What is Retirement Services?

Why is Retirement Services needed?

Some older adults with developmental disabilities may no longer be interested in working or may be experiencing health changes while other older adults may have not yet prepared for their retirement. Many of these older adults have not established strong community connections that will support involvement in inclusive community activities in their retirement. Staff, direct care providers and family members may be unsure how to promote these connections, opportunities, or the skills necessary to support a meaningful and quality retirement.

Who is Supporting Retirement Services?

What are the potential outcomes of Retirement Services?

Individual participant outcomes may include improved quality of life, increased self-confidence, more varied recreation interests and skills, ability to follow-through on self-selected choices, expanded social network and resources, ability to interact effectively and with ease in various social situations, ability to use community resources and the establishment of meaningful and productive routines.

Agency outcomes will include a reduction of older adults with developmental disabilities on the waiting list for employment services and opening up vocational opportunities for other adults with developmental disabilities. The community’s capacity to meet the service and support needs of older adults with developmental disabilities will increase resulting in the need for fewer segregated services.

Purpose:

To enhance the quality of life of older adults with developmental disabilities by assisting them with moving from work to self-selected retirement activities

Program Goals:

• To avoid forced retirement and functional decline for older adults with DD
• To establish a retirement culture for persons with DD
• To expand the options for inclusive community participation
• To increase the community’s capacity to serve older adults with DD and maximize limited resources

Read Jimmy Stockley's Story

Project Vigor

Referrals can be made through the Single Portal Coordinator at Wake County Human Services or directly to the RLSS Program Director.

Possible Indications for a Referral:

• Age 50 and older
• Currently receiving employment or ADVP Services
• Interested in retiring or working less hours
• Involved in few, if any, community support services outside employment
• Has difficulty planning for use of non-work time
• No established or meaningful routines
• Unable to tolerate much group interaction at this time, so is reluctant or unable to participate in other community services
• Complains of “boredom” and/or having few friends who share similar interests
• Able to identify personal recreation interests, but has poor follow through
• Dependent on family and/or professional staff for community involvement

Contact Information:

For additional information, please contact the RLSS staff.