Supporting Older Caregivers of Adults With Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities: Perceived Effectiveness of Peer Mentors

Abstract

This study’s purpose was to determine the effectiveness of relationships between a family support navigator (FSN) and older caregivers of adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities who participated in a family support project. The Beach Center’s Family Professional Partnership scale modified for use with older caregivers (N = 96) was found to be valid and reliable. Two factors (FSN skills and family needs) emerging from the exploratory factor analysis explained 77% of the variance in FSN satisfaction. Most caregivers were satisfied or very satisfied with their FSNs’ ability to build upon their family’s strengths. Analysis of the open-ended comments of caregiver experiences with FSNs yielded four themes (person, process, challenges, and relationships) that supported caregiver satisfaction with peer mentoring.

Keywords

aging development across the lifespan subjects of practice disabilities/ rehabilitation family caregiving caregiving family systems and functioning peer mentors family quality of life

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