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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.
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.