Aging parents of adult children with mental retardation: is age factor in their perception of burdens or gratifications?

This paper describes a study of aging parents of adult children with mental retardation. The challenges faced by aging parents are discussed from the perspective of life-span developmental psychology. This study examines whether there are differences based on age of parent in caregiver burdens and caregiver gratifications. No significant differences on the basis of age were found and analyses of the results suggest that age of parent may be less helpful in understanding the experiences of life-long caregiving than family context and history. Recommendations for practice and policy are discussed.