Exploratory Study on the Concept of Premature Aging and Support Measures for Workers with Developmental Disabilities

This study aims to explore the phenomenon of early aging in workers with developmental disabilities, to clarify the concept of early aging, and to examine the associated workplace and daily life challenges and supportive measures. To achieve this, semi-structured interviews were conducted with eleven participants, including workers with developmental disabilities, support professionals, and parents, using the Focus Group Interview (FGI) method. The findings reveal that early aging is a prevalent experience among workers with developmental disabilities, reportedly occurring approximately 15 years earlier than in individuals without disabilities. The analysis indicates that factors such as health issues, communication restrictions, and limited social activities contribute to the acceleration of early aging. In total, five main themes and fifteen sub-themes were identified regarding the concept and support strategies related to early aging. The study concludes that a multifaceted support approach, including regular health screenings, exercise programs, flexible and adaptive work schedules, and psychological counseling services, is essential to mitigate early aging in workers with developmental disabilities.