Search results for ‘Subject term:"learning disabilities"’ Sort:
Results 1 - 9 of 9
Family quality of life and older families
- Author:
- JOKINEN Nancy S.
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Policy and Practice in Intellectual Disabilities, 3(4), December 2006, pp.246-252.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
This paper highlights the circumstances of older families of adults with an intellectual disability (ID) using scenarios drawn from current research, the practice literature pertaining to older families, and basic tenets of family quality of life as a field of study. Specific issues discussed include the propensity in the literature to emphasize negative aspects of prolonged coresidence of older parents and adults with an ID; evidence-based practice often dominated by a focus on future planning, particularly in regard to transitions from home, financial issues, and guardianship; and little research or practice identifying a planning process that considers the older family as a whole, taking into account and addressing the needs and concerns of all family members affected by ageing circumstances. Additionally, scant literature on the involvement of family in the lives of middle-aged and older adults already living in residential services is available to guide practice to successfully maintain family involvement under these circumstances. The author concludes that there is a need to expand evidence-based practice beyond work with older parents cohabiting with a son or daughter with an ID and future planning, and that a family quality of life approach has the potential to identify proactive strategies that strengthen family relations and actively engage older families in the development of policy and practice.
Program development of reminiscence group work for ageing people with intellectual disabilities
- Authors:
- VAN PUYENBROECK Joris, MEAS Bea
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Intellectual and Developmental Disability, 31(3), September 2006, pp.139-147.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
The goal of this study was to adapt a narrative reminiscence program for the special needs of ageing people with mild/moderate intellectual disabilities. Research has shown that stimulating reminiscence in the elderly can be a meaningful activity, and holds promise for positive effects on well-being. In the first stage (10 weeks), the program was developed with 1 group. Evaluation and adjustments to the program were made based on video recordings, the researcher's log, and feedback from participants and support workers. Formative evaluation was performed by means of a within group analysis. In the second stage (3 weeks), the program was introduced to 6 other groups. Interviews with professional support workers were subjected to a cross-case analysis. The final program consists of 13 sessions covering different reminiscence themes. The success of reminiscence group work relies on (a) well-prepared and structured sessions, (b) adequate use of visual triggers, and (c) facilitating, coaching and moderating. The program was perceived as a valuable and meaningful activity by all participants. Although reminiscence group work is not therapeutic in nature, it may have therapeutic use for ageing people with intellectual disabilities, and in this sense is worth evaluating.
Improving the quality of life for people with learning disabilities: research into practice: conference report
- Author:
- JOINT IMPROVEMENT TEAM
- Publisher:
- Scotland. Scottish Executive
- Publication year:
- 2006
- Pagination:
- 16p.
- Place of publication:
- Edinburgh
This report summarises the presentations and discussions at a conference which focused on effective approaches in planning, commissioning and provision of services for people with learning disabilities. The main aim of the conference was to provide up-to-date evidence based on information relevant to health and social care services, and to contribute to developing a framework to support implementation of the research-based information through practice guidelines for health and social care services in this area. The report provides main points from papers presented and workshop discussions. The papers covered: supported accommodation for people with learning disabilities, community living and how well staff match people's needs, adult protection and the vulnerabilities of people with intellectual disabilities, and the impact of ageing on people with a learning disability. The report draws conclusions, and sets out key questions from the conference and next steps.
The Graz Declaration on Disability and Ageing
- Authors:
- WEBER Germain, WOLFMAYR Franz
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Policy and Practice in Intellectual Disabilities, 3(4), December 2006, pp.271-276.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
The Graz Declaration on Disability and Ageing, which was promulgated at the June 2006 European Conference on Ageing and Disability, was commissioned by the Austrian European Union Presidency and was produced by a network of European ageing and disability nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), with the support of two Austrian disability NGOs. Based on a framework of the principles of inclusion and human rights, the declaration is an integrated document on disability and ageing, uniting matters of concern, clarifying common variances, and emphasizing special requirements for older people with disabilities. The declaration was developed to serve as a political statement, produced by a collective of key stakeholders from among both the ageing and disability communities, that would enable a new European coalition to emerge, working with a common voice, which would advocate more effectively for a quality life for older people with disabilities, strengthening their fundamental rights as well as social cohesion, and thus strengthening overall European social capital.
Dementia and memory: a handbook for students and professionals
- Author:
- THOMPSON Simon B.N.
- Publisher:
- Ashgate
- Publication year:
- 2006
- Pagination:
- 235p., bibliog.
- Place of publication:
- Aldershot
Intended for students and trained healthcare and medical professionals, this book focuses on treatment of people suffering from dementia and memory problems. It looks at ageing and ageism, definition of dementia, different types of dementia, memory disorders, learning disability and dementia, and coping with memory problems and dementia. It includes information about how to treat memory problems, advanced memory strategies, assessing dementia, treating and managing dementia, and future directions for people with dementia. Case studies on memory, dementia, and dementia and learning disability, and a memory test are included.
Aspects of cognitive functioning in adults with intellectual disabilities
- Authors:
- PERKINS Elizabeth A., SMALL Brent J.
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Policy and Practice in Intellectual Disabilities, 3(3), September 2006, pp.181-194.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
This literature review examines age-related differences in specific aspects of cognitive functioning and cognitive performance of people with ID and Alzheimer's disease (AD), as well as what maybe be protective and risk factors. Training interventions designed to enhance cognitive performance are also reviewed. The authors note that greater efforts are needed with respect to delineating the function and deficits in cognitive domains within aging adults. Methodological issues that merit further attention includes utilizing appropriate age ranges and assessment of intra-individual variability in statistical analysis of cognitive performance. While, consideration should be given to the continued development of specific cognitive tasks and tests that have been developed, validated, and normed for this population, there is still a critical need for more longitudinal data with multiple time points, to assess and track trajectories of change over time, especially as cohort effects of residential living, and educational and vocational opportunities have varied so widely over the last 30 years, and are likely to be a substantial confounding factor. Furthermore, efforts need to ensure that instruments continue to be developed with specificity and sensitivity to detect pathological deficits in AD-related performance. Lastly, greater research attention is warranted to describe and meet the needs of the burgeoning aging population of people with ID. This will ultimately guide policy makers to develop better practice protocols to maximize cognitive function in normative and pathological aging.
An analysis of key principles in valuing people: implications for supporting people with dementia
- Author:
- FORBAT Liz
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Intellectual Disabilities, 10(3), September 2006, pp.249-260.
- Publisher:
- Sage
- Place of publication:
- London
This article reports an analysis of practitioner and policy implementers' views on implementing the strategy document Valuing People. It is based on empirical data generated from the first phase of a research project that seeks to develop best practice in supporting people with an intellectual disability and dementia. The analysis focuses on how Valuing People's four key principles (choice, independence, rights and inclusion) were drawn on and talked about spontaneously by participants. Each of these four principles has important implications for the provision of services for people with intellectual disabilities and dementia. This article adds to the growing dialogue on service provision for this group.
The body in health and social care
- Author:
- TWIGG Julia
- Publisher:
- Palgrave Macmillan
- Publication year:
- 2006
- Pagination:
- 198p., bibliog.
- Place of publication:
- Basingstoke
The body is central to many professional and policy concerns. Focusing on health and social care, this book shows how important the body can be to a range of issues such as disability, old age, sexuality, consumption, food and public space. Twigg shows how constructions of the body affect how we see different social groups and explores the significance of the body in the provision and delivery of care. Written in a lively and accessible style, the book offers fresh insights into classic areas of health, social care and society.
Valuing people: hopes and dreams for the future
- Author:
- FORBAT Liz
- Journal article citation:
- British Journal of Learning Disabilities, 34(1), March 2006, pp.20-27.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
This paper outlines the views of key policy makers, implementers and practitioners on Valuing People (Department of Health, Valuing people. A new strategy for learning disability for the 21st century, The Stationary Office, London, 2001). It reports a series of interviews conducted in 2003/2004 with a diverse selection of people involved in English policy construction and implementation around the support needs of people with a learning disability and/or around older people and dementia. Interviewees talked about what they perceived to be the strengths and weaknesses of policies for this client group, which led to thinking particularly about the gaps in provision for people with a learning disability as they age. The findings discussed here introduce interviewees' reported hopes and dreams for social policy in 10 years' time. Themes included training, the rights of carers, daytime activities, family respite, flexible finance packages and housing. The interviewees highlighted satisfaction and dissatisfaction in the connections between policy and practice. Areas for policy development and, crucially, ways of improving provision to people with a learning disability who develop dementia are highlighted.