Understanding Death: Inclusive Insights From Individuals With Intellectual Disabilities

Abstract

Background

The perception and experience of death with respect to individuals with intellectual disability are almost unexplored in the Polish context. We aimed to understand how these persons conceptualise death, understand their experiences associated with it, and the meanings they ascribe to it.

Method

The study was designed and conducted with co-researchers with intellectual disabilities. Thirty-four participants with intellectual disabilities were interviewed.

Findings

The diverse meanings, emotions, feelings and activities associated with death were encapsulated in four main themes: meanings ascribed to death, experiencing death, celebrating death and anticipating one's own death and that of significant others.

Conclusions

The study underscores the significance of death in the experiences of individuals with intellectual disabilities in the context of religious experiences and the importance of inclusive practices that recognise their needs and rights to grieve while also pointing to the need for proactive planning to better prepare them for life's inevitable losses.