Comparison of specialist and mainstream programs for older carers of adults with intellectual disability: considerations for service development
- Authors:
- BIGBY Christine, OZANNE Elizabeth
- Journal article citation:
- Australian Social Work, 57(3), September 2004, pp.273-287.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
Older carers of adults with intellectual disabilities experience unique challenges. Outreach initiatives identify a high number who are unknown to support services and a case is made to proactively engage them to assist in future planning for their adult children. An earlier study by the authors suggested that, in Victoria, specialist case management programmes for older carers occupied a unique place within the service system. Discusses a study that further explored the functions of specialist programs for this group through a comparison with a mainstream disability case-management program. Few differences were found, although mainstream programs did not undertake outreach and community education functions. Models that build on the capacity of mainstream case management or carer support programs to work with older carers and target outreach more effectively are discussed.
- Subject terms:
- learning disabilities, older people, service development, carers, case management;
- Content type:
- research
- Location(s):
- Australia
- Link:
- Journal home page
- ISSN online:
- 1447-0748
- ISSN print:
- 0312-407X