The Meaning of Ageing and the Educational Intervention "Good Life in Old Age": An Ethnographic Study Reflecting the Perspective of Older Adults with Mild Intellectual Disability.

Abstract

Older adults with intellectual disabilities are not adequately prepared for ageing and show anxiety and uncertainty regarding the future. Therefore, the two-year educational intervention "Good Life in Old Age" was implemented to improve their understanding of ageing and enhance their well-being. This study aimed to explore the meaning of ageing during and after the intervention from the perspective of older adults with mild intellectual disability. The ethnographic design included participant observations, field notes, group interviews, and individual follow-up interviews with 20 adults aged 44-75 (mean 63.2) with intellectual disabilities. The main findings are expressed in four themes; Awareness of ageing with intellectual disabilities, Strengthened as a person through empowering community, Awareness of vulnerability as an older adult, and The educational intervention as a resource to manage vulnerability. The education programme created a social network for healthy ageing with an atmosphere of mutual support fostering greater mental strength and self-confidence. Individual retirement plans should be created to foster socialisation, involving adapted activities and conversations about bereavement and death. There is a need to disseminate and continue developing promising education programmes for older adults with intellectual disabilities to reduce their anxiety about retirement and loneliness and facilitate healthy ageing.