Financial and time costs to parents of severely disabled children

Abstract

This paper considers the financial burden of parents caring for severely disabled children. A model to predict parents' out-of-pocket expenses and caregiving time demands is described. Discriminant analysis correctly classified high and low group membership for out-of-pocket expenses and caregiving time at 72 percent and 77 percent, respectively. Expected rates were 50 percent. Time spent caregiving was the best predictor for out-of-pocket expenses, and out-of-pocket expenses was the best predictor of caregiving time. A need-based approach for the distribution of resources that recognizes and adjusts for caregiving time and out-of-pocket costs is recommended.