THE EXPERIENCE OF PARENTING A CHILD WITH DISABILITY IN OLD AGE

The current study aims to highlight the ways in which aging parents perceive their parental role to adult children with disabilities at this stage of their lives. An interpretive phenomenological analysis perspective was used. Data collection was performed through in-depth, semi structured interviews with 20 aging parents of children with developmental disabilities, followed by a content analysis. Four patterns of parental identity emerged: “Being happy is his responsibility; I did my part,” embracing aging needs; “I can do part-time worrying,” a gradual letting go of parental roles; “I’m worn out, but I keep going. What choice do I have?” bearing the brunt; “I’m an old woman changing diapers,” full-time parents. The findings enable a deeper understanding of the various ways in which parents cope with aging alongside caring for an adult child with disability. Hence, this study can serve as a framework for developing differential intervention methods for these parents.