Introduction: Experienced and perceptual evidence on quality-of-life (QoL) of older Australians with and without intellectual disability using comparable validated measurement scales is limited. To examine possible differences, a study was undertaken to compare experienced and perceived QoL across these two groups to better understand their underlying health and social needs.
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Methods: Community-based cross-sectional survey of participants aged 60–87 years (ID, n = 391; without-ID, n = 920). QoL was assessed using the Cummins Well-Being Scales (PW-ID for ID and PWA for without-ID) and Medical Outcomes Study:Short Form-12 (MOS-SF- 12). The SF-12 data was categorised into Physical and Mental Component Scores (PCS and MCS).
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Results: The mean QoL score was 55.5 (SD ± 9.1) for PW-ID and 50.8 (SD ± 12.7) for PWA. The mean PCS and MCS values were 45.8 (SD ± 9.9) and 50.4 (SD ± 9.9) for the ID group and 42.9 (SD ± 12.1) and 51.2 (SD ± 10.0) for without ID group. For both groups, the range for all three QoL indices was sufficiently large so as to indicate great variability in perceived and experienced QoL between the two groups.
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Implications: Our findings of PwID reporting higher QoL is consistent with other studies across various age groups; and reflect a range of underlying perceptual issues. Policy makers and program administrators need to consider the experienced and perceived QoL of older Australians when attempting to customize and coordinate required aging-related supports across both the disability and aged-care sectors.