How to improve the quality of life of elderly people with intellectual disability: A systematic literature review of support strategies

Background The increased life expectancy of people with intellectual disability intensifies the need for age‐specific support. Research on effects of support strategies on quality of life (QoL) of these people remains scattered. Methods A systematic search of peer‐reviewed publications since 1995 was performed, with participants having intellectual disability and being aged ≥50 years. Studies include experimental, observational and exploratory designs, analysing links between support strategies and QoL outcomes. The present authors adopted a narrative approach. Results The present authors found 73 articles, assessed their quality, thematically categorized interventions into 12 themes, and listed them with their stated relationships to QoL. Conclusions The studies indicated the importance of funding, provision and organization of services/personnel, education, and cooperation among different support systems. The provision of good housing or activities, support when these provisions change, provision of (mental) health care, dementia care and end‐of‐life care, life story work, future planning and support for (I)ADLs are crucial.