Aging with Disabilities is the ninth episode in our PCS Caregiving podcast series where we discuss a variety of family caregiver issues and how helping professionals can better serve military families as they PCS from their role as a spouse, friend, partner, or loved one to a caregiver.
What does aging with a disability look like for many individuals? When we think about disability and aging, we most often assume a type of change associated with growing older. But what about the individual who is aging, who also has a disability? For example, think about someone who may have an intellectual or developmental disability. In this episode, Andrew Crocker, Senior Extension Program Specialist in Gerontology and Health at Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service, will briefly review aging and disability as dynamic processes, reconciling models for aging and disabilities, balancing gains and losses throughout the lifespan, and highlighting similarities and differences in the aging experience.
Andrew Crocker, M.S. is an Extension Program Specialist in Gerontology and Health at Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service. His focus is to support education and outreach regarding the health and well-being of the aging population in the State of Texas. Andy’s main role is to support the County Extension Agents for Family and Community Health (FCH) in their outreach efforts to older adults, caregivers, and professionals who serve them. He is part of a national OneOp (MFLN) team of faculty from land-grant universities to provide professional development opportunities to military-helping professionals.
Rachel Brauner, M.Ag., is an Extension Program Specialist in Military Programs at Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service. Her focus is to enhance educational programming for military caregivers through OneOp (MFLN) initiative. Rachel works closely with military professionals across the nation in assessing caregiver needs and providing the necessary education and resources to alleviate the stress that comes with caring for individuals with special needs or wounded service members. Rachel is also responsible for providing prevention education for the Joint Base Substance Abuse Program at Joint Base San Antonio – Fort Sam Houston, Texas.
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