Promoting Health and

Wellness in the
Caretakers of DD

Michael Wells, BS
Research Coordinator DD-PBRN

Beth Marks, RN, PhD

Avid researcher in empowerment and
advancement of persons with DD
Authored:
Health Matters: The Exercise and Nutrition
Health Education Curriculum for People with
Developmental Disabilities
Health Matters for People with Developmental
Disabilities: Creating a Sustainable Health
Promotion Program

Sustainable Health Promotion:

Translating Knowledge Through Interactive Distance Learnin

Dual-phase study
Education and Assessment with online
modules (Healthy Matters Organization
Assessments)
Train-the-Trainer Program

Promoting Health & Wellness

A number of studies have looked into health
promotion in the DD population
Marks looked into incorporating health promotion
in DD care staff (Train-the-Trainer)
Concept is to train caretakers who then will train
DD individuals incorporating collective efficacy
Implementing a psychological component into
health and wellness promotion in the DD
population

Train-the-Trainer

Stress and burnout are common among DD

caregivers
These are linked to poor health, unhealthy
lifestyle, quality of life and other things
Health and wellness among caregivers has
an effect on the individuals they care for

Train-the-Trainer

By the numbers:
64% have a BMI > 25
32% are currently smokers
Around 50% have a college degree

Train-the-Trainer

Training the Caretakers:

6-8 hours on-site instruction (n = 32)
Training given to staff immediately before
staff begin 12-week instruction program for
adults with DD
Start, Teach and Support adults with IDD in
skills and strategies in wellness
6 hours/week instruction to DD

Train-the-Trainer

Train-the-Trainer

Outcome measure:
Control group significantly reported higher
vitality, energy and less fatigue (p = .036)
Control group significantly reported greater
exercise outcome expectations (p = .002)
Control group reported less pain (p = .072)
**Although not significant, could have
been with a greater sample size

Train-the-Trainer

Outcomes
Improved psychosocial health status and
cognitions
Staff can have a positive effect in health and
wellness promotion among IDD
Increased social-environmental support for
nutrition
Increased intake of fruits and vegetables

Train-the-Trainer

Discussion

IDD health promotion is behind the general

population by great lengths

How can we improve?

What are short term possibilities?
What are long term ideas?
Is the key to promote wellness in the
caretakers?

References
Marks B, Sisirak J. (2010). Sustainable Health Promotion: Translating
Knowledge Through Interactive Distance Learning. University of Illinois at
Chicago.
Marks B, Sisirak J, Heller T, Riley B. (2007). Impact of a Train-the-Trainer
Program on the Psychosocial Health Status of Staff Supporting Adults with
Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities. American Public Health
Association.