Multilevel Governance and the Implementation of Inclusion Policy for Older Adults With Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities in Canada

Abstract The number of older adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) in the U.S. is expected to double and potentially triple by 2030. Despite this demographic urgency, there continues to be a lack of research directly addressing aging of people with IDD. Individuals with IDD have on average twice as many health problems than others without IDD, experience earlier age-related declines in health and function than the general population and are more likely to develop secondary conditions as they age. The increase in the number of people aging with IDD and the challenges experienced by this population have demanded new directions for research, practice and policy that promote social justice and improve this population’s health and well-being. This symposium brings together research that critically examines and calls for a “new normal” of supports for healthy aging provided to the population aging with IDD. The first presentation consists of a systematic review of healthy aging interventions for adults with IDD. The authors conclude that such interventions for adults with IDD remain scarce, incipient and sporadic. The second presentation critically reviews an interprofessional education model aimed to address the complex and unique needs of older adults with IDD and dementia. The authors provide recommendations for the future development of interprofessional education in this field. In the third and final presentation the authors offer further transformation toward a new normal as they outline future directions for research on aging with IDD that is informed by positive psychology and disability studies theory.

Download Full-text

Efficacy of Healthy Aging Interventions for Adults With Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities: A Systematic Review

The Gerontologist ◽

10.1093/geront/gnaa192 ◽

2020 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Flavia H Santos ◽

Johanna Zurek ◽

Matthew P Janicki

Keyword(s):

Systematic Review ◽

Older Adults ◽

Health Promotion ◽

Developmental Disabilities ◽

Social Inclusion ◽

Healthy Aging ◽

Small Sample ◽

Intellectual And Developmental Disabilities ◽

Intrinsic Factors ◽

The Impact

Abstract Background and Objectives There is a lack of information on intervention strategies employed for health promotion and disease prevention for older adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), who usually experience poorer health compared to their peers without IDD. We carried out the first systematic review to scrutinize the impact of intrinsic factors (e.g., cognitive, mental, and physical health, etc.), on health status of older adults with IDD. Research Design and Methods To assess the efficacy of such interventions, we examined 23 articles including prospective ‘healthy aging’ interventions designed for adults with IDD. Searches were carried out in the databases Web of Science; Scielo; PsycINFO in April 2020. Articles were organized in thematic areas: (1) Physical activity and health nutrition (n=10); (2) Health education and health screening (n=6); (3) Social inclusion and community participation (n=3); and (4) Multi-components (n=4). Except for five RCT studies, the designs were mainly non-randomized, involving small sample sizes (Nrange = 8 to 379 participants), and lacking follow up. Results The studies included 2,398 men and women with IDD (ranging in age from 18 to 86 years [mean age: 44.3 yrs.]). Overall, intervention outcomes were mostly positive, however some negative outcomes were reported. Discussion and Implications In brief, healthy aging interventions for people with IDD remain scarce, incipient, and sporadic. We recommend that more attention needs to be given to active health promotion with people with IDD as a program practice among organizations and as a focal public policy among governments.

Download Full-text