Maintaining Employment Among Caregivers of Individuals on a Medicaid Waitlist for Services

Many individuals with developmental or intellectual and other disabilities are on waitlists to receive supportive services through state Medicaid waiver programs. Being waitlisted can place considerable burden on the ability of a caregiver to maintain employment outside the home. This article reports on results of a survey of 442 caregivers of individuals waitlisted for services within the Florida Medicaid program. Logistic regression was used to model characteristics of caregiver and clients that are associated with the need for additional supports in order for the caregiver to maintain employment. Male caregivers and caregivers in fair or poor health were more likely to report needing support. Caregivers of clients who had behavior problems or problems with self-care were also more likely to need support to maintain employment. Policy responses to these findings include a call for increased supports or prioritization of services for caregivers who are in poor health or those who care for individuals with particularly problematic behaviors.