The Crisis Facing Older People Living with Neurodiversity and Their Aging Family Carers: A Social Work Perspective

Abstract

This commentary addresses barriers to care among older adults living with neurodiversity (ND), and their aging family carers in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic in Canada. Factors contributing to inequities are described and the significant negative consequences of current policy decisions on the social and mental health of older adults with ND and their aging family carers are highlighted. The commentary calls for a collective social work response that highlights the critical role of support and advocacy necessary to redress social exclusion.

Time to be counted: COVID-19 and intellectual and developmental disabilities—an RSC Policy Briefing

“…The benefits of leisure and community participation on health and well-being are thus even more profound in this period of the pandemic (Anaby et al 2021). Despite these benefits, social inclusion for people with IDD is limited by mandated public health restrictions that prioritize health and basic needs over leisure activities and limitations on social interactions that can increase loneliness and social isolation (Constantino et al 2020;Brotman et al 2021;Navas et al 2021).…”

“…The impact of public health measures on social inclusion is further exacerbated by restrictions in visits by home-based respite, health, and social service providers, which are often critical to a person's active involvement in home and community-based leisure activities (Chanchlani et al 2020;Constantino et al 2020;Brotman et al 2021). As a result, anxiety, sleep difficulties, and depression-already common in people with IDD-are heightened, and caregiver stress is also elevated, as they are expected to juggle multiple roles including promoting community-based activities for their family members in these difficult times (see "Access to Non-COVID-19 Related Health Care Services" and "Caregiver Support" sections for further description of these mental health impacts).…”

The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on occupational performance among people with disabilities and strategies for bouncing back: A rapid scoping review

“…Some health services were curtailed or suspended (Qi & Hu, 2020;Costa et al, 2021;Samboma, 2021). Shortages and redeployment of staff that provide health and social care also impacted the availability and quality of care, especially when staff had to go into isolation or take sickness leave (Brotman et al, 2021;Comos-Herrera et al, 2020[Q7]).…”

“…Studies show that low numbers accessed rehabilitation services during lockdown for example 22% maintained medical care, 48% and 27% continued physiotherapy and occupational therapy respectively (Canning & Robinson, 2021;Brotman et al, 2021;Paulauskaite et al, 2021). Some people with disabilities decreased their health seeking behaviours as they did not want to engage with services as they felt services were less supportive to people with disabilities.…”

Increasing multidisciplinary professionals' capacity to support neurodiverse families

“…Overall, professionals need to recognize that neurodivergent people experience higher levels of discrimination (Brotman et al, 2021), social exclusion (Brotman et al, 2021), suicidal ideation (Kõlves et al, 2021), co‐occurring neurodevelopmental disorders (Mosner et al, 2019), mental and physical illness (Quadt et al, 2020), and poverty/unemployment (Anderson et al, 2020; Saleh et al, 2022) than neurotypical people. People who are neurodivergent often have social challenges and struggle with co‐occurring conditions that can negatively impact their quality of life (Robertson, 2009).…”