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.

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).…”

Mental health, challenging behaviour, diagnosis, and access to employment for people with intellectual disabilities in Norway

“…Furthermore, many sheltered workplaces have requirements for production that may intensify competition for employment. People with moderate and severe levels of intellectual disability may not be able to compete with people whose diagnoses involve a potentially higher capacity for production (Engeland & Langballe, 2017). Such discrimination within different functioning levels of intellectual disability demonstrates an unequal access to the sheltered employment opportunities that were meant to be inclusive.…”

“…People with intellectual disabilities receiving disability benefits more often receive individual facilitation in sheltered workshops via the state support measure called permanently adapted employment (In Norwegian: Varig Tilrettelagt Arbeid, VTA). About 20% of people with intellectual disabilities between the ages of 20 and 69 work in VTA (Engeland & Langballe, 2017; Wendelborg et al, 2017). Such facilitated employment measures are managed as public or public–private partnerships.…”