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‘How long are we able to go on?’ Issues faced by older family caregivers of adults with disabilities
- Authors:
- DILLENBURGER Karola, MCKERR Lyn
- Journal article citation:
- British Journal of Learning Disabilities, 39(1), March 2011, pp.29-38.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
As the population ages, the number of older carers of disabled children rises accordingly. This paper reports findings from a study of parents/carers of disabled children asking them about relationships, social support and future planning. These carers are often under a lot of stress because of failing health, financial pressures, bereavement and worry about the future of their sons/daughters. Participants included 29 older parents/cares of 27 adults with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities. They were interviewed to investigate their views and experiences regarding long-term care and service arrangements, health and psychological needs and future planning. Results revealed a serious lack of support, respite care and future planning which caused high stress levels for caregivers. The authors concluded that policy makers and researchers working in this should take into consideration the needs of older caregivers when making future plans for adults with disabilities.
What the future holds: older people caring for adult sons and daughters with disabilities
- Authors:
- DILLENBURGER Karola, MCKERR Lyn
- Publisher:
- Changing Ageing Partnership
- Publication year:
- 2009
- Pagination:
- 150p., bibliog.
- Place of publication:
- Belfast
This report is based on interviews with 29 parents reporting on 27 adult sons and daughters with disabilities in which issues were explored in relation to present life circumstances, support from family and service providers, levels of health and impairment, and futures planning. Findings expose high levels of commitment and love for sons and daughters in the face of, at times, severe disabilities and carers’ ill health. Carers also experienced twice the level of psychological stress than the general population. They faced worry and loneliness, experienced severe lack of statutory support, and reported near non-existence of futures planning, especially in cases with highest levels of impairment.