Experiences of people with an intellectual disability, their relatives, and support staff with COVID-19: The value of vital supportive relationships

Abstract

The major impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent measures on the lives of people with an intellectual disability, their relatives, care professionals in general, and supportive networks in particular is beyond doubt. Due to their cognitive impairment, people with an intellectual disability rely on relatives and care professionals for lifelong and life-wide care and support. Various COVID-19 measures had profound implications for collaborations within these necessary supportive relationships, such as prohibitions in receiving visiting relatives and the closure of work and day-care activities of people with an intellectual disability. However, the current crisis boosts creativity with respect to the development and valorization of knowledge towards a new common, in which vulnerable people, such as persons with an intellectual disability, will be empowered in such way they attain full societal participation.