Aging and Transitions Project: Future Planning Roadmap
Project Description:
Eighty-eight percent of individuals with developmental disabilities in Arizona reside with a family caregiver or spouse, or have their own households. There are 16,000 individuals in Arizona who reside with family caregivers in what the authors call an "informal system of residential care." Nationally, 35% of these family caregivers are age 41-59 and 25% are over age 60. Although Arizona's large number of individuals with DD living in community settings impacts quality of life issues positively, it has another important, sometimes forgotten, implication. As caregivers enter middle age, it becomes critical that they consider the future needs of their loved ones as they become less able to provide the necessary care and support. The data indicates that there may be up to 5,600 Arizona families who should be planning for this transition. The number of persons over age 65 is expected to more than double in the next 30 years meaning that demand for services for people who reside with aging family caregivers will significantly increase.
A major aspect of the Aging & Transitions Project is the Future Planning Project (2016) which examines the experiences of adults with disabilities, families, and service/support professionals as they support each other during various life transitions and the future planning process. Research methodology includes an online survey for family caregivers and service/support providers and interviews with persons with disabilities and their family. Project outcome is a revised edition of the Future Planning Roadmap.
Additionally, in our efforts to increase support and resources for healthy aging in PWDD through community education and information dissemination, the Sonoran UCEDD is adapting existing and developing new materials and training curricula in the areas of fall prevention and dementia capable care. The UCEDD will also compile a toolkit for later life transitions by packaging a list of resources and education materials for aging related needs for individuals with DD and their families by the end of this 5yr funding cycle.
Keyword(s):
aging caregivers , life transitions, end of life, future planning
Core Function(s):
Performing Research or Evaluation, Developing & Disseminating Information, Continuing Education/Community Training
Area of Emphasis
Quality Assurance, Health-Related Activities, Quality of Life, Other
Target Audience:
Students/Trainees (long or intermediate trainees), Community Trainees / Short term trainees, Professionals and Para-Professionals, Family Members/Caregivers, Adults with Disabilities
Unserved or Under-served Populations:
Racial or Ethnic Minorities, Geographic Areas, Reservation, Rural/Remote, Urban, Specific Groups, Other
Primary Target Audience Geographic Descriptor:
State, National
COVID-19 Related Data:
N/A
