Exploring Retirement and Leisure for Adults

This book examines views and experiences of retirement and leisure of people with intellectual disability. Taking the approach of talking directly to those most able to comment, Caroline Ellison interviewed people with intellectual disability to better understand what ageing and retirement meant to them. She found participants were involved in limited leisure during their work life and into retirement. Participation in leisure typically involved passive, in home or casual leisure, with limited opportunities to experience the social benefits linked to paid work that were identified by participants. Participants looked forward to freedom in retirement but expressed concerns about finances, boredom, health and social isolation. Retirement was accepted by participants as inevitable and while most had limited involvement in serious leisure, they viewed involvement in leisure activities as positive and likely to contribute to a smooth transition to retirement. The book adds to our understanding of what retirement means for people with an intellectual disability and includes recommendations flowing from findings.