Using Human-Centered Design Leadership to Improve Care of Older Adults With Disabilities

As the population of individuals with disabilities is rapidly aging, organizations face new challenges in person-centered care, especially in residential facilities where their caregivers are not family members but individuals with diverse cultural backgrounds and limited understanding of American culture. There are many organizations which offer a range of services to individuals with disabilities, including community-based residential settings where caregivers work with adults to increase independence in daily living skill development, behavior management, personal care, medication administration, and other services and activities. Complications arise when caregivers lack the knowledge, training, cultural understanding, and communication skills necessary to provide quality care. Much more skill acquisition is needed than the minimal State-required 40-hour orientation and training. This article outlines the leadership needs for specific studies that use human-centered designs to develop new trainings and work processes that are tailor-made to suit needs of caregivers and individuals for whom they care. Additionally, it discusses the need for studies that could lead to practice and policy changes needed based upon results of research to determine the levels of knowledge diverse caregivers, serving adults with disabilities, have regarding activities of daily living and the aging process.