고령장애인의 개념 및 연령 기준 : 주제범위 문헌고찰 = Concept and Age Criterion of Older Adults with disabilities : A Scoping Review

다국어 초록 (Multilingual Abstract)

This study conducted a scoping review on the concepts related to aging with disabilities and the age criteria for defining older adults with disabilities. The theoretical review revealed that the age criterion for older adults (elderly) varies based on different operational definitions, including individual perception, loss of social roles, chronological age, and functional age.
The analysis of previous studies showed that academic journals frequently applied the concept of disabled older adults, with a predominant age criterion of 65 years.
In contrast, policy reports defined individuals aged 50 and older as older adults with disabilities. Research on middle-aged and older adults with disabilities mainly focused on individuals with developmental disabilities, with an emphasis on those aged 40 and above. Additionally, the study highlighted the need to consider the heterogeneity in the aging experiences of disabled individuals and the disability experiences during the aging process within the group of older adults with disabilities.
Based on these findings, the study proposed policy recommendations regarding the definition of older adults with disabilities and the age criteria. It defined individuals aged 50 and older as middle-aged and older adults with disabilities, those aged 40 and older with developmental disabilities as middle-aged and older adults with developmental disabilities, and those aged 65 and older as elderly with disabilities. Furthermore, the study recommended addressing discriminatory policies for middle-aged and older adults with disabilities, developing specialized services for middle-aged and older adults with developmental disabilities (40 years and older), implementing integrated policies for disabled individuals aged 65 and older, and considering the heterogeneity within the group of middle-aged and older adults with disabilities.