Search results for ‘Subject term:"learning disabilities"’ Sort:
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Bridging the gap in care provision
- Author:
- DARWENT Jenny
- Journal article citation:
- Viewpoint, 118, September 2010, pp.22-23.
- Publisher:
- Mencap/Gateway
There are an estimated 25,000 older people with a learning disability living in England, and this number is rising due to improved care and medical advancements. This article notes that the particular needs of older people with a learning disability are not usually met by standard homes for older people. It describes the work of the Fynvola Foundation and its Lady Dane Farmhouse, a residential home in Faversham dedicated to caring for older people with a learning disability.
A survey of people with intellectual disabilities living in residential aged care facilities in Victoria
- Authors:
- BIGBY C., et al
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Intellectual Disability Research, 52(5), May 2008, pp.404-414.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
This study describes the distribution and characteristics of people with ID in residential aged care in Victoria, provides insights into the pathways they take into aged care, and gives some indications of how facilities adapt to their needs. A postal survey was sent to 826 residential aged care facilities in Victoria, seeking information from directors about their residents with ID. Facilities that responded were fairly representative of all facilities in Victoria. Residents with ID were younger, had entered at an earlier age and remained longer than other residents. Their reported dependency profile was similar to the general aged care population, although the incidence of dementia was lower. Primary areas of concern identified by providers were: inability to fit into the resident community, lack of participation in activities and lack of meaningful relationships. This study provides a first glimpse into how older people with ID find their way into aged care and how others view their experiences once there. It suggests that further investigation is required into the accuracy of assessment undertaken prior to entry to more clearly understand whether residents with ID are inappropriately placed in residential aged as a result of a shortage of disability accommodation and inadequate resources to support aging in place for those in such accommodation.
Staff responses to age-related health changes in people with an intellectual disability in group homes
- Authors:
- WEBBER Ruth, BOWERS Barbara, MCKENZIE-GREEN Barbara
- Journal article citation:
- Disability and Society, 25(6), October 2010, pp.657-671.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
The purpose of this study was to explore how supervisors in group homes caring for people with intellectual disability responded to the development of age-related health changes in their residents. It examined how staff in Victoria, Australia, viewed age-related changes, how they decided when a resident should go to residential aged care, and how they supported people who stayed despite significant age-related health problems. Information from in-depth interviews with 10 group home supervisors working in the disability sector was analysed using dimensional analysis. The article discusses factors related to care including resident health characteristics, resources, skills and comfort level of supervisors, ability to navigate health and disability sector rules and regulations, and concern about impact on other residents. The findings from the study suggested that group home supervisors are the primary decision-makers about whether residents can remain in the group home or will be relocated to residential aged care, and that although supervisors consistently expressed the belief that, at some point, residents with serious health conditions may require more intensive or skilled care, there was less consistency in their views about the criteria determining when a resident can no longer be accommodated in the home.
Planning and decision making about the future care of older group home residents and transition to residential aged care
- Authors:
- BIGBY C., BOWERS B., WEBBER R.
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Intellectual Disability Research, 55(8), August 2011, pp.777-789.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
Significant increases in life expectancy have led to a growing number of ageing people with intellectual disability. Planning for future care after the death of parental caregivers and adapting support systems to achieve the best possible quality of life for ageing people with intellectual disability are becoming increasingly important. This study examined perceptions held by family members, group home staff and organisational managers about the future of older residents and the decisions about moving to residential aged care. Three sets of interviews over a period of 18 months were conducted with a family member, house supervisor and the programme manager for each of seventeen older group home residents in Victoria, Australia. For the eight people for whom it was decided a move was necessary, and the six who eventually moved, questions focussed on the decision-making process. While plans for lifelong accommodation in a group home proved unfounded, key person succession plans were effective. However, decisions to move on to residential aged care were often made in haste and seen as a fait accompli by involved family members. The authors conclude that although family members take seriously their mandate to oversee well-being of their older relative, they have little knowledge about their rights or avenues to safeguard untimely or inappropriate decisions being made by professionals.
Growing older with learning disabilities: the GOLD programme
- Author:
- THOMPSON David
- Journal article citation:
- Tizard Learning Disability Review, 7(2), April 2002, pp.19-26.
- Publisher:
- Emerald
Provides an overview of the GOLD programme at the Foundation for people with Learning Disabilities. It describes the work of the 23 funded projects in a context of wider research concerning ageing and learning disabilities. Particular attention is given to those people living with older family carers and those living in residential services for older people. The picture is of services that offer little confidence for the future, as people with learning disabilities grow older.
People with learning difficulties isolated in care homes for older people
- Author:
- WELLARD Sarah
- Journal article citation:
- Community Care, 11.10.01, 2001, pp.18-19.
- Publisher:
- Reed Business Information
Campaigners are calling for an end to placing people with learning difficulties in residential care homes. Asks whether there is a strategy for an alternative.
Caring for older people: developing specialist practice
- Editors:
- MARR Jim, KERSHAW Betty
- Publisher:
- Arnold
- Publication year:
- 1998
- Pagination:
- 352p.,tables,bibliog.
- Place of publication:
- London
Addresses the care of older people in the community, nursing and residential homes and in hospital settings from a nursing perspective. Contains a broad range of evidence based material covering aspects such as quality of life, mobility, social interaction, sexuality, community perspectives and the care of people with learning difficulties or mental health problems. Adopts a positive, modern role to nursing older people and recognises throughout that the goals of older people are concentrated on independence.