Abstract
Background: Adults with intellectual disabilities are living longer and experiencing retirement. However, research about retirement experiences is limited. Method: This qualitative study used semi-structured interviews with 10 retired/retiring U.S. adults with intellectual disabilities and an ally of their choice. Results: Participants described factors that pushed or pulled them into retirement, such as health issues or wanting to spend more time with family. Individuals in community work settings described greater self-determination in their decision to retire. Regardless of reasons for retiring, all participants described initial difficulties with adjusting to retirement but over time people's situation, including their mental and physical health, reportedly improved. Conclusion: Retirement is a significant life transition. More attention is needed about planning and developing age-appropriate and person-cantered inclusive retirement options for older adults with intellectual disabilities, similar to the transition into adulthood and work life.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 547-557 |
| Number of pages | 11 |
| Journal | Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities |
| Volume | 36 |
| Issue number | 3 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - May 2023 |
Bibliographical note
Funding Information:This publication is supported by Cooperative Agreement # 90RTCP0003‐01‐00 from the National Institute on Disability Independent Living and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR) within the Administration for Community Living (ACL), Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), which was awarded to the Research and Training Canter on Community Living (RTC‐CL) at the University of Minnesota.
Publisher Copyright:
© 2023 The Authors. Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
Keywords
- aging
- intellectual and developmental disabilities
- retirement
PubMed: MeSH publication types
- Journal Article