THE CHALLENGE
In the coming years a generation of people with intellectual disabilities will reach an advanced age. People with intellectual disabilities who are at least 50 years old can reach an age similar to that of the general population. Against the background of the human right to inclusion, which places self-determination and autonomy at the centre of the provision of services, the question of what a good life in old age can look like for people with intellectual disabilities is becoming increasingly urgent. How people with disabilities would like to age cannot be determined by objective criteria, such as the sole consideration of their state of health. Rather, it is the "subjective quality of life" which should be used as a central criterion. Inspired by the Social Department of the State of Tyrol and in cooperation with Lebenshilfe Tirol and argeSODiT, the present project was set up to find out
- where and how people with disabilities prefer to live in old age
- what guidance is needed and who could provide it, and
- where and how, or by whom, the increasingly important care needs are being met at present and in the longer term.
OUTCOMES
Despite difficult circumstances during the Covid19 crisis, relevant groups could be interviewed by means of a qualitative survey. Due to the existing restrictions on personal contact, however, it was not possible to interview the group of people with disabilities, nor the group of relatives. Therefore, the focus was directed towards the other important system partners. A total of ten interviews each were conducted with both managing directors and assistants in their expert roles. All interviews took place online via Skype. The results not only provide a comprehensive overview of the current living situation of older people with disabilities in Tyrol, but also contain concrete recommendations as an impetus for a sustainable further development of the current living and care structures for the people concerned.
Project Team
- Study Program: Master of Social Work, Social Policy & Management
- Team: Ulrike Daufratshofer BA, Leonie Jostock BA, Vera Kienpointner BA, Magdalena Klee BA, Lena Kraus BA, Nicole Reith MA, Isabella Salvamoser BA, Umma Sandt BA, Denny Schmidt BA, Svenja Stache BA, Yannick Tahn BA
With the collaboration of Simon Prucker and Meryem Altun, MA - Project Leaders: Mag. Georg Willeit, FH-Prof.in Mag.a Dr.in Eva Fleischer, DSA
- Partner Organisation: Lebenshilfe Tirol
- Year project was carried out: Oktober 2019 bis Juni 2020
Partner Statement
"The results of the student research project can only be a beginning. Both we, as a service providing organisation, and the state as the financial provider, need reliable facts and figures on the topic of people with disabilities in old age in order to make Tyrolean disability assistance fit for the future". - Mag. Georg Willeit, Managing Director, Lebenshilfe Tirol
"Research efforts on this topic are extremely important to improve the living situation of people with disabilities in old age in Tyrol. In a next step, people with disabilities will be integrated", Provincial Councillor Gabriele Fischer.“ - State Councillor Gabriele Fischer - Link to ORF Report
