Change, continuity, and decision-making in the transition to old-age retirement from work and day activity services: qualitative longitudinal follow-up.

PURPOSE: To increase understanding of the transition from work and day activity services to old-age retirement among people with intellectual disabilities. The research questions are as follows: 1) How are change and continuity present in the transitions to old-age retirement of older people with an intellectual disability? 2) What is the role of the person's own decision-making in the transition process?

METHODS

A longitudinal case study approach was used. The main data consist of qualitative interviews from a one-year period with four people with an intellectual disability aged 59-65. Secondary data include photographs taken by the participants and the researcher's field notes. The data were analysed using qualitative content analysis.

RESULTS

The transition from day activity services to retirement appeared to be fluid and unexpected. Only one of the participants retired during the follow-up as planned, because another's retirement was postponed and two others moved back and forth between retirement and work and day activities. The participants had limited decision-making opportunities in the transition process, while staff emphasized supporting continuity.

CONCLUSIONS

Recognition of the non-linear and diverse transition paths and supporting their own decision-making are important for the well-being of older people with intellectual disabilities in later life.