolonged involvement (staying in industry and continuing so you’re able to interview to own a long time frame to make certain both enough perspective and you can articles for analytic motives).
Breakdown off Participants
A total of 17 caregivers participated in the modern analysis. These provided 5 out of Montreal, 2 out of Halifax, and you can 10 regarding Vancouver. Users throughout the analysis integrated cuatro mature students (step three regarding who identified as heterosexual and you may step 1 because homosexual), 7 couples (5 lesbian, dos homosexual), 4 members of the family (step three gay, 1 lesbian); and you may step 1 cousin and you can step one neighbor (both heterosexual). The latest sex writeup on the participants fit new questioned selecting out of much more women caregivers (10) than men (7). The age of the fresh caregivers ranged out-of 33 age to help you 68 age, with the typical chronilogical age of 63 decades into the lovers and you may 41 years towards the adult students.
The new caregivers regarding the investigation stated various times during the the fresh new caregiving part. Specific got simply started caregiving for less than per year, whereas anybody else ended up being caregiving for up to two decades. The brand new volume of contact ranged regarding around the clock to help you 2 issues away from get in touch with (calls, visits) a week (find Desk 1).
Self-Character given that a great Caregiver
Look regarding the standard caregiving literature (showing the heterosexual caregiving relationships) means that the individuals friends exactly who bring outstanding instrumental, real, financial, and mental help in order to older nearest and dearest do not commonly choose on their own because caregivers. This is especially valid out of spouses whom look for caregiving since an effective pure expansion of its spousal role, some thing done from love otherwise responsibility or because of this out-of a reciprocal connection with brand new worry person. Caregivers in the current research known using this type of facts, providing obvious evidence one to caregivers out-of gay and lesbian seniors provides a similar sense of motivation and name (self-character given that good caregiver) because the caregivers of heterosexual elderly people. The second estimate reflects which:
I am not really a caregiver, it’s a relationship depending love. I like my partner, I found myself constantly which have him, we are going to often be with her. … This has been thirty years that we is with her, thus i look after him. … (Partner, gay)
Taking care of from looking after a homosexual or lesbian older will get range from the idea of society name and you may connection because an encouraging grounds having delivering worry. It directed to help you a new power of one’s lgbt people that could possibly determine the fresh caregiving feel. One to lesbian partner caregiver reflected about precisely how her family relations regarding the lesbian society you will understand themselves: “Significantly less … caregivers, but there is rallying into the community to express i must put assistance to [her].”
This concept from society confronted the idea one to old homosexual boys and you may lesbians have been, because of their sexual orientation, more isolated than simply the heterosexual equivalents. Indeed, some investigating have suggested one more mature homosexual men and you can lesbians effortlessly practice friendships and experience an extensive feeling of society through the its existence you to comes after her or him into their retirement ( Shippy ainsi que al., 2004; Thompson & Richardson, 2002).