Access and linkage: Two critical issues for older people with an intellectual disability in utilising day activity and leisure services

Research indicates that older people with an intellectual disability participate in few leisure activities. This study identified and analysed the day activity and leisure needs of a small group of older people with an intellectual disability who were living in the community. Information about activities, needs and concerns was collected by interviewing the older people, their caregivers and service providers. It was found that older people had few leisure activities and most had poor informal support networks. Those that did attend generic day activity or leisure services had previously been assisted to access them and now participated unaided. The majority wanted to “do more things” and “get out more”. Major obstacles were their poor informal support networks, lack of community skills and inability to access community based activities without assistance. A linking mechanism is required between the older people with an intellectual disability and community based services.