Relocations of older persons with intellectual disability. A quantitative analysis

BackgroundRelocation from the familiar living environment is a particularly risky transition event for old people with intellectual disability (ID); however, a change of environment has the potential to maintain or improve aperson's social participation and self-determination in old age. The research project MUTIG aimed to analyze the frequency and destination of moving home of old persons with ID (50years) in Westphalia for the years 2014 and 2015.Material and methodsThe investigation was based on a secondary analysis of administrative data of all persons over 50years who received any kind of social aid for integration from the Regional Association of Westphalia-Lippe. For each individual the address and support arrangements at the beginning and the end of the years 2014 and 2015 were compared.ResultsApproximately 5% of older people with ID changed address per year. People who moved to nursing homes had previously primarily lived in larger institutions or larger community-based group homes. The number of older persons with ID moving into or out of supported living arrangements was approximately equal.ConclusionOlder persons with ID should also be able to move to smaller supported settings and these settings should provide long-lasting living perspectives (aging in place). The pulling effect that nursing homes exert on residents in residential institutions or larger group homes is critically discussed.