A Long Life With a Particular Signature: Life Course and Aging for People With Disabilities

Grassman, Eva Jeppsson; Holme, Lotta; Larsson, Annika Taghizadeh; Whitaker, Anna

doi:10.1080/01634372.2011.633975

Cited by 25 publications

(23 citation statements)

References 16 publications

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“…Some studies of those ageing with a range of impairments are emerging, and these have identified shared experiences amongst this population: ongoing life changes, related to both impairment and ageing, and a consequent need for adaptation; the effects of ageing being experienced as a ‘second disability’; and anxiety related to maintaining independence (Gilson and Netting 1997; Jeppsson Grassman et al 2012; Zarb and Oliver 1993). These experiences are evident in the literature relating to those ageing with deafblindness, as illustrated above, and may be considered features of what Putnam (2012: 92) describes as the ‘uniqueness to ageing with disability’.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Ageing with a unique impairment: a systematically conducted review of older deafblind people's experiences

Simcock

2016

Ageing and Society

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Little is known about the experiences of people ageing with impairments; social gerontology has largely focused on those ageing into disability rather than those ageing with disability. This paper synthesises existing knowledge to determine what is known about the experiences of those ageing with deafblindness. A comprehensive literature search was undertaken between April 2013 and May 2014. The review method was informed by systematic review principles. A total of 24 references were identified for inclusion. No studies examining deafblind people's experience of ageing and old age specifically were found, suggesting that those ageing with deafblindness are an under-studied sub-group within the deafblind population. However, deafblind people describe ageing experiences in studies exploring their lives generally, and in personal accounts of living with the impairment. Practitioner-authored material also explores the topic. Similarities in experience were identified between those ageing with deafblindness and those ageing with other impairments: ongoing change and consequent need for adaptation; a particular relationship between ageing and impairment; a sense that whilst one can learn adaptive strategies having lived with impairment for many years, it does not necessarily get easier; and a particular relationship with care and support services. These experiences illustrate the unique nature of ageing with impairment, and challenge gerontologists to engage in further research and theorising in the field of disability in later life.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Ageing with a unique impairment: a systematically conducted review of older deafblind people's experiences

Simcock

2016

Ageing and Society

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“…In this process, they contested and reinvented discourses about what ageing, disability and many other issues, such as social justice and intergenerational relationships, meant to them (Minkler & Holstein, ). Together, they demonstrated how they have long managed to handle significant impairments and mastered effective coping strategies, showing that participation and autonomy are possible even for people who have extensive support needs (Jeppsson Grassman et al, ). A focus only on independent locations of ageing or disability, however, as suggested in current discourses and practices, would seem to marginalise the complex aspects of their experiences and identities.…”

Section: Discussion/conclusionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Both social gerontology and disability studies tend to overlook the experience of ageing with disabilities (Kennedy & Minkler, ; Priestley & Rabiee, ) . Although lifelong disability is considered to affect the life course and is a central determinant of support needs and experiences in old age (Bigby, ; Jeppsson Grassman, Holme, Taghizadeh Larsson & Whitaker, ; Zarb, ), the situations, representations and needs of this group remain largely underexplored (Bigby, ).…”

Section: Literature Reviewmentioning

confidence: 99%

Community Participation of Older Adults with Disabilities

Raymond

Grenier

Hanley

2014

Community & Applied Soc Psy

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Contemporary discourses on ageing promote active participation as an ideal framework from which to encourage and support older people's health, independence and life satisfaction. But is such a vision of participation meaningful and/or accessible to all older adults? This paper explores how people ageing with disabilities understand the notion of social participation, juxtaposing their accounts with key trends found in ageing policy. Insights from individual interviews and a collective writing project conducted with older adults in Quebec who were living with lifelong disabilities (mobility, vision or hearing) reveal the tensions that exist between policy guidelines and participant narratives. Results highlight three crucial conditions with regard to the community participation of people ageing with disabilities: self-determination, creating an inclusive environment and identity integration. Together, these themes reveal that ageing policies on participation should be revisited in order to improve opportunities for meaningful involvement. Our discussion suggests the need to widen the definition of participation so that it can be used to validate a variety of life options, guarantee structural and cultural access to participative settings and offer social spaces capable of supporting evolving identities, lived experiences and the collective circumstances of ageing with disabilities.

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“…The findings from this study illustrate the need for people to have the opportunity to make choices about their future (Walmsley, 1996), which includes having the necessary supports to be meaningfully engaged in planning and decision-making, as well as learning the skills necessary to be present and participate in the community (Buys et al , 2008). As autonomy is a dynamic process, corresponding perspectives and supports need to be reviewed frequently as access to information and/or acquired experiences shape preferences over time (Jeppsson Grassman et al , 2012).…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Perceptions of ageing and future aspirations by people with intellectual disability: a grounded theory study using photo-elicitation

2018

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Internationally, 1 per cent of the general population are living with an intellectual disability and life expectancy is increasing in line with global trends. The majority of people with an intellectual disability live with family. This represents a growing and largely ‘hidden’ population who have, or will have, additional needs as they and their family age. There is limited research about what is important for people with intellectual disability when thinking about getting older. This article reports on a study which explored the concept of ageing and future aspirations with 19 people living with an intellectual disability, aged 37–58 years of age (mean 48 years) and living with someone they identify as family. Using Charmaz's constructivist grounded theory approach and photo-elicitation, constant comparative analysis generated four themes: reciprocating relationships, emerging (in)dependence, configuring ageing and entertaining possibilities. As part of the interview process, photo-elicitation facilitated the expression of associations and perspectives about ageing and conceptualising the future for participants. The findings demonstrate the engagement of people with intellectual disabilities in research and provided unique insights into both their experiences and perspectives on ageing in the context of family. The need for greater flexibility in service planning and delivery are identified, alongside ensuring the meaningful inclusion of people with intellectual disability in decision-making about their own lives as they age.

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A Long Life With a Particular Signature: Life Course and Aging for People With Disabilities

Cited by 25 publications

References 16 publications

Ageing with a unique impairment: a systematically conducted review of older deafblind people's experiences

Ageing with a unique impairment: a systematically conducted review of older deafblind people's experiences

Community Participation of Older Adults with Disabilities

Perceptions of ageing and future aspirations by people with intellectual disability: a grounded theory study using photo-elicitation

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