Being independently dependent : Experiences at the intersection of disability and old age in Finland

Abstract

This chapter discusses the situation of older persons with disabilities in Finland from the viewpoint of personal experiences, focusing on in/dependence. Older persons with disabilities tend to be overlooked in both disability and ageing policies while there is little bridging between these policies and key concepts used in the policies. This chapter goes deeper into the conceptual issues at the intersection and analyses texts written by 19 older persons with disabilities in Finland with a focus on in/dependence. According to the data, in/dependence seems to mean different things: for some participants, independence could be achieved through support from others, whereas other participants saw asking for help as a failure to be independent – although inevitable in old age. The different understandings of in/dependence can make it harder to ask for help and support, which may add to older persons with disabilities falling through the service system’s safety net. By analysing the conceptual confusion surrounding in/dependence, this chapter contributes to filling some of the conceptual gaps observed between policies and research on ageing and disability.