Thousands of parents in their seventies and eighties are still the primary caregivers for their adult children with disabilities. On the Suncoast, that includes retirees in Sarasota, Bradenton, and the beach communities who have been on duty for decades and now face their own health concerns. Gerontologist Sam Cradduck says the hardest part is mortality: these parents are aging while still responsible for a younger person entrusted to them. Aging expert Amy O’Rourke notes that after years in the role, caregiving becomes identity, not just a duty.
The good news is that a few deliberate steps can change the entire picture. A special needs trust holds assets for a child without jeopardizing SSI or Social Security eligibility. Guardianship and residential choices, including adult residential facilities that provide nonmedical supervision, should be lined up well before a crisis. Siblings should not simply be assumed into the caregiver role; experts warn that can push the same crisis onto the next generation. Respite and case management are available through Florida’s aging and disability programs, local nonprofits, and caregiver networks.
If you have been meaning to make that attorney appointment or call about respite, this is your nudge. The families who plan early are the ones who keep their child’s care stable no matter what happens. What is one step you could take this month to protect the person who depends on you?
