Older and younger family caregivers of adults with intellectual disability: factors associated with future plans

Abstract

A structured interview survey was conducted in a major city in Taiwan to explore and compare older and younger family primary caregivers' well being and their future caregiving plans for these adults with intellectual disability. The sample size was 315 caregivers who were 55 years or older and who cared for adults with intellectual disability and 472 similar caregivers who were under 55 years of age. The results indicated that the older caregivers compared with younger ones reported a lower quality of life, less family support, a more negative perception of having a family member with intellectual disability, and greater worries about the future care arrangements of the adult with intellectual disability. Statistical analysis showed that predisposing, enabling, and need factors influenced the caregivers' future caregiving options.