Evaluating the Benefits of a Family Support Program on the Health and Well-Being of Aging Family Caregivers of Adults with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities

ABSTRACT

Providing care to a family member with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) takes a toll on the health of the caregiver and the family, especially as they age. Research shows that peer mediated family support programs can improve caregiver health and well-being. To date, most family support programs have focused on family caregivers of children and youth with I/DD. The purpose of this study was to examine the benefits of participating in the Michigan Older Caregivers of Emerging Adults with Autism and Neurodevelopmental Disabilities (MI-OCEAN) family support program grounded in the Family Quality of Life (FQOL) framework. Specifically, we examined the effect of participation on health care utilization, caregiver well-being, and perceptions of global FQOL for older caregivers of adults with I/DD. Quantitative analysis of data gathered from 82 caregivers (age 50 and older) indicated that study participation was associated with increased use of Medicaid and improved caregiver well-being (reduced burden, stress, depression; increased health satisfaction and FQOL). Future research is needed to examine the long-term impact of the family support programs in improving the health and well-being of older caregivers of adults with I/DD.

KEYWORDS:

• Aging
• intellectual disabilities
• peer mentoring
• caregiving
• health

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the Michigan Health Endowment Fund under Grant # R-1807-143067.

Notes on contributors

Sharon Milberger

Sharon Milberger, ScD is the Director of the Michigan Developmental Disabilities Institute, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI.

Christina Marsack-Topolewski

Christina Marsack-Topolewski, PhD, LMSW is an Associate Professor in the School of Social Work in Eastern Michigan University, Ypsilanti, MI.

Elizabeth Janks

Elizabeth Janks, MSW is the Associate Director of Training and Community Support at the Michigan Developmental Disabilities Institute at Wayne State University, Detroit, MI.

Nia Anderson

Nia Anderson, MSW is a Research Assistant at the Michigan Developmental Disabilities Institute at Wayne State University, Detroit, MI.

Michael Bray

Michael Bray, EdS is the Director Associate Director for Dissemination and Technology, Michigan Developmental Disabilities Institute at Wayne State University, Detroit, MI.

Preethy S. Samuel

Preethy S. Samuel, PhD is an Associate Professor of Occupational Therapy, Department of Health Care Sciences in the Eugene Applebaum College of Pharmacy & Health Sciences, and an Adjunct Faculty of the Michigan Developmental Disabilities Institute, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI.