Permanency Planning and Maternal Well-Being: A Study of Caregivers of People with Intellectual Disability in Ireland and Northern Ireland

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Abstract
Family caregiving is recognised as a crucial component of care in the community for people with intellectual disability. Yet caregiving may be a life-long activity which brings heightened risks as well as satisfaction to the caregiver. Access to an appropriate level of formal services, such as shortterm breaks or residential placement, is one factor which can influence caregivers’ vulnerability. Two groups of older mothers — who were primary caregivers in the Republic of Ireland (n=30) and in Northern Ireland (n=SS) — who had no plan for the residential placement of their adult son or daughter were interviewed to determine whether their well-being was adversly effected in comparison with others who had a plan for residential placement. The results indicated that mothers without residential plans reported greater dependency of their sons and daughters and greater maternal stress. Mothers in the Republic of Ireland differed significantly from those in Northern Ireland in their stated needs for formal services for themselves and their sons and daughters. The findings underscore the complexity of the family caregiving role. Priorities for policy makers and service providers are discussed.

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