Ambivalence among staff regarding ageing with intellectual disabilities: Experiences and reflections. (June 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Alftberg, Åsa; Johansson, Maria; Ahlström, Gerd
• Is Part Of: Journal of intellectual disabilities. Volume 25:Number 2(2021)
• Page Start: 192
• Page End: 209
• Publication Date: 2021-06
• Subjects: age coding -- intellectual disability service -- learning disability -- mental retardation -- old age -- person-centred care -- professional perspective; Mental retardation -- Periodicals; People with mental disabilities -- Periodicals; Learning disabilities -- Periodicals; Handicap intellectuel; Trouble d'apprentissage; Handicapé mental; Périodique électronique (Descripteur de forme); Ressource Internet (Descripteur de forme); 362.1968588
• DOI: 10.1177/1744629519874997
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1744-6295

Abstract

This study explores the experiences and reflections of staff in intellectual disability (ID) services concerning ageing with ID. Qualitative interviews were conducted with 24 staff members in group homes and daily activity centres. The findings showed that the staff were uncertain about the signs of ageing in people with intellectual disabilities; they compared the life conditions of these people with conditions in older people without intellectual disabilities. Their emphasis on an active lifestyle was very strong. The staff members also mentioned uncertainty about how to facilitate assistive devices and whether 'ageing in place' was the best solution. The overall theme was manifested as ambivalence where notions of older people with intellectual disabilities seemed incompatible with notions of old age in general and could be explained by the theoretical concept of age coding. The findings of this study indicate the need to provide education about ageing to staff working in ID services.