Choice and control for people ageing with intellectual disability in group homes

Abstract

Background Many people ageing with intellectual disabilities (ID) age in place in group homes. Participation is a central concept in support and service to people with ID, but age is often a determining factor for participation among this group. Choice and control are dimensions of participation. Aim The aim of this article is to explore how choice and control in the everyday life of people ageing with ID is expressed and performed in the group home’s semi-private spaces. Material and methods Participant observations and interviews with residents and staff were conducted in four different group homes in Sweden that had older residents. Results Four categories were found that can be understood as aspects of choice and control in the group home’s semi-private spaces in the everyday life of people ageing with ID. These categories included aspects such as space and object, time and routines, privacy, and a person-centred approach. Conclusion and significance People ageing with ID are vulnerable when it comes to maintaining choice and control in various situations in the home’s semi-private spaces. It is argued that occupational therapists should include this occupational arena in their evaluations and interventions for people ageing with ID.

KEYWORDS:

• Autonomy
• decision-making
• developmental disabilities
• empowerment
• group accommodation
• later life
• older adults
• participation
• occupational justice

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to express their gratitude to Professor Joy Hammel, Department of Occupational Therapy, University of Illinois at Chicago, USA, for her constructive and supportive comments during the writing of this article.

Disclosure statement

The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.