Caregivers of Adults with Developmental Disabilities

Family carers often provide care and support to adult sons or daughters with developmental disabilities in hospitals. Given the lifelong nature of developmental disabilities, the life course narrative for many carers of adults with developmental disabilities unfolds to an enduring responsibility and devotion in providing support in the hospital. Adults with developmental disabilities are more likely to enter hospitals more frequently as they age, and to stay for longer periods, than other adults. Therefore, as they age, demands upon family carers to provide support in hospitals are also likely to increase. Given that carers have reported providing care in hospitals to be stressful, and that concerns over the health of a loved one can affect quality of life in older people, it is possible that ...