In the context of population aging, changing family structures, and the growing long-term care needs of adults with disabilities, particularly those with intellectual and developmental disabilities, older parents, spouses, and other relatives are increasingly assuming long-term caregiving responsibilities for adult family members with disabilities. These families constitute a distinct group within long-term care systems. Drawing on relevant literature and policy documents, this paper examines the caregiving challenges faced by older caregivers and proposes potential support strategies. It identifies major pressures related to declining physical health, financial and time constraints, emotional burden, and barriers to service access. It then analyzes four underlying factors: the long duration of caregiving relationships, declining family caregiving resources, the undervaluation of unpaid care work, and weak coordination between services for older adults and disability services. Finally, it recommends strengthening caregiver identification and assessment, community support and respite care, future care planning, and institutional coordination. The paper argues that this issue should not be treated solely as a private family matter; rather, it is a long-term care challenge shaped by demographic change, weakened family support, and the development of public services.

Lejia Hao, Luyin Liang. Caregiving Challenges and Support Strategies for Older Caregivers of Adults with Disabilities in the Context of Population Aging. Academic Journal of Humanities & Social Sciences (2026), Vol. 9, Issue 7: 1-8. https://doi.org/10.25236/AJHSS.2026.090701.

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