An Ageing Intellectual Disability Population: Exploring How Intellectual Disability Agencies Are Supporting Healthy Ageing

Spassiani, N.; Meisner, B.; Heller, T.; Hammel, J.

Abstract

Introduction: Providing support for people with intellectual disabilities (ID) to remain in the community as they age is a relatively new concept for ID agencies. The purpose of this study was to explore how ID agencies are engaging people with ID living in group homes to participate in community-based health initiatives as they age.
Methods: A total of 19 participants were interviewed from two non-profit ID agencies located in Chicago, Illinois. The semi-structured interviews were conducted with participants, 6 with management and 13 with direct support staff (DSS). Two interview guides were created to: 1) gain a broader systematic perspective from management, and 2) gain a “front line” DSS perspective.
Results: Three themes emerged from the data; ageing awareness, ageing perceptions, and determinants of ageing. Ageing was predominately viewed as a negative experience, and participants did not feel comfortable to engage people ageing with ID in health initiatives due to lack of knowledge and training.
Implications: It is unclear how to best support people with ID as they age, however, organisations will have to re-address the way they provide community-based health initiatives for this group. It is vitally important that ID agencies be proactive in adapting polices, services, and procedures to effectively support healthy ageing for people with ID.

Citation

Spassiani, N., Meisner, B., Heller, T., & Hammel, J. An Ageing Intellectual Disability Population: Exploring How Intellectual Disability Agencies Are Supporting Healthy Ageing. Presented at The World Congress of the International Association for the Scientif ic Study of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IASSIDD) 2019, Glasgow, UK

• Presentation Conference Type: Conference Abstract
• Conference Name: The World Congress of the International Association for the Scientif ic Study of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IASSIDD) 2019
• Online Publication Date: Jun 27, 2019
• Publication Date: 2019-07
• Deposit Date: Apr 18, 2024
• Print ISSN: 0964-2633
• Electronic ISSN: 1365-2788
• Publisher: Wiley
• Volume: 63
• Issue: 7
• Pages: 650
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/jir.12651
• Keywords: Community, Health, Participation, Group homes
• Public URL: http://researchrepository.napier.ac.uk/Output/3596308