Research Symposium

BIO

Olivia Niewald is from Port Orange, Florida, and is a member of the track and cross country team at Florida State University. She is pursuing a career in medicine and is passionate about both academics and athletics. Outside of her studies and training, she enjoys volunteer coaching Tallahassee youth through Run Your City Tallahassee (RYC), a program that fosters a love for running among young athletes.

Support Needs of Older Adult Kinship Caregivers in Florida

Abstract

Older adult kinship caregivers, defined as individuals aged 50 and above
caring for related children, face unique challenges, including chronic health
conditions, financial instability, and limited access to formal support systems.
This study aimed to identify the age range at which these caregivers require the
most assistance, evaluate when social support begins to decline, and assess how
caregiving impacts their mental and physical health. Data were collected from 20
participants across Florida using quantitative surveying methods. Although the
sample size limits broader conclusions, findings revealed that caregivers are
predominantly female, racially diverse, and frequently managing chronic health
conditions.
More than 60% of participants earned $50,000 or less annually, and nearly
25% reported no access to any formal or informal support services. These results
emphasize the need for targeted interventions to address the health, financial,
and support gaps faced by older adult kinship caregivers. In future research,
qualitative interviews will be conducted to explore these trends further and gain
in-depth knowledge of the experience of older adult kinship caregivers to better
inform policy and program development.

Keywords: Older Adult Kinship Caregivers