Edinburgh Napier University

  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.