FPAC: Future Planning for Aging Caregivers
Project Description:
Need: In the U.S., most adults with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities (I/DD) live with their aging parents or other family members. Over 80% of these caregivers report significant fatigue, emotional stress, and guilt. One of the unfortunate consequences of the demands placed on caregivers is that there is little time for proactive planning. Despite caregivers repeatedly stating that their biggest concern is, "What will happen to my loved one when I am gone?" only about 1 in 3 caregivers have been able to find time to address this question (Ragusa, 2016; Susan, 2020). The Future Planning for Aging Caregivers (FPAC) project will help families plan and provide for the long-term financial and daily needs of their family member(s) with an I/DD using an innovative and easy-to-use app. Through the Dani Plan, clients can develop an individualized, family-centered care plan that will include their financial investments to create a special needs trust, and arrange for diverse support services. The goals of the proposed Hope for Aging Caregivers project are: 1. Pilot scalable technology for the creation and maintenance of the Dani Plan with 100 aging caregivers across the state of Michigan; 2. Support critical planning and care coordination; and 3. Demonstrate cost efficiency by increasing planning preparedness. The overarching goal of the FPAC project is to improve the health and well-being of aging family caregivers of adults with I/DD using innovative technology that enables care planning that is coordinated, cost-effective and sustainable.
Keyword(s):
future planning; aging caregivers
Core Function(s):
Other Direct/Model Services
Area of Emphasis
Quality of Life, Other
Target Audience:
Family Members/Caregivers
Unserved or Under-served Populations:
Geographic Areas, Empowerment Zone, Rural/Remote, Urban, Territory, Geographic Area - Other, Other
Primary Target Audience Geographic Descriptor:
State
COVID-19 Related Data:
N/A
