Resource Development for Informal Care Partners of Encompass Clients with Cognitive Disability Discharging to Home
Authors:
Madeline Andrews, OT/s, Michelle Magnifico, OT, MS, OTR, Nancy Baker OT, ScD, MPH, OTR
Abstract:
Most older adults (76%) prefer to age in place.1 Informal care partners often make this possible. Almost a third of the 53 million+ informal caregivers in the U.S. report they are needed because of cognitive problems.2 By offering resources to these informal care partners of adults with cognitive disability, we can improve their care and the quality of life of them and their care recipient.3 These improvements may encourage aging in place. An iterative needs assessment, fielding professionals’ opinions, resulted in nine total resources, spanning different topics designated as priority. Following development, the resources were most often rated (by 24 therapy professionals and students) as very effective, very accessible, and very likely to be used.