Caregivers with Disabilities: An Overlooked & Under-supported Caregiving Population
Article Publication Date
Summary
The Community Living Policy Center, an affiliate of the Lurie Institute for Disability Policy at Brandeis University, has published a new research brief exploring health and social outcomes among caregivers with disabilities.
The new brief demonstrates that:
• Over one-third (36%) of adult family caregivers in the U.S. have a disability, yet they are rarely recognized in caregiver research, policy, or support programs.
• Compared to nondisabled caregivers, disabled caregivers are more likely to be older, LGBTQ+, rural, low-income, less educated, and unemployed.
• Disabled caregivers report higher rates of housing insecurity, food insecurity, job loss, transportation barriers, lack of social and emotional support, stress, loneliness, poor sleep, poor mental health, multiple chronic conditions, and inability to afford healthcare.
The new brief demonstrates that:
• Over one-third (36%) of adult family caregivers in the U.S. have a disability, yet they are rarely recognized in caregiver research, policy, or support programs.
• Compared to nondisabled caregivers, disabled caregivers are more likely to be older, LGBTQ+, rural, low-income, less educated, and unemployed.
• Disabled caregivers report higher rates of housing insecurity, food insecurity, job loss, transportation barriers, lack of social and emotional support, stress, loneliness, poor sleep, poor mental health, multiple chronic conditions, and inability to afford healthcare.