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Formal and Informal PAS > Project Abstract

Project Abstract

The primary goal of this five-year research project is to study the relationship between formal and informal PAS and caregiving support, and the role of assistive technology (AT) in complementing PAS. The project is directed by Mitch LaPlante and co-directed by Steve Kaye, assisted by Taewoon Kang, research statistician.

The National Health Interview Survey on Disability (NHIS-D) is analyzed to explore important aspects of PAS, including informal and formal helping and their interrelationship, hours of care, unmet need, and their distribution over demographic groups, including age, gender, race and ethnicity, poverty, and living arrangements. In addition, research and validation of results will be undertaken by analyzing the Survey of Income and Program Participation (SIPP). Both of these surveys are large-scale surveys that include measurement of PAS for working age and elderly population. Statistical analyses of these national survey data sets examine a number of important issues. These specifically include whether the association of need for assistance with activities of daily living and hours of informal and formal care received vary between working age and older population groups. Differences in informal hours of personal assistance help provided and family supports are examined for working age and older groups living in the community. Access for paid help among working age and elderly persons with PAS needs also are explored. Unmet needs for personal assistance services vary across demographic population groups and these differences will be explored to examine potential adverse consequences. Changes in the prevalence of the need for PAS between 1997 and 2002 are also examined along with profiles of people who need PAS. Out-of-pocket costs for PAS also are examined for individuals on supplemental security income, social security disability insurance, and by total family income. Finally, profiles of informal helpers are examined using SIPP data for 1998 and 2003. Overall, these research analyses will enhance our understanding of needs and trends for formal and informal PAS across different demographic and income groups.