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 Dr Christine Bigby, Associate Professor and Reader, La Trobe University
The aspirations of older people with Intellectual Disabilty about their future and how the system is failing them.
Dr Bigby's presentation was based on three papers.
I Want to See the Queen - Hanging on to Future Dreams in a World focussed on the Present - The Experiences of Ageing People with an Intellectual Disability
Christine Bigby, School of Social Work and Social Policy, LaTrobe University, & Marie Knox, Social Work & Human Services, Faculty of Health, Queensland University of Technology
SUBMITTED FOR PUBLICATION TO DISABILITY AND SOCIETY January 2008
A survey of people with intellectual disabilities living in residential aged care facilities in Victoria
Christine Bigby, School of Social Work and Social Policy, LaTrobe University
R. Webber, Social Justice Flagship, Australian Catholic University,Melbourne, Australia
B. Bowers, 3 School of Nursing, University of Wisconsin-Madison,Wisconsin, USA
B. McKenzie-Green School of Nursing, Auckland University, Auckland, New Zealand
POLICY ANALYSIS PAPER
Beset by obstacles: A review of Australian policy development to support ageing in place for people with intellectual disability
Christine Bigby, School of Social Work and Social Policy, LaTrobe University
Abstract
The paper draws on three pieces of recent research (as above) on aging and intellectual disability, focused on aging in place in group homes, the characteristics of those who reside in residential aged care and the aspirations and lived experiences of aging people themselves. It draws these findings together highlighting the determination of the disability sector to support people to age in place, the strategies used and the reasons people move into residential aged care.
However, through a description of the current life experiences of a small group of older people in two States attention is drawn to the failure of current support services to provide a sense of continuity and purpose for this group that matches their own aspirations. Finally suggested are some of the possible reasons for this failure, including the absence of a strong policy framework and person-centred planning approaches to planning and delivery of support.
About Christine
Dr Christine Bigby is a Reader and Associate Professor in the School of Social Work and Social Policy at Latrobe University. Her research interests are intellectual disability policy and practice and in particular issues associated with aging. She is the author of 3 books, the latest of which is "Planning and Support for People with Intellectual Disability: Issues for Case Managers and other Professionals" was published by Jessica Kingsley and University of New South Wales Press in mid 2007.
She is also editor of Australian Social Work. She has taken an active role in debate and analysis of disability policy, and for the last 2 years has convened the annual Roundtable of Intellectual Disability Policy.
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