Journal of Intellectual and Developmental Disability, 40(4), 2015, pp.330-341.
Publisher:
Taylor and Francis
Background: This article presents an insight into the supported participation of older men with a lifelong disability in community Men's Sheds. The authors draw on a subsample of men from a 3-year study that explored how older people with a lifelong disability could be supported to transition to retirement from sheltered workshops.
Method: Data arose from a range of sources – both quantitative and qualitative – and are structured here into a descriptive case study about how mentors at Men's Sheds provided support to older men (n = 9) with lifelong disability.
Findings: Older men with disability want to enjoy an active retirement similar to their peers without disability. These men can join mainstream community groups such as Men's Sheds, provided they are offered just the right amount and type
(Edited publisher abstract)
Background: This article presents an insight into the supported participation of older men with a lifelong disability in community Men's Sheds. The authors draw on a subsample of men from a 3-year study that explored how older people with a lifelong disability could be supported to transition to retirement from sheltered workshops.
Method: Data arose from a range of sources – both quantitative and qualitative – and are structured here into a descriptive case study about how mentors at Men's Sheds provided support to older men (n = 9) with lifelong disability.
Findings: Older men with disability want to enjoy an active retirement similar to their peers without disability. These men can join mainstream community groups such as Men's Sheds, provided they are offered just the right amount and type of support.
Conclusion: Men's Sheds are largely untapped community resources where men with disability are welcome, provided that appropriate support is offered to the members of the shed.
(Edited publisher abstract)
Subject terms:
participation, men, older people, social inclusion, retirement, mentoring, disabilities;
Journal of Intellectual and Developmental Disability, 36(3), September 2011, pp.167-174.
Publisher:
Taylor and Francis
... services, and participants in mainstream community organisations for older people. Six focus groups to discuss retirement were held comprising 5 distinct participant groups: 7 staff from disability accommodation; 7 staff from employment services; 4 members of mainstream activity programmes for older people; 5 family members; and 2 groups of 6 supported employees. The findings showed that the participants perceived retirement as a risk to the well-being and participation of employees. They were pessimistic about the availability of necessary support in retirement. The need for additional resources and skills was identified. However, the utility of inclusion strategies was not recognised, and continued segregation through specialist programmes or adaptation of existing employment programmes was the most commonly suggested retirement option by staff and family members. The article concludes that the perceptions of the participants does not reflect the current policy imperatives of social participation.
This paper reports the first stage of a study that aims to understand how older people with intellectual disabilities who retire from supported employment can be supported to participate in mainstream community organisations. In particular, it explores the perceptions and expectations about activities and participation held by older supported employees, family members, staff in disability services, and participants in mainstream community organisations for older people. Six focus groups to discuss retirement were held comprising 5 distinct participant groups: 7 staff from disability accommodation; 7 staff from employment services; 4 members of mainstream activity programmes for older people; 5 family members; and 2 groups of 6 supported employees. The findings showed that the participants perceived retirement as a risk to the well-being and participation of employees. They were pessimistic about the availability of necessary support in retirement. The need for additional resources and skills was identified. However, the utility of inclusion strategies was not recognised, and continued segregation through specialist programmes or adaptation of existing employment programmes was the most commonly suggested retirement option by staff and family members. The article concludes that the perceptions of the participants does not reflect the current policy imperatives of social participation.
Subject terms:
learning disabilities, retirement, social inclusion, service transitions, ageing, communities;
Journal of Policy and Practice in Intellectual Disabilities, 11(2), 2014, pp.117-127.
Publisher:
Wiley
... used these aims to effect successful partial retirement. The authors describe the program logic of the TTR, detailing its conceptual components as the first step to enabling it to be tested and replicated in other settings. The TTR programme has three components: promoting the concept of retirement, laying the groundwork for inclusion of would-be retirees with intellectual disability
(Edited publisher abstract)
The foreshadowed increase of older people with intellectual disability has become a reality in many developed countries. As these adults age, improved quality of life can be achieved through applications of conjoint policy aims of inclusion and participation. A transition-to-retirement (TTR) programme developed for employees of a large multisite disability employment service in Sydney, Australia, used these aims to effect successful partial retirement. The authors describe the program logic of the TTR, detailing its conceptual components as the first step to enabling it to be tested and replicated in other settings. The TTR programme has three components: promoting the concept of retirement, laying the groundwork for inclusion of would-be retirees with intellectual disability in the community, and constructing the reality. The third component comprised five stages: planning, locating a group, mapping new routine, recruiting and training mentors, and monitoring and ongoing support. The project's participants were 24 older employees, who replaced 1 day a week of work with membership of a community group and were supported by mentors who facilitated involvement of the participants in their group. Data collected provided information on the implementation of the program, the time and costs expended, and challenges encountered. Key to the model was a coordinator, skilled in generic case management and specific disability interventions (such as active support), who collaborated with others to manage the program. The authors note that by detailing the program logic underpinning the TTR programme, they have exposed the hidden work of supporting meaningful inclusion of people with intellectual disability in community groups and added to the limited stock of evidence-informed programs in this area.
(Edited publisher abstract)
Subject terms:
learning disabilities, ageing, older people, social inclusion, participation, retirement, volunteers, community groups;