Comparison of the Living Conditions of Adults with Intellectual Disabilities in a Swedish County and in the General Population

Abstract

This study describes the living conditions of adults with intellectual disabilities (ID) as compared to the general population. People with ID born in Uppsala County between 1959 and 1974 constituted the study population (n = 213). Proxy questionnaire reports and national welfare statistics were used to collect data. The results demonstrated differences in living conditions between the two groups, particularly regarding employment and social life. Whereas people in general had paid employment, most people with ID were provided supported daily activities and their main income source was a disability benefit from the social insurance system. Typically, people with ID lived in a more restricted social environment and had more limited social life than the general population. The social network of people with ID was mainly bulit on family ties (parents and siblings); caregiver-care receiver relations and included few chosen friends (with or without disability). The authors suggest that the way in which help and support is provided by professionals using the special and generic help systems may actually prevent or restrain individuals with ID from influencing their own life course.

Social aspects of eating events among people with intellectual disability in community living

“…The participants in the present study, however, were limited in making such choices because they were socially incorporated into a group that had been determined by the organisation. Moreover, it has been established in Sweden that people with ID are more likely to be alone than are people without disability (Umb-Carlsson & Sonnander, 2005). Similar problems are found in the care of older people, where the balance between individual support and collective solutions within the social organisations of care for older adults is evident (Mattsson Sydner & Fjellströ m, 2007).…”

The prerequisites for QoL of people with intellectual disabilities

“…They are still a group in society with limited influence on their own life situation (Wehmeyer, Bersani, and Gagne 2000). Furthermore, previous research indicates that, although living in the society like other citizens, people with intellectual disabilities in Sweden have worse living conditions than the population on the whole (Umb-Carlsson and Sonnander 2005). Thus, it may be argued that descriptions of quality of life need to be adapted to the atypical life circumstances of many people with intellectual disabilities (c.f.…”

Enhancing Personal Outcomes: Organizational Strategies, Guidelines, and Examples

“…The emphasis on personal outcomes and performance indicators represents a change from professionally dictated, programmatic models of oversight to a more democratic approach to quality that places the experience of the individual at the center of the analysis. A primary purpose of the analysis is to determine the discrepancy between personal outcomes and community‐based social indicators (Cummins, Baxter, Colquhoun, & Monteath, 1996; Diener & Suh, 1997; Emerson, 2005; Matikka, 2000; Murrell & Norris, 1983; Schalock & Jensen, 1986; Schneider, 1976; Umb‐Carlsson & Sonnander, 2005). As discussed later, one of the primary purposes of QI is to reduce this discrepancy.…”