Faculty Advisor(s)
Ariana Belles
Files
Abstract
Caregivers of individuals with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities (IDD) are essential in supporting health, well-being, and aging in place; however, they are often overlooked in policy and occupational therapy (OT) practice. Caregivers frequently experience heightened levels of stress, anxiety, depression, physical fatigue, and social marginalization. Adults with IDD face disproportionately high rates of chronic disease and mental health conditions, and despite the development of resources to support this population, caregivers report barriers to locating, understanding, and utilizing these assets. A scoping review was conducted to determine and explore the needs of caregivers and the systemic challenges they face, including fragmented services, discrimination, and the lack of accessible resources. Findings confirmed the need for occupation-centered interventions that promote health, inclusion, and dignity for caregivers and individuals with IDD. The Caregiver AIDS Capstone Project, focused on addressing the complex needs of caregivers supporting adults and older adults with IDD. A central component of the project was the development of a free, digitally accessible booklet, which provides clear and practical information on future planning, transitioning out of the education system, social and recreational opportunities, financial resources, relationships and intimacy, and housing options. Additionally, a community resource fair was held in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, to connect caregivers with local services to better prepare them for the future. Feedback on both the booklet and resource fair were positive, highlighting the value of the information provided and connections created. OT is uniquely positioned to address these caregiver challenges through advocacy, caregiver education, and community-based interventions that promote engagement in meaningful occupations.
Publication Date
2025
Document Type
Poster
Department
Occupational Therapy
Keywords
caregiver, community-based interventions, occupational therapy, intellectual disability, developmental disability, adulthood
Disciplines
Medicine and Health Sciences | Occupational Therapy | Rehabilitation and Therapy
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 International License.
Recommended Citation
Conway, Lena M., "Caregiver Resources for Aging with an Intellectual and/or Developmental Disability (RAIDD)" (2025). Entry Level Occupational Therapy Doctoral Capstone Projects Class of 2025. 1.
https://digitalcommons.misericordia.edu/otd_capstone2025/1