Search results for ‘Subject term:"learning disabilities"’ Sort:
Results 1 - 2 of 2
Exploring the lived experiences of people with learning disabilities who are dying of cancer
- Authors:
- TUFFREY-WIJNE Irene, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Nursing Times, 18.5.10, 2010, pp.15-18.
- Publisher:
- Nursing Times
Participant observation was used with 13 people with learning disabilities with a cancer diagnosis, 10 of who terminally ill. The study aimed to explore their experiences. The main themes were: dependent lives; deprived lives; truth telling and understanding; the importance of families; inexperienced carers and unprepared services; and resilience. It is concluded that in order to understand the experiences of people with learning disabilities who are dying with cancer it is important to understand their previous life experiences and key relationships. Treating patients with respect, dignity and openness can make a positive difference to their care.
Living with learning disabilities, dying with cancer: thirteen personal stories
- Author:
- TUFFREY-WIJNE Irene
- Publisher:
- Jessica Kingsley
- Publication year:
- 2010
- Pagination:
- 272p., bibliog.
- Place of publication:
- London
This book describes the lives and illness of thirteen people with learning disabilities who had cancer. As accessible to family members as to professionals, more information on the research methods used by the author on ‘the Veronica project’ is appended. The author visited all the participants at home, day centres, hospitals, hospices, nursing homes, and accompanied them to GPs and outpatient departments for three years to see what it is like for individuals with learning disabilities to live with deteriorating health and recorded what happened to ten of them just before their deaths. The experiences of families, paid carers and the health and social care services that supported them are detailed. The author looks at each case in terms of diagnosis and how cancer and its implications were explained, how much was understood and how individuals coped with the treatment. The suffering experienced by people with learning disabilities at the end of their lives is highlighted, but also their resilience and strength is applauded by this author. The final chapter builds on the optimism of the latter and several recommendations for how people with learning disabilities can be supported at the close of their lives are raised.