A national cohort study of spiritual and religious practices of older people with intellectual disability.

Spirituality and spiritual support for older people with intellectual disability are deemed important, however little is known about their specific needs. This paper reports for the first time on the religious and spiritual practices of older adults with intellectual disability. A national longitudinal study examined the prevalence of spiritual practices among older people with intellectual disability in the Republic of Ireland.

Recruitment and retention in longitudinal studies of people with intellectual disability: A case study of the Intellectual Disability Supplement to the Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing (IDS-TILDA).

Background: Longitudinal study of people with intellectual disability and other difficult to reach populations requires specific recruitment and retention strategies to be successful.

Aims: This paper provides a case study of participant recruitment and retention for a longitudinal study of ageing among older adults with intellectual disability in Ireland.

Methods And Procedures: Development and implementation of strategies to recruit and retain participants with intellectual disability aged 40+ years, for a longitudinal study comprising four data collection waves over more than a decade, are reported.

The impact of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) on older adults with an intellectual disability during the first wave of the pandemic in Ireland.

People with intellectual disability have increased risk of exposure to and adverse outcomes from coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).They also face challenges to mental health and well-being from COVID-19-related social restrictions and service closures. Data from a supplemental COVID-19 survey from the Intellectual Disability Supplement to the Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing (IDS-TILDA) (n=710) was used to assess outcomes from the first infection wave of COVID-19 among adults with intellectual disability aged 40+ years in Ireland.

The impact of COVID-19 on people ageing with an intellectual disability in Ireland: Protocol for a follow-up survey.

:  The COVID-19 pandemic and associated lockdowns have had a dramatic impact on many people, but individuals with an intellectual disability, given the prevalence of congregate living and high levels of co-morbid conditions, may be particularly vulnerable at this time. A prior initial survey of participants of the Intellectual Disability Supplement to the Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing (IDS-TILDA) found that, despite a majority of participants being tested, only a small proportion had tested positive for COVID-19. Furthermore, despite some reporting positive aspects to the lockdown, a similar proportion were experiencing stress or anxiety during the pandemic.

The potential for person-centred planning to support the community participation of adults with an intellectual disability.

Person-centred planning (PCP) puts individuals with an intellectual disability at the centre of service and support planning, identifying how individuals wish to live their lives and what is needed to make that possible. PCP has been identified as having the potential to facilitate improved social inclusion and community participation. A mixed-methods approach combined quantitative analyses with qualitative case studies of individuals with severe-profound intellectual disability to assess the impact of PCP on community participation for adults with an intellectual disability at a disability service in Dublin.

The nature and quality of friendship for older adults with an intellectual disability in Ireland.

Background: Friendship is important to quality of life, yet people with intellectual disability have more restricted social networks and fewer friends outside family and support staff.

Method: Data from a nationally representative longitudinal study of older adults with intellectual disability (aged >40) examined rates and types of friends. Factors associated with having a best friend and friendship quality were explored.

Approaches to and outcomes of future planning for family carers of adults with an intellectual disability: A systematic review.

Background: People with intellectual disabilities are living longer, with family homes and family caregivers increasingly identified as a key support to this ageing population of people with intellectual disabilities.

Method: This systematic review sets out existing evidence from empirically evaluated intervention studies of future care planning for adults with intellectual disability by family carers.

Results: This systematic review identified a scarcity of systematic approaches to future care planning for adults with intellectual disabilities and their family carers.

In pursuit of meaningful occupation: Employment and occupational outcomes for older Irish adults with an intellectual disability.

Background: Adults with an intellectual disability (ID) have much lower rates of employment than their counterparts without intellectual disability, which increases their risk of poverty and social exclusion. Differential treatment of people with intellectual disability in welfare and training policies suggests an expectation they will be passive welfare recipients rather than productive employees.

Methods: This paper aims to examine occupational activities by older people with intellectual disability in Ireland, exploring factors influencing outcomes using data from the IDS-TILDA study (n = 708).

Longitudinal use and factors associated with public transport and other travel options for older people with an intellectual disability in Ireland.

Background: Transport is an important basis for social participation. Challenges to accessing and using transport for people with intellectual disabilities increase their risk of exclusion and loneliness.

Method: Data from a nationally representative study of older people with intellectual disabilities (n = 708) were used to examine longitudinal changes in transport usage and factors associated with using public transport and other travel options.

Balancing personal wishes and caring capacity in future planning for adults with an intellectual disability living with family carers.

Most people with intellectual disabilities (IDs) live at home with family, and most carers and care recipients wish to continue this arrangement. However, despite worry about what will happen when carers are unable to continue caring, most families do not plan for the future. The (FCRM) pilot study sought to enhance future care planning for families of adults with ID.

Interpersonal relationships of older adults with an intellectual disability in Ireland.

Background: People with intellectual disability tend to have smaller social networks than other groups, with even those living in community-based residences comparatively worse off.

Materials And Methods: Analysis of data from the Intellectual Disability Supplement to The Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing (IDS-TILDA) (n = 701) examined measures of interpersonal relationships and interactions. Predictors of family contact and having non-resident friends were also explored.

Social Connections for Older People with Intellectual Disability in Ireland: Results from Wave One of IDS-TILDA.

Background: The literature on influences of community versus congregated settings raises questions about how social inclusion can be optimised for people with intellectual disability. This study examines social contacts for older people with intellectual disability in Ireland, examining differences in social connection for adults with intellectual disability and other adults.

Materials & Methods: Data were drawn from the IDS-TILDA study in Ireland.