從老年父母照顧者角度探討中高齡智能障礙者的未來生活安排

Abstract

隨著醫療進步，智能障礙者（以下簡稱智障者）壽命已逐漸延長，並且邁入老化，導致雙老家庭益趨增加，而老年父母照顧者使用喘息服務之經驗將影響智障者的未來生活安排。因此，為了解老年父母照顧者對中高齡智障者未來生活安排期待，本研究運用深度訪談法，訪問7位∕組照顧35歲以上智障者的老年父母（65歲以上）。研究發現老年父母照顧者對於正式服務的使用經驗大多為佳，雖偶有不好的經驗，但仍會從中學習，並不影響對於智障者的未來生活安排，此結果與前人研究明顯不同。此外，老年父母照顧者期待智障者在家照顧或接受社區式住宿，其對於智障者的未來生活已有初步規劃。針對雙老家庭的照顧服務，建議可從政策面與實務面進行改善，使老年父母照顧者與中高齡智障者皆能安心老化。

With the advance of medical, the lifespan of adults with intellectual disability (ID) has gradually longevity and ageing, resulting in an increase in the number of older two-generation family. Further, the experience of older parents using respite care will affect the future living arrangements of older adults with ID. Thus, to understand the expectation of older parents for the living arrangements of older adults with ID, this study used the in-depth interview to visit 7 families whom must take care their sons/daughters with ID over 35 years old. This study found that older parents usually have a good experience in the use of formal services. Although there are occasional bad experiences, they will still learn from them and will not affect the future living arrangements for their sons/daughters with ID. Obviously, this result is different from previous studies. In addition, older parents expect their children could be taken care of at home or be placed in community living for the future planning. They also have preliminary plan for their sons/daughters with ID’s future living. According to the research results, the service of older two-generation family could be improved from the policy and practice side, so that older parents and older adults with ID can ageing safe.