The main signs of ageing in people with intellectual disability

Investigations around ageing with an intellectual disability have increased substantially in the past three decades. A research gap continued to exist regarding the detection of ageing issues in this cohort of people, particularly in rural areas where access to specialist support continued to be limited. The purpose of this study was to identify the main signs of ageing in rural people with intellectual disabilities.

A multi-round Delphi design was used to examine what signs of ageing were observed by disability support staff, who assisted people with intellectual disability.

The project was conducted across nine of the ten rural regions (as defined by the government funding body) in New South Wales (NSW).

There were 31 participants representing 14 non-government organisations. The group was composed of 26 women and 5 men, with a mean age of 47 years, who averaged 10-year experience with people with intellectual disabilities.

The objective was to gain the direct input of rurally based disability workers to identify the main signs of ageing in people with intellectual disabilities.

Thirty-two specific signs of ageing, including emerging mental health issues, grief, loss of identity and aggression, were identified. A thematic analysis indicated two main categories: mental/emotional functioning and physical functioning.

When carers have the information and skills needed to identify the main signs of ageing, they can more accurately recognise and address potential problems in a timely manner. Such understandings have the potential to reduce premature admissions to residential aged-care.