Issues of active ageing: perceptions of older people with lifelong intellectual disability.
OBJECTIVE
The study aimed to investigate the lived experiences of older people with lifelong intellectual disability and to explore the meaning of active ageing for this group.


METHODS
Data were collected using semistructured interviews with 16 service users (people with lifelong intellectual disability aged 50+ years); 16 service providers and 16 key informal network members from regional/rural and urban areas in Queensland and Victoria.


RESULTS
Themes identified: being empowered, being actively involved, having a sense of security, maintaining skills and learning, having congenial living arrangements, having optimal health and fitness, being safe and feeling safe and having satisfying relationships and support.


CONCLUSIONS
Service users wanted to 'keep on keeping-on' in areas of life that gave them pleasure rather than discontinuing them because of age. They wanted more control over issues affecting their lives and to be given meaningful roles. Mental stimulation, companionship, reliable support and safety were valued by this group.
Buys
Laurie
L
Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. l.buys@qut.edu.au
Boulton-Lewis
Gillian
G
Tedman-Jones
Jan
J
Edwards
Helen
H
Knox
Marie
M
Bigby
Christine
C
D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology / Q000523:psychology*; D001294:Attitude to Health; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D015577:Geriatric Assessment; D006299:Health Services for the Aged / Q000592:standards / Q000639:trends; D006707:Homes for the Aged / Q000592:standards / Q000639:trends; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D016743:Mental Competency / Q000523:psychology; D008875:Middle Aged; D009735:Nursing Homes / Q000592:standards / Q000639:trends; D019989:Persons with Intellectual Disabilities / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011788:Quality of Life; D011793:Queensland; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012737:Sex Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014739:Victoria