Search results for ‘Subject term:"learning disabilities"’ Sort:
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Supporting family carers of children and adults with intellectual disability
- Authors:
- KELLY Caraíosa, CRAIG Sarah, McCONKEY Roy
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Social Work, 20(5), 2020, pp.639-656.
- Publisher:
- Sage
Summary: The extra strains experienced by families who care for a relative with intellectual disabilities are well documented. The provision of overnight (respite) breaks or supports in the home are common ways of supporting family carers. Often demand exceeds supply. Using data from a national register in Ireland, child and adults who received overnight breaks and in-home support were identified along with the characteristics that distinguished them from families that did not have these services. Moreover, changes in provision over a 10-year period were monitored and variations in provision across the country were ascertained. Findings: Overnight breaks were the dominant form of family support in Ireland. However, they were available to fewer persons in 2017 compared to 2007, whereas the provision of home supports remained constant. Persons with severe and profound disabilities were those most likely to receive home supports or overnight breaks as were persons aged 30 years and over. There were persistent marked differences across the country in the provision of home supports, although the variation in the usage of overnight breaks had contracted somewhat in 2017. Applications: Additional investment is needed to provide supports for families, given the increasing numbers of persons with intellectual disabilities living at home. A wider range of support options would provide greater choice and arguably improve the cost-effectiveness of current resources. Frontline professionals, such as social workers, need to be to the fore in persuading service commissioners of these needs based on empirical data as well as their personal experiences. (Edited publisher abstract)
Exploring breast cancer and screening awareness among Irish women with intellectual disabilities
- Authors:
- REIDY Mary, DENIEFFE Suzanne, FORAN Sinead
- Journal article citation:
- British Journal of Learning Disabilities, 46(3), 2018, pp.193-201.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
Background: Internationally, it is known that there are gaps in cancer and screening awareness among women with intellectual disabilities. Little is known about this awareness among Irish women with intellectual disabilities. The aim of this study was to explore this awareness among these women. Materials and Methods: The study design incorporated a cross‐sectional descriptive survey using an accessible version of the Cancer Research UK Cancer Awareness Measure. The questionnaire was administered to women with mild to moderate intellectual disabilities (n = 45, age range 20–59 years) living in the South East of Ireland. Results: Almost three quarters of the women (77.8%) recognised a breast lump as a breast cancer warning sign. Knowledge about nonlump warning signs was much lower; 40% of the women did not feel confident that they would notice a change in their breast; 80% of the women could not recall a breast cancer risk factor. Overall, there was poor awareness of the national breast screening programme in Ireland. Worry and embarrassment about talking about their breasts would put women off seeking early medical intervention. Conclusion: There was poor awareness about breast cancer warning signs, risk factors and the breast screening programme among the women. Where women with intellectual disabilities are lacking this knowledge, breast cancer warning may be missed. Carers and intellectual disability services need to ensure that theoretically based cancer and screening education interventions are undertaken which will enable these women to identify warning signs and seek attention promptly. (Publisher abstract)
Geographical barriers to mental health service care among individuals with an intellectual disability in the Republic of Ireland
- Authors:
- RAMSAY Hugh, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Policy and Practice in Intellectual Disabilities, 13(4), 2016, pp.261-268.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
People with an intellectual disability (ID) are more likely to experience mental health difficulties than others. The United Nations (UN) Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) states that health services should be provided close to people's own communities. This article examines differences in access to psychiatry services for those with an ID according to geography, in the context of a small European country (Republic of Ireland). The sample consisted of 753 individuals aged 40 and over with ID in the Republic of Ireland, with data collected from the Intellectual Disability Supplement of the Irish Longitudinal Study on Aging (IDS-TILDA). The primary outcome of interest was attendance with any psychiatrist and the primary independent variables were area of residence (health service region and degree of county urbanicity). Logistic regression was used to analyse associations, unadjusted and then controlling for age group, gender and level of ID. Secondary analysis examined factors associated with anti-psychotic prescription without psychiatrist supervision. Treatment by a psychiatrist was associated with both health region (p = 0.029) and degree of urbanicity (p = 0.015) before controlling for group differences but only the health region was significantly associated after controlling for age, gender and level of ID. Antipsychotic use without a psychiatrist was associated with degree of urbanicity (p = 0.036) but not with health service region (p = 0.989). Geographic factors are associated with access to mental health services among those with ID in the Republic of Ireland. This may be partly due to movement of people with ID away from their area of origin, highlighting the need for locally tailored specialist ID mental health teams and for further research into barriers to treatment. Additional work in other countries will further understanding of similar roles of geographic factors in mediating mental health services access. (Edited publisher abstract)
An evaluation of a community living initiative in Ireland
- Authors:
- SHEERIN Fintan, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Intellectual Disabilities, 19(3), 2015, pp.266-281.
- Publisher:
- Sage
- Place of publication:
- London
One of the central principles underpinning Irish intellectual disability policy is that of decongregation. Allied to this is the belief that life in community settings offers greater opportunities and richer experiences than does life in institutional settings. This study explores the experiences of a group of adults with intellectual disabilities who moved from residential settings to living units in the community. Using a qualitative descriptive approach, it considers the significance of that move for them and seeks to understand the extent to which their lives have changed. Whereas it emerges that this was a positive period in their lives, it is clear that a number of issues remain to be addressed and these provide useful information for similar developments in the future. (Publisher abstract)
Aggressive behaviour and its prevalence within five typologies
- Authors:
- CROTTY Gerard, DOODY Owen, LYONS Rosemary
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Intellectual Disabilities, 18(1), 2014, pp.76-89.
- Publisher:
- Sage
- Place of publication:
- London
Crucial to understanding an individual, presenting with intellectual disability and the management of their challenging behaviours, is the knowledge of the types of those specific behaviours. The term aggressive behaviour is a universal term that embraces many aspects of behaviour that vary in terms of severity, frequency and seriousness for the individual and those around them. Hence, greater consideration regarding intervention, management, person-centred strategies and prevalence and frequency rates are required in service provision for individuals with intellectual disability and aggressive behaviour. This review presents the context of aggressive behaviour and its prevalence within the five typologies of aggressive behaviour: verbal aggression, aggression against others, sexually inappropriate behaviour, self-injurious behaviour and aggression against property, as identified by Crocker et al. (2007). The focus of this review is to report on the prevalence of aggressive behaviour reported for individuals with intellectual disability and consider the ambiguity in defining aggressive behaviour. (Publisher abstract)
Involving people with intellectual disabilities within research teams: lessons learned from an Irish experience
- Authors:
- IRIARTE Edurne Garcia, O'BRIEN Patricia
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Policy and Practice in Intellectual Disabilities, 11(2), 2014, pp.149-157.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
A growing body of literature has shed light into the process of conducting research with people with intellectual disabilities (ID). However, there is limited research on the feasibility of conducting research projects including various groups of people with ID, their supporters, and researchers. This paper reviews three studies conducted with these three groups of people in light of their feasibility, the knowledge generated, and their impact on individual and social change. This study used a reflective analysis focused on the main findings from the three studies, focus groups with people with ID and supporters who conducted the research, and interviews with people to whom the findings were disseminated. The analysis suggested that a team approach including active supporters and experienced researchers was critical to their feasibility. The studies generated knowledge particularly on the perspectives of people with ID on their rights. As a result of participation in these studies, some changes at the individual and social levels occurred, but these were relatively limited. The implications of this analysis for future research are discussed in the context of the implementation of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. (Publisher abstract)
Relationships of people with learning disabilities in Ireland
- Authors:
- BANE Geraldine, et al
- Journal article citation:
- British Journal of Learning Disabilities, 40(2), June 2012, pp.109-122.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
This study investigated the relationships of people with learning disabilities in the Republic of Ireland. The study was conducted by a national research network consisting of 21 researchers with learning disabilities, 12 supporters, and 7 university researchers. Ninety seven adults with learning disabilities from across the country took part in focus groups. Results indicated that people with learning disabilities had a diversity of experiences and views on relationships and support needed to keep them. They identified that they needed more support from friends, family, and services staff to develop new relationships and keep their existing ones. This support includes both emotional and systematic changes such as accessible transport, own housing, and changed laws. The article ends with a discussion on how the research team used the findings to advocate for a change in the laws regarding sexuality and learning disabilities.
Changes in the provision of residential care for adults with an intellectual disability: a national longitudinal study
- Authors:
- KELLY Fionnola, McCONKEY Roy
- Journal article citation:
- Tizard Learning Disability Review, 17(1), 2012, pp.4-10.
- Publisher:
- Emerald
The Republic of Ireland has a National Intellectual Disability Database (NIDD) of persons with an intellectual disability, which is updated annually. It records people living in various forms of residential provision as well as those living with family carers. This study used NIDD data to explore changes in provision of residential care from 1999 to 2009 for nearly 8,000 adults with intellectual disability in Ireland living in congregated or community-based accommodation. The analysis found that the largest area of growth over the ten-year period was in the provision of community group homes, with just under 50% of people living in community settings by 2009. There was a reduction in the number of places in congregated options, but more people were living in new forms of congregated provision designated specialist units. The article points out that a move from congregated living arrangements to more homely, community-based accommodation is a policy objective in many developed countries, and asserts that outmoded models of residential provision are likely to persist unless there is sustained investment in new forms of provision.
Exploring the experiences of people with intellectual disabilities when service users die
- Authors:
- RYAN Karen, et al
- Journal article citation:
- British Journal of Learning Disabilities, 39(4), December 2011, pp.259-265.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
People with intellectual disabilities are living for longer than ever before and are experiencing the deaths of their friends and other service users. However, there is limited research on the effect of the deaths of fellow service users on this group. This qualitative study described the provision of palliative care to people with intellectual disabilities in Ireland and assessed the population’s palliative care needs. Sixteen focus groups held with 91, staff in which participants described their perception of the experiences of people with intellectual disabilities when other service users die, were explored. Findings highlighted the emotional impact of the death of a friend on people with intellectual disabilities. Situations where staff facilitated the involvement of services users are described, and the study points to the benefits of this approach. Possible barriers to involvement are highlighted. The findings confirm the importance of ensuring that people with intellectual disabilities have a good understanding of the concept of death to ease bereavement.
Quality of life: a survey of parents of children/adults with an intellectual disability who are availing of respite care
- Authors:
- CAPLES Maria, SWEENEY John
- Journal article citation:
- British Journal of Learning Disabilities, 39(1), March 2011, pp.64-72.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
Some two-thirds of the people registered on the Irish National Intellectual Disability Database live at home, with family members providing support. Use of respite care services by parents with a child/adult with an intellectual disability (ID) is growing in the context of social policy initiatives for greater social inclusion of people with disabilities. Parents often require assistance in this caring role, needing to be supported with reliable, flexible and responsive services. Parents often have to negotiate complex barriers to access support services such as respite, health or social care. This article draws on a recent Irish study that investigated the quality of life of 49 parents of people with an intellectual disability and who are using respite care. In general, results indicated that parents were experiencing good to excellent quality of life. However, demand exceeded supply, with many parents facing a lengthy wait gaining access to respite care. However, more research needs to be undertaken out to establish what services are deemed most valuable to parents.