Health, Support, and Service Needs of Older Adult Kinship Caregivers in Florida: Preliminary Findings from the Oak Project

Background and Purpose
Kinship care placements are increasing across the U.S., yet the needs of older kinship caregivers, defined here as individuals aged 50 and older, remain underexplored. While prior research has shown that kinship care benefits children, older adults providing care often experience heightened vulnerability due to chronic health conditions, financial strain, and limited access to formal support services. Many existing studies have treated kinship caregivers as a homogeneous group, overlooking how caregiving intersects with age and health. This study seeks to fill that gap by examining how older caregivers are doing physically and mentally, and their access to both formal and informal support.

Methods
This study employs a cross-sectional, quantitative design using survey data collected from kinship caregivers in Florida aged 50 and older. The sample includes both formal and informal caregivers. Variables include caregiver age, race/ethnicity, gender, number of children in care, self-reported physical and mental health, and sources of formal and informal support (e.g., assistance from the Florida Department of Children and Families, support from family/friends, and community organizations). Descriptive statistics were used to examine caregiver demographics, employment and income status, health conditions, and access to formal services such as those from the Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF). The current project seeks to deepen understanding by exploring these trends and identifying critical points at which additional support is needed. Research questions: (1) What are the demographic characteristics of older kinship caregivers? (2) Do they receive support?

Results
The initial phase of this project utilized a cross-sectional quantitative survey targeting older kinship caregivers aged 51 to 72 (M=59) across Florida. This survey examined demographics, support access, caregiver well-being, and service utilization among a sample of 20 older adult kinship caregivers. Findings indicated significant challenges with service access, health, and financial well-being. Sixty percent (n=12) of participants reported never receiving formal services from the Department of Children and Families, and of those who had, only 30% (n=6) were still receiving support. A full 25% (n=5) of participants indicated they had never received assistance of any kind from DCF, governmental agencies, or nonprofit organizations. While the initial survey provided valuable insights into demographics, support access, caregiver well-being, and service utilization, its findings were limited by the small sample size and the nature of quantitative data. Future phases of this research will include qualitative interviews to gain deeper insights into the lived experiences of this population.

Conclusions and Implications
Preliminary data suggest that older adult caregivers tend to receive limited formal support, even when facing chronic health conditions. As kinship care continues to expand as a preferred child welfare placement, these findings underscore the importance of designing policies and interventions that recognize the compounded stressors older caregivers face. Improved access to targeted services, including healthcare, respite care, and financial assistance, can help ensure these caregivers are adequately supported by maintaining stable, nurturing homes for the children in their care. Ongoing community partnerships and expanded outreach will be essential to capturing a fuller picture of this population’s needs.