Training Professionals to Facilitate Future Planning for Aging Caregivers: Exploratory Results From a Multistate Intervention

Background: Planning for the future is important for individuals with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities (I/DD) and their families. When caregivers are no longer able to provide support, individuals with I/DD may experience loss of services or benefits, residential or employment‐related disruption, or other adverse consequences. Up until now, most future planning related interventions and approaches have been focused on directly supporting families and individuals with I/DD. Methods: We present findings from a training intervention designed for professionals who work with individuals with I/DD and their families, suggesting that future planning be included in service provision and community outreach. Results: Training participants increased their confidence in helping families plan and their likelihood to take action after participating in a 1‐day training. Conclusions: We discuss the implications of developing disability professionals as allies and resources to families as they engage in future planning activities.