The COVID-19 pandemic and quality of life outcomes of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities

Abstract

Background

People with intellectual and developmental disabilities (PWIDD) are contracting and dying of COVID-19 at significantly greater rates than nondisabled people and people with other disabilities. Despite the increased risk of COVID-19 for the IDD community, there has been less attention drawn to the impact of the pandemic on people with IDD, especially beyond their health and safety. Yet, PWIDD also face unique challenges as a result of the pandemic compared to other populations.

Objective

The purpose of this study was to explore the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the quality of life outcomes of PWIDD.

Methods

We conducted a secondary analysis of Personal Outcome Measures® interviews from 2019 to 2020 ( n = 2284).

Results

There were significant differences in the following quality of life outcomes of PWIDD between 2019 and 2020: continuity and security; interact with other members of the community; participate in the life of the community; intimate relationships; and, choose goals.

Conclusions

Our findings suggest the COVID-19 pandemic has negatively hindered the quality of life outcomes of PWIDD in a number of different areas. While the pandemic has been undoubtably hard on the IDD community, in many ways it has simply intensified an underfunded and fractured IDD service system. However the IDD service system evolves during and after the pandemic, it must be done in a way that prioritizes the quality of life of PWIDD and what is most important to them.