Department of Public Health, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
Expert by Experience, Breda, The Netherlands.
J Appl Res Intellect Disabil. 2023 Jul;36(4):812-821. doi: 10.1111/jar.13097. Epub 2023 Apr 12.
We aimed to gain more insight into autonomy of older people with intellectual disabilities in a residential care facility in making choices.
We performed a descriptive ethnographic study in a residential facility in the Netherlands for 22 persons, aged 54-89 years, with mild to moderate intellectual disabilities (IQ <70) and low social-emotional development levels. We combined participant observations and qualitative interviews.
Based on the observations, the main themes for the interviews were established. Residents indicated to be free to make independent choices, and experienced less autonomy with regard to health issues and finances. Support staff stated that residents' level of autonomy depends on residents' characteristics, needs, preferences, the attitude of support staff and the rules of the care institution.
Residents had a clear view on their autonomy in making independent choices. Support staff is mindful of preserving residents' autonomy, which in practice is limited.
我们旨在深入了解居住在护理机构中的老年智障人士在做出选择时的自主性。
我们在荷兰的一个居住设施中进行了一项描述性的民族志研究，共有 22 名年龄在 54-89 岁之间、智力轻度至中度障碍（智商<70）且社会情感发展水平较低的人士参与。我们结合了参与者观察和定性访谈。
基于观察结果，确定了访谈的主要主题。居民表示他们可以自由做出独立的选择，而在健康问题和财务方面则较少自主。支持人员表示，居民的自主权水平取决于居民的特点、需求、偏好、支持人员的态度和护理机构的规定。
居民对自己在做出独立选择方面的自主权有清晰的认识。支持人员意识到要维护居民的自主权，但在实践中这种自主权是有限的。
