Disabilities and Aging

Disability is often considered an inevitable part of aging.  In fact, many social service departments and organizations serve both Elders and people with disabilities because the needs of those two populations are often so similar.

As life expectancies increase, the percentage of older adults that have disabilities is also expected to increase.  However, as a result of environmental changes, additional support services, and improved health care, the rate of disability has actually decreased in recent years despite the increase in life expectancy.  This is because disability is defined by functional limitations, so when additional support is provided, individuals at the same level of health may still be able to function independently with accommodations in the environment such as wheelchair ramps, handicap-accessible bathrooms, and assistive listening technologies.  Improved medical care for existing disabling health problems, such as strokes and falls, is also being developed.

There are many disabilities, such as hearing and vision loss, that become more common with age.  Because disabilities are so prevalent in the aging population, disabilities are often seen as a given for elderly people.  Thus, research has not focused on how non-age-related disabilities, such as developmental delays or paraplegia, impact the normal aging process.  The Canadian province of Nova Scotia, however, did a report on the experiences of such people and found the following:

• Aging with a disability is expensive and there is a lack of support to assist with these costs.
• Many service providers do not have adequate funding to meet the needs of their clients.
• Transportation, housing and recreational needs for people aging with disabilities are not being met.
• Employment supports are inadequate to meet the needs of elders.
• There is no central navigation system for people needing to access services.
• People with disabilities who are aging must be seen as an “inclusive” part of our communities.
• There is no system of evaluation for programs and services, nor any system for evaluating the needs of this population.
• There is a need for education to deal with the social stigma of disability; e.g., a wheelchair is a source of pride and independence and full participation for a person with disabilities, but it can be perceived as a limitation or loss of capacity by the general public.

(http://www.ilns.ca/Publications/ILNS%20Aging%20with%20Disability,09.pdf)

Clearly, more research is needed in this area, and communities need to adjust to accommodate the needs of people aging, particularly those with pre-existing disabilities.