Self-reported needs among older persons with intellectual disabilities in an Irish community-based service

Abstract

Current research indicates that older persons with intellectual disabilities (ID) are a growing population with very specific needs. There are few existing studies that identify and characterise these needs. This study aimed to assess the health and social care needs of a group of older persons with ID in a community-based service in Ireland. The Camberwell Assessment of Need for Adults with Intellectual Disabilities-Short form (CANDID-S) was used to identify the health and social needs of 75 older persons with ID in a community-based service who were over the age of 50. The mean age of the sample was 57.6 years ( SD = 5.4, range 50–72) and 37.3% had mild ID, 46.7% had moderate ID and 16% had severe or profound ID. The most common ‘unmet needs’ reported were basic education and money budgeting (the ability to independently manage one's own finances). The top-rated ‘met needs’ were food and daytime activities. Participants with severe or profound ID reported significantly more ‘unmet needs’ than those with mild or moderate ID. The current study identified education and financial skills as unmet needs for older persons with ID, implying that continuing lifelong learning programmes might be a valuable and appropriate addition to service provision and retirement options. Further research should be carried out to inform a comprehensive evidence base of the health and social care needs of this group.