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Examining the support needs of ageing family carers in developing future plans for a relative with an intellectual disability
- Authors:
- TAGGART Laurence, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Intellectual Disabilities, 16(3), September 2012, pp.217-234.
- Publisher:
- Sage
- Place of publication:
- London
Due to the increased life expectancy of people with intellectual disability, they are now more likely to be living with an ageing family carer. The aim of this study was to examine the support needs of ageing family carers in developing future plans for a relative with an intellectual disability. A mixed methods design was employed. In stage 1, a structured questionnaire was used to collate information on the health, caregiving demands and future planning preferences of 112 parent and sibling carers aged 60–94 years. In stage 2, 19 in-depth semi-structured interviews were undertaken with a sample of carers to explore a range of issues around future planning. Over half of the carers were lone carers, mainly female, with many reporting a wide range of health problems. The main preference was for the person to remain in the family home, with either the family or paid staff to support them. A minority of parent carers preferred the person to move into the home of a sibling, although some favoured the person moving to a residential facility with other people with intellectual disabilities. Four main themes were identified around future planning: unremitting apprehension; the extent of planning; obstacles encountered; and solutions for future planning. Avoidance, lack of guidance and a lack of appropriate residential provision were cited as obstacles to making future plans compounded by the emotional upset experienced by carers in thinking about the future.
Intellectual disability nursing in Ireland: identifying its development and future
- Authors:
- DOODY Owen, SLEVIN Eamonn, TAGGART Laurence
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Intellectual Disabilities, 16(1), March 2012, pp.7-16.
- Publisher:
- Sage
- Place of publication:
- London
Intellectual disability nursing is one of the smallest branches of nursing in Ireland. As the discipline of intellectual disability nursing is unique to Ireland and the United Kingdom, there is a responsibility on intellectual disability nurses to identify their unique identity and their responses to the demands of changing services. Since its inception as an individual nursing profession in 1959 in Ireland, both education and service provision philosophies have changed over time. These changes have been in response to national and international reports and changing attitudes. The history of the care of persons with an intellectual disability in Ireland was originally one of institutional care and segregation from the community, but in the 1980s a social model of care began to be implemented. Intellectual disability nurse education in Ireland is currently a 4-year undergraduate course. Over the years, the discipline has been subject to much debate, relating to the nature of intellectual disability nursing and the knowledge, skills and role of nurses working in this area. This article traces the development of intellectual disability nursing in Ireland, identifying its educational development, service changes and future position.
England and Northern Ireland policy and law update relating to mental health and intellectual disability
- Authors:
- CHAPLIN Eddie, TAGGART Laurence
- Journal article citation:
- Advances in Mental Health and Intellectual Disabilities, 6(3), 2012, pp.144-150.
- Publisher:
- Emerald
Two years ago this journal presented overviews and perspectives from across the UK relating to mental health and intellectual disability. This article aims to bring readers up to date with policy developments and current issues in England and Northern Ireland. As well as looking at changes to policy and legislation, the paper highlights the differences and shared concerns for people with intellectual disability living in the two countries, for example access to equitable health care. The review found that, in spite of shared visions of inclusion and equality in mental health care, there are major differences in how the countries approach these issues. This has been emphasised by recent shifts in policy. In Northern Ireland strategies are being designed to inform the delivery of evidence based services for the future while in England there has also been a move towards public protection within mental health legislation and the reaffirmation of the need to for more individualised services. It is concluded that although there is a desire for change, the reality is that the policies and legislation introduced to address issues such as accessing mental health care and service standards have still to make a significant impact to people's daily lives.