Social relationships in everyday life among older people with Intellectual Disabilities (ID)

International research indicates that people with ID continue to have fewer social relations and friendships than other people. The group’s social relationships and networks are often limited to other people with ID, family, and service providers. However, in a Danish context, we know less about social relationships in everyday life and how they are experienced by older people with ID.

The project is based on a phenomenological approach (Merleau-Ponty, 2000), and follows older people with ID in everyday life. This contributes knowledge about experiences, possibilities, and barriers regarding social relations and networks. The research project is using participatory observations and walkalongs to collect the empirical material. This methodology allows the inclusion of perspectives of older people with ID - with less focus on verbal communication.

The findings of the research will be the base for a discussion of the current situation for older people with ID, regarding social relations and friendship - both in a Danish and international perspective.


Preliminary findings:

- Institutionalized settings, for older people with ID, sets the scene for the possibilities of networking and creates randomized relationships opposite to self-chosen friendships.

- Long-term close relationships between older people in institutional settings are crucial for the elderly’s quality of life and well-being.

- There are very few examples of older people with ID having relationships outside residential homes and daycare centers.

- Service providers play a crucial role in supporting and facilitating the formation of relationships and friendships for older people with ID.