Looking at ageing and retirement options for adults with intellectual disabilities

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Abstract

Aim: The aim of the study was to examine what people with intellectual disabilities (ID) would like to do in their old age/retirement, and family carers’ aspirations for their relative. Method: The study was conducted within one region of the UK (Northern Ireland) and comprised of nine focus groups with adults with ID and eight focus groups with families. Data were analysed using Newell and Burnard’s thematic content analysis Framework (2006).Results: Findings highlighted a number of key areas: being involved in planning for the future, feeling empowered, feeling safe/secure, maintaining knowledge/skills, having meaningful relationships/support, and maintaining good health and well-being. Findings from service users/families revealed similar aspirations for both, although families indicated their worry/stress about planning for the future for their son/daughter with ID and their feelings of frustration/isolation with ID/health services. Conclusion: The findings from this study link with previous work on ageing and ID as well as the WHO Active Ageing Framework (2002). This study allows for recommendations to be made to improve the service provision, as well as establishing what supports need tobe put in place to ensure an effective transition from adult services to one geared to meet the needs of older persons with ID.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)370
JournalJournal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities
Volume27
Issue number4
DOIs
Publication statusPublished (in print/issue) - Jul 2014

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