How do People with Intellectual Disabilities in Norway Experience the Transition to Retirement and Life as Retirees?

Abstract

People with intellectual disabilities have increased life expectancy compared to just a few decades ago, and there is a lack of knowledge about the experiences of transition into retirement for this group. In this study, semi-structured in-depth interviews with seven retirees with intellectual disabilities were conducted in order to investigate their reasons for retirement, experiences of the transition, their activities and satisfaction with their lives as retirees. Data was analysed with systematic text condensation.Most participants described that, although they experienced the retirement process and transition as abrupt, retirement had a positive impact on health, satisfaction and self-determination. Findings in this novel study in a Nordic context are need of increased knowledge on ageing and retirement among people with intellectual disabilities, and that individual guidance might improve their transition into retirement.

Transition to Retirement for Older People with Intellectual Disabilities—Staff Descriptions of the Process and Roles

“…Our findings regarding the system-driven script have some commonalities with the findings of studies conducted by Engeland, Kittelsaa, and Langballe (2018), in which people with ID themselves were not involved in deciding the date or manner of their transition to retirement.…”

“…However, life in retirement is not always experienced in negative terms. Old age can also be a time of increasing wellbeing for a person with ID (Buys, Aird & Miller 2012;Dew, Llewellyn & Gorman 2006;Engeland, Kittelsaa & Langballe 2018;Judge et al 2010;Kåhlin, Kjellberg & Hagberg 2015). With appropriate support, a person with ID can discover new interests, learn new skills, adapt to the housing community, and become more independent after retirement (Bigby 2004: 49).…”

Participation in employment and day care for adults with intellectual disabilities: Equal access for all?

“…Research has also indicated that people with intellectual disabilities have challenges in retaining employment and finding new jobs (Holwerda et al, 2013). Nevertheless, meaningful activities still impact the quality of life for older people, including those with intellectual disabilities, and should be pursued (Eakman et al, 2010; Engeland et al, 2018).…”

Editorial Review: Touring the Archive 1999–2017 and Mapping the Future of Scandinavian Journal of Disability Research

“…Articles in the Journal have explored both the different risks associated with disrupted or failed transitions from childhood to adulthood, as well as the problems created by early retirement due to disability (Törnbom et al, 2011). This theme is explored in the new issue by Engeland et al (2018) who look at experiences of transition into retirement among older people with intellectual disabilities.…”