The impact of COVID-19 on the social inclusion of older adults with an intellectual disability during the first wave of the pandemic in Ireland

• Main Authors: Luus, R. (Author), McCallion, P. (Author), McCarron, M. (Author), McCausland, D. (Author), Murphy, E. (Author)
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: John Wiley and Sons Inc 2021
• Subjects: aged; Aged; ageing; COVID-19; digital inclusion; female; Female; geriatric assessment; Geriatric Assessment; human; Humans; intellectual disability; Intellectual Disability; intellectual impairment; Ireland; Longitudinal Studies; longitudinal study; male; Male; middle aged; Middle Aged; pandemic; Pandemics; prevention and control; procedures; psychology; SARS-CoV-2; social inclusion; Social Inclusion; technology
• Online Access: View Fulltext in Publisher

 Background: Social restrictions and service closures from COVID-19 have negatively impacted social inclusion and well-being for some people with intellectual disabilities (IDs). Methods: The fourth wave of a national longitudinal study on ageing in people with ID in Ireland was interrupted during the COVID-19 outbreak. Social inclusion data for pre-existing participants interviewed before COVID-19 (n = 444) were compared with data for pre-existing participants interviewed during/after lockdown (n = 62). Results: More people interviewed after lockdown reported frequent family contact. Significantly greater numbers in the post-lockdown group reported access to and use of technology than the pre-lockdown group. Technology use was higher among those living in grouped residences supported by services compared with individuals living independently or with family. Conclusions: During the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic in Ireland, many older adults with ID stayed connected with family and reported rates of contact higher than were reported by others before COVID-19. This connection may have been supported by a significant increase in technology use during the pandemic. However, uneven use of technology may disadvantage some including individuals living with family or independently. Given that COVID-19 restrictions are likely to continue to restrict social opportunities, increased digital support may assist more people with ID to use technology to maintain their social connections. © 2021 The Authors. Journal of Intellectual Disability Research published by MENCAP and International Association of the Scientific Study of Intellectual and Developmental Disibilities and John Wiley & Sons Ltd.