Confidence of group home staff in supporting the health needs of older residents with intellectual disability

Authors:
WEBBER Ruth, BOWERS Barbara, BIGBY Christine
Journal article citation:
Journal of Intellectual and Developmental Disability, 41(2), 2016, pp.107-114.
Publisher:
Taylor and Francis

Background: Increased life expectancy for people with intellectual disability is accompanied by increased age-related health concerns. People ageing with intellectual disability experience more health conditions and are relocated to aged care earlier than their age peers. Method: Group home staff were surveyed about their (a) training and confidence in 11 health conditions and 7 health procedures, and (b) attitude to relocating residents with health needs to aged care. Results: Staff training in each of 10 health conditions and 7 health procedures was positively associated with increased confidence in supporting residents with those health issues. Higher staff confidence in caring for residents with 9 conditions and requiring 4 procedures was negatively associated with a likelihood of recommending that a person with those health needs should relocate to aged care. Conclusions: Targeted training of staff in age-related health issues may contribute to better health care and delay residents relocating to aged care. (Publisher abstract)

Subject terms:
health needs, learning disabilities, training, group homes, ageing, older people, staff;
Content type:
research
Link:
Journal home page
ISSN online:
1469-9532
ISSN print:
1366-8250

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