Ageing at Home - Sustaining Supportive Networks

Overview:

• Introduces and defines ‘Intellectual Disability’
• Discusses the impact of intellectual disability on the person and carer
• How to recognise ageing people with intellectual disabilities
• List of characteristics of ageing people with intellectual disabilities
• Provides varying opinions on the likelihood of maintaining community living while still having intellectual disabilities
• Varying vignettes which demonstrate the successes and pitfalls of maintaining community living

Description:

People with intellectual disability are a diverse group who embark on the ageing process from many different starting points in terms of residence, employment history, family constellations and health status. This chapter gives insights into the impact of intellectual disability and discusses the probability of ageing people with intellectual disabilities still maintaining community living, with varying vignettes to add further explanation.

Topics:

• Introduction
• The impact of intellectual disability
• Characteristics of ageing people with an intellectual disability
• Maintaining community living
• References

Speaker / Author:

Christine Bigby

Bachelor of Arts (Honours), Master of Social Work, Doctor of Philosophy Senior Lecturer in the Department of Social Work and Social Policy, LaTrobe University, Bundoora.

Dr Christine Bigby works in the Department of Social Work and Social Policy at the Bundoora Campus of LaTrobe University. She has extensive experience as a social work practitioner in both direct service and policy development. Her primary research and practice interest for the last 10 years has been older carers and ageing people with intellectual disability. Her doctoral research examined the informal and formal sources of support for middle-aged and older people with intellectual disability and the nature of their transition from parental care in mid-life. Chris has sound links to policy and practice in the field of intellectual disability and a track record of research and consultancy projects. She has published widely in key disability journals both in Australia and overseas. Chris is president of the Victorian Branch of the Association for the Study of Intellectual Disability. She won the Association’s National Research Award in 1993.

Professional Reviews: