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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.
Facilitating transition: elements of successful case management practice for older parents of adults with intellectual disability
- Authors:
- BIGBY Christine, OZANNE Elizabeth, GORDON Meg
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Gerontological Social Work, 37(3/4), 2002, pp.24-43.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- Philadelphia, USA
The increased life expectancy of people with intellectual disability raises the dual issues of supporting aging parental carers to continue in their role and ensuring a smooth transition for middle-aged adults with intellectual disability to non-parental care. However, few services are specifically designed to respond to these issues and older carers are not generally dissagregated from other groups. This paper reports on an evaluation that examined the characteristics of these families, the outcomes for carers and adults, and the strategies adopted to achieve these. The elements of successful case management practice with older carers demonstrated in the programs were proactivity and prevention with a dual emphasis on maintenance and change for both the carer and their adult child with intellectual disability. Demands on carers were reduced by the introduction of formal services such as “recreation as respite” whilst the environmental demands for adults were increased, thus effecting change and providing vital ingredients for preparation for the future.