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

Abstract

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.