Search results for ‘Subject term:"learning disabilities"’ Sort:
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The prevalence and soverity of physical mobility limitations in older adults with intellectual disabilities
- Authors:
- CLEVER Shaun, OUELLETTE-KUNTZ Helene, HUNTER Duncan
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities, 22(5), September 2009, pp.477-486.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
A proxy-response telephone survey was conducted to establish the prevalence and severity of mobility limitations among adults with intellectual disabilities, aged 45 years and over, using validated instruments to quantify mobility in a representative population-based sample. Surveys were completed for 128 people in Ontario, Canada. Mobility limitations were common, but the prevalence varied depending on the definition of mobility limitation. The prevalence of limitations was greater among females than males, but no clear age trend was seen.
Staff-averse challenging behaviour in older adults with intellectual disabilities
- Authors:
- HARTLEY Sigan L., MacLEAN William E.
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities, 20(6), November 2007, pp.519-528.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
People with intellectual disabilities are increasingly reaching older adulthood. Little is known about age-related change in the prevalence of challenging behaviours among older adults with intellectual disabilities. The frequency and severity of staff-averse challenging behaviours of 132 older adults with intellectual disabilities was assessed through informant ratings on the Inventory of Client and Agency Planning at two time points 8–10 years apart. There was an intraindividual decline in the frequency and severity of challenging behaviour using both lenient and more restricted definitions of challenging behaviour. There was a low prevalence but high comorbidity of severe challenging behaviour. Level of mental retardation and adaptive behaviour were related to the frequency and severity of challenging behaviour. An understanding of age-related intraindividual change in challenging behaviour has implications for staff wellbeing and optimizing the care of older adults with intellectual disabilities.
Ageing and intellectual disability in Israel: a study to compare community residence with living at home
- Authors:
- LIFSHITZ Hefziba, MERRICK Joav
- Journal article citation:
- Health and Social Care in the Community, 11(4), July 2003, pp.364-371.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
Compares ageing phenomena in 29 people aged over 40 with intellectual disabilities living in community residences with 31 living with their families to compare health status between the 2 types of settings and between the study sample and the general Israeli population of the same age group, and investigate whether deterioration occurs among the participants in activities of daily living (ADLs), cognitive ability and leisure activity. Health problems had already appeared by 40 among the participants. The most frequent were visual impairment (33%), hearing impairments (20%), heart problems (20%) and dental problems (30%). The community-based group displayed more medical problems than people living at home, whereas individuals living at home had more dental problems. Participants' functioning in ADL areas was high, with no evident decline reported during the previous 5 years. Concerning leisure time, a decline in functioning in both residential groups was observed, and, interestingly, scores for social life and leisure activities were better for the community-based group. There is a need for better dental service provision for people with intellectual disabilities living at home. The data provided can serve as a preliminary base for the development of geriatric services for older adults with intellectual disabilities in the community and also for further comparison with peers in the general population.
Ageing in place together: older parents and ageing offspring with intellectual disability
- Authors:
- CHOU Yueh-Ching, KROGER Teppo
- Journal article citation:
- Ageing and Society, 42(2), 2022, pp.480-494.
- Publisher:
- Cambridge University Press
Limited research has been conducted about ageing in place among older parents who co-habit with their ageing offspring with intellectual disability (ID). This study aims to explore which older parents would choose ageing in place together with their ageing offspring with ID instead of moving and what factors are associated with this choice. A face-to-face interview was conducted using the ‘housing pathways’ framework with older parents (⩾60 years) co-habiting with their ageing offspring with ID (⩾40 years) from two local authorities in Taiwan. In total, 237 families completed a census survey between June and September 2015. The results showed that 61.6 per cent of the participants would choose ageing in place with their ageing offspring with ID, while 38.4 per cent of the participants would stay in their previous place without their disabled children, move in with their other children or move to a nursing home. Logistic regression analyses revealed that parents who preferred ageing in place together with their offspring with ID were more likely to own a house (‘personal control’), have higher levels of life satisfaction (‘self-esteem’) and satisfaction with their current community (‘self-identity’), and have a lower level of social support than parents who chose another option. To meet the needs of older parents and their ageing offspring with ID, care and housing transitions should be considered as part of long-term care policy. (Edited publisher abstract)
Ambivalence among staff regarding ageing with intellectual disabilities: experiences and reflections
- Authors:
- ALFTBERG Asa, JOHANSSON Maria, AHLSTROM Gerd
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Intellectual Disabilities, 25(2), 2021, pp.192-209.
- Publisher:
- Sage
- Place of publication:
- London
This study explores the experiences and reflections of staff in intellectual disability (ID) services concerning ageing with ID. Qualitative interviews were conducted with 24 staff members in group homes and daily activity centres. The findings showed that the staff were uncertain about the signs of ageing in people with intellectual disabilities; they compared the life conditions of these people with conditions in older people without intellectual disabilities. Their emphasis on an active lifestyle was very strong. The staff members also mentioned uncertainty about how to facilitate assistive devices and whether ‘ageing in place’ was the best solution. The overall theme was manifested as ambivalence where notions of older people with intellectual disabilities seemed incompatible with notions of old age in general and could be explained by the theoretical concept of age coding. The findings of this study indicate the need to provide education about ageing to staff working in ID services. (Edited publisher abstract)
Perceptions of ageing and future aspirations by people with intellectual disability: a grounded theory study using photo-elicitation
- Authors:
- TRIP Henrietta, WHITEHEAD Lisa, CROWE Marie
- Journal article citation:
- Ageing and Society, 40(5), 2020, pp.966-983.
- Publisher:
- Cambridge University Press
Internationally, 1 per cent of the general population are living with an intellectual disability and life expectancy is increasing in line with global trends. The majority of people with an intellectual disability live with family. This represents a growing and largely ‘hidden’ population who have, or will have, additional needs as they and their family age. There is limited research about what is important for people with intellectual disability when thinking about getting older. This article reports on a study which explored the concept of ageing and future aspirations with 19 people living with an intellectual disability, aged 37–58 years of age (mean 48 years) and living with someone they identify as family. Using Charmaz's constructivist grounded theory approach and photo-elicitation, constant comparative analysis generated four themes: reciprocating relationships, emerging (in)dependence, configuring ageing and entertaining possibilities. As part of the interview process, photo-elicitation facilitated the expression of associations and perspectives about ageing and conceptualising the future for participants. The findings demonstrate the engagement of people with intellectual disabilities in research and provided unique insights into both their experiences and perspectives on ageing in the context of family. The need for greater flexibility in service planning and delivery are identified, alongside ensuring the meaningful inclusion of people with intellectual disability in decision-making about their own lives as they age. (Edited publisher abstract)
Impediments to community-based care for people ageing with intellectual disability in rural New South Wales
- Authors:
- WARK Stuart, HUSSAIN Rafat, EDWARDS Helen
- Journal article citation:
- Health and Social Care in the Community, 22(6), 2014, pp.623-633.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
The emerging phenomenon of ageing with an intellectual disability has become subject to an increasing research focus in recent years. However, there remains little knowledge regarding the specific impediments that community workers face in supporting this cohort. The aims of the current study were to identify the major factors that, direct care staff believe, have most impact upon individuals ageing with an intellectual disability in the community. A three-round Delphi project was conducted across rural areas of New South Wales in Australia with 31 disability support workers to gain their perspectives on the main impediments facing a person ageing with intellectual disability. The 2010 study identified that the issue of ageing with an intellectual disability was presenting significant problems for community-based service delivery to this group of people. The panel identified 25 different impediments to the provision of support. A thematic analysis of the items indicated three main themes of ‘funding’, ‘training’ and ‘access to services’. By identifying these impediments to supporting people ageing with an intellectual disability in the community, both services and government funding bodies have the ability to plan to overcome both current and future problem areas. This identification of impediments may facilitate individuals to receive more appropriate assistance, which in turn may lead to an improved quality of life and maintenance of a community-based placement rather than premature admission to the congregate-care system. This study is particularly timely, given that Australia is in the midst of implementing a National Disability Insurance Scheme, and is an opportunity for all levels of government to agree on the mechanisms to appropriately assist individuals with an intellectual disability to continue to be supported in the community as they age. (Publisher abstract)
Active ageing among older adults with lifelong intellectual disabilities: the role of familial and nonfamilial social networks
- Authors:
- BUYS Laurie, AIRD Rosemary, MILLER Evonne
- Journal article citation:
- Families in Society, 93(1), January 2012, pp.55-64.
- Publisher:
- The Alliance for Children and Families
To date, there has been little research exploring the extent to which active ageing is facilitated by family and nonfamilial support persons of older adults with intellectual disabilities. This study investigated the role played by key unpaid carers of older adults with lifelong intellectual disabilities in facilitating “active ageing”. Disability service providers in Queensland and Victoria, Australia, were asked to identify service users who met the participation criteria (being over 50 and able to verbally communicate). Sixteen individuals were included in the study. Family and extended family members were found to play a crucial role in facilitating independent living and providing opportunities for recreational pursuits for those living in group homes. Members of religious organisations and group home staff provided the same types of opportunities where family support was absent. The findings highlighted the need for improvements in resource provision, staff training, and group home policy and building design.
Current and future concerns of older parents of sons and daughters with intellectual disabilities
- Authors:
- WEEKS Lori E., et al
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Policy and Practice in Intellectual Disabilities, 6(3), September 2009, pp.180-188.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
Using both qualitative and quantitative methods, the authors examined the concerns of older parent carers of their sons and daughters with learning disabilities in Prince Edward Island, Canada. Of 132 identified families in the province, 10 parents voluntarily participated in pilot interviews, and 33 parents agreed to complete in-depth interviews. Analysis of qualitative data resulted in the following five themes: (1) worry about the future care of son or daughter; (2) concern about services funding; (3) having housing and care options; (4) lack of provider understanding of carer's needs; and (5) helping son or daughter become a productive and active member of society. Key issues identified through quantitative analysis included interactions with the government, the need for respite care, and meeting social and emotional needs. Preferred types of housing and care options included "small option homes" and services that provide care to both older parents and their sons and daughters. The authors' results emphasize the necessity of adequate supports being made available to older parents who wish to support their sons and daughters with intellectual disabilities at home and to ensure that desired supports are available in the future when they are no longer able to provide care.
Where should people with dementia live? Using the views of service users to inform models of care
- Authors:
- FOBAT Liz, WILKINSON Heather
- Journal article citation:
- British Journal of Learning Disabilities, 36(1), March 2008, pp.6-12.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
This paper reports on research that illuminates how people with a learning disability understand dementia and indicates the implications of these understandings for developing appropriate models of care. As this new policy and practice area struggles to provide appropriate and effective models of care for people with a learning disability and dementia, an awareness of service users’ understandings of dementia leads to a number of important insights. The wider research programme from which this paper is drawn aims to identify best practice in supporting people with learning disabilities to stay in their own homes as they grow older and develop dementia. A combination of focus groups, ethnography and individual interviews were conducted at eight sites across England. Participants were people with a learning disability who had dementia, and those who have lived with someone with dementia. The findings have the potential to improve support to this population as they grow older.