Compound Caregiving: Toward a Research Agenda.

Eun and colleagues wrote a narrative review. They asked what research is needed to help aging caregivers who look after more than one person with intellectual or developmental disabilities.

The authors call these families compound caregivers. They mapped gaps in service delivery and practitioner training.

Nearly 70 percent of aging caregivers are compound caregivers. They juggle care for multiple adults with IDD for decades.

Current studies ignore their long-term, many-layered stress. The team lists new research questions and service fixes.

Faso et al. (2016) already showed that half of DD caregivers live in poverty and face extra health stressors. Eun et al. widen the lens by showing that many of these same caregivers also manage more than one client.

Winburn et al. (2014) and Heald et al. (2020) detail single-topic strains like sexuality support. Eun et al. argue these strains stack up when one caregiver wears many hats.

Ten Hoopen et al. (2025) list 15 barriers that block respite for any IDD family. Eun et al. say compound caregivers hit every barrier at once and get even less relief.

If you serve adults with IDD, assume the parent across the table may also care for a sibling, spouse, or grandchild. Ask how many people they support, not just how one client is doing. Use that count to prioritize respite, future-planning, and stress management. Push funders to study these families before the caregiver crisis deepens.