Spending Time: Caregiving Consumption in the Context of Aids/Hiv

ABSTRACT - The AIDS pandemic has resulted in profound social changes within and outside gay men’s communities, providing an interesting and unique context for caring consumption that emphasizes patient-centered care and empowered health consumers, persons living with AIDS (PLWAs) and their families. This article reports the findings of a study of the psychological and social dynamics involved with the caregiving practices associated with the dying and death of someone with AIDS. Twenty informants were interviewed about the circumstances involved in the palliative care, the difficulties encountered with service providers, doctors, and other caregivers, and about how they dealt with grief after death. Findings include an unpacking of the meanings of consumers’ time in the context of caregiving practices.

Citation:

Steven M. Kates (2001) ,"Spending Time: Caregiving Consumption in the Context of Aids/Hiv", in NA - Advances in Consumer Research Volume 28, eds. Mary C. Gilly and Joan Meyers-Levy, Valdosta, GA : Association for Consumer Research, Pages: 215.

Advances in Consumer Research Volume 28, 2001     Page 215

SPENDING TIME: CAREGIVING CONSUMPTION IN THE CONTEXT OF AIDS/HIV

Steven M. Kates, Monash University

ABSTRACT -

The AIDS pandemic has resulted in profound social changes within and outside gay men’s communities, providing an interesting and unique context for caring consumption that emphasizes patient-centered care and empowered health consumers, persons living with AIDS (PLWAs) and their families. This article reports the findings of a study of the psychological and social dynamics involved with the caregiving practices associated with the dying and death of someone with AIDS. Twenty informants were interviewed about the circumstances involved in the palliative care, the difficulties encountered with service providers, doctors, and other caregivers, and about how they dealt with grief after death. Findings include an unpacking of the meanings of consumers’ time in the context of caregiving practices.

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