Innovation Spotlight | Retirement Services

by Lori Morphy, SARC Trainer/Resource Developer – Service Delivery, September 15, 2025

With advancements in healthcare and services, people with disabilities are living longer, and experiencing many of the same age-related changes that any person would expect. Many people who are aging look forward to things like retiring from their job, taking life at a slower pace, exploring new hobbies, and enjoying more time for recreation and leisure. Retirement is a significant life transition, and organizations in the disability sector must be ready and responsive to the changes, preferences, and lifestyle expectations that people have as they age.

Research shows that as many people with disabilities age, available activities become more limited, passive, and segregated, with less community participation or other formal programming. However, people still want to have full active lives and be included in meaningful activities and socialization in their communities.

So how can organizations adapt their services as the people they support age? Consider designing accessible spaces and increasing personal support as people’s mobility and health change. Another key consideration is developing or adapting programming to meet the needs, interests, and energy levels of adults who are aging with a disability.

Many organizations recognize the need to offer support tailored to the aging population in the disability service sector. For example, in Nova Scotia, retirement is listed as a specific program area in disability services that is funded by the government. There, retirement focuses on services for adults over the age of 55, with an emphasis on health and wellness, recreation, community activities, social opportunities, and volunteering.

There are a number of great examples of organizations that offer specific retirement services including:

• EnVision Community Living in Steinbach, Manitoba, developed a retirement program for people they support as they age. This is a person-centred program that focuses on each person’s unique needs, customizing their programming and maintaining their connection to the community.
• In London, Ontario, Community Living London offers day program services in partnership with a local senior’s centre. People accessing this program must be over 45 years old, need minimal support to participate, and have similar interests with those at the centre. Participants in this program have a membership with the senior’s centre and have access to all the activities offered.
• In St. Louis, Missouri, USA, the Association on Aging with Developmental Disabilities provides a variety of services geared towards aging adults with disabilities and their families. Such services include education for families and support workers, individualized retirement plans, support groups, and much more.

Designing programs for people who are aging with a disability requires thoughtful and inclusive approaches. As people age, collaboration with other services may be necessary – such as long-term care and health services. Educating support staff about what to expect as people age, and how to support people in healthy aging, may be beneficial. For more information about supporting people who are aging, consider checking out SARC’s Aging and Dementia Training on SARC Learning Central.

Does your organization offer retirement supports or programs tailored to older adults? We want to hear about them! Contact SARC’s Communications Coordinator at ahoffart@sarcan.sk.ca