title: Consumer-directed supports: economic, health, and social outcomes for families.
abstract: The impact of a consumer-directed support program on family caregivers of adults with developmental disabilities was explored. Economic, health, and social outcomes were compared between families in the program and families on the waiting list for the program. Caregivers of adults in the program reported fewer out-of-pocket disability expenses, greater access to health care, engagement in more social activities, and greater leisure satisfaction. There also appeared to be greater impacts on lower income families; these caregivers reported better mental health and access to health care than did similar caregivers on the waiting list.
authors.affiliation: Department of Disability and Human Development, University of Illinois in Chicago, Chicago, IL 60608, USA. jcaldw3@uic.edu
authors.forename: Joe
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Caldwell
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D017028:Caregivers; D005190:Family / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D017048:Health Care Costs; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D007899:Leisure Activities; D008297:Male; D010549:Personal Satisfaction; D012944:Social Support; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires