Introduction. Adulthood and the ageing process for people with intellectual disabilities raises many dilemmas and concerns for parents/legal guardians regarding their children’s future. Parents’ concerns revolve primarily around issues related to meeting their needs, providing appropriate care and support in everyday life. Parents wonder whether their adult child will have a social circle, whether they will experience social exclusion, whose care they will receive, and where they will live once the parents are gone. At the same time, the dilemmas surrounding growing up and ageing in children with intellectual disabilities prompt parents to take action to support their children’s development and future lives. It is important that, in this regard, caregivers receive appropriate forms of support, which will help them ensure the best possible adulthood and old age for their children. Aim. This text attempts to draw attention to the need for systemic action to support adults and ageing individuals with intellectual disabilities. Current support systems require refinement and modification, as well as the introduction of innovative solutions that would ensure these individuals’ full participation in social life, and their security in old age. Furthermore, the text flags up actions taken by parents to ensure the best possible future for their children. Methods and materials. Review and analysis of the literature on the subject, including models of old age for people with intellectual disabilities. Results and conclusion. The analyses conducted demonstrate that there is currently a lack of appropriate solutions that would enable people with intellectual disabilities to live independently with appropriate support. Support provided by a therapist and assistant is crucial in helping these individuals prepare for life outside their homes without their parents, and gain self-confidence and independence. Developing a community support network, consistent with a needs analysis, may also be a good solution. A matter of great importance is the issue of assisted living, which, unlike training housing, is offered for both fixed and indefinite periods. This desirable housing model is developing very slowly in Poland though, and lacks sound legal regulations. Therefore, the most popular form of housing for this group of people in their old age still remains Social Welfare Homes (SWH).