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`I am a normal man': a narrative analysis of the accounts of older people with Down's syndrome who lived in institutionalised settings
- Authors:
- BROWN Jennifer, DODD Karen, VETERE Arlene
- Journal article citation:
- British Journal of Learning Disabilities, 38(3), September 2010, pp.217-224.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
This paper is a narrative analysis of the accounts of 6 older people with Down's syndrome who spent part of their childhood in institutional environments. The study aimed to find out how the participants talked about themselves. All of the participants spoke about their childhood, current and future lives. They had interesting and moving stories to tell about their lives. Most participants were able to reflect upon their strengths, limitations and hopes. The analysis highlighted the commonalities across the accounts: loss, abuse, health, significant others, transition, resilience and identity. Significantly, none of the participants identified themselves as having `Down's syndrome' or a `learning disability,' nor did they identify with being `older'. Instead, individuals identified themselves in relation to gender and social roles. The accounts varied in terms of their form, structure, coherence and reflexive capacity. Clinical implications for practice and research are discussed.
Pain in people with learning disabilities in residential settings: the need for change
- Authors:
- BEACROFT Monica, DODD Karen
- Journal article citation:
- British Journal of Learning Disabilities, 38(3), September 2010, pp.201-209.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
Many people with learning disabilities find it difficult to communicate effectively that they are in pain or how they are feeling. This audit investigated residential staff beliefs around pain thresholds, and the strategies they adopt to recognise and manage pain in people with learning disabilities. A structured interview was held with 58 staff from 33 residential homes and supported living services across Surrey. The results demonstrated that pain is not being effectively recognised or managed by residential staff, and that people with learning disabilities are not getting timely and appropriate medication for their pain. Some staff still believed that people with learning disabilities have a higher pain threshold than people without a learning disability, and let this belief affect how they manage pain. The results highlighted the need for training for staff in how to recognise and manage pain, as well as the need for appropriate pain recognition tools and communication aids to be utilised to support people with learning disabilities to be able to communicate their pain to others. It also indicated the need for better communication between staff and other services that the person with learning disabilities accesses.
Psychological and other non-pharmacological interventions in services for people with learning disabilities and dementia
- Author:
- DODD Karen
- Journal article citation:
- Advances in Mental Health and Learning Disabilities, 4(1), March 2010, pp.28-36.
- Publisher:
- Emerald
This article describes the current research regarding people with learning disabilities who develop dementia. The author notes that current interest has largely focused on epidemiology, prevalence, assessment and diagnosis, and that there has been less focus on care issues and interventions. Currently, there is a lack of research material, but a growing number of books and resource packs are addressing these issues. The author suggests that psychological and non-pharmacological approaches are useful in services for people with learning disabilities and dementia, but must be delivered in line with a clear conceptual framework of dementia that aids staff in understanding what is happening to the person with dementia and the effect of their care and responses. This paper outlines the most commonly used approaches, including developing an understanding of dementia, anxiety and stress reduction, life story work, reminiscence, reality orientation and validation techniques, helping peers to understand dementia, other therapeutic approaches, and understanding behaviour and dementia care mapping and their impact on the well-being of people with learning disabilities and dementia and the people who support them.