Search results for ‘Subject term:"learning disabilities"’ Sort:
Results 1 - 10 of 12
AWI Act monitoring 2013/2014
- Author:
- MENTAL WELFARE COMMISSION FOR SCOTLAND
- Publisher:
- Mental Welfare Commission for Scotland
- Publication year:
- 2014
- Pagination:
- 32
- Place of publication:
- Edinburgh
An annual statistics report on the use of the Adults with Incapacity (Scotland) Act 2000. The report examines the geographic variations in the use of welfare guardianship, the age and diagnosis of people placed on guardianship, the duration of guardianship orders applied for by applicant, variations in indefinite orders by age and diagnosis, and geographic variations in orders approved on an indefinite basis. It shows that the number of new and existing orders continued to rise although there was a further significant reduction in the granting of orders on an indefinite basis. The percentage of orders granted where the cause of the adult’s incapacity was dementia fell to 45 per cent, down from 46 per cent the previous year. Conversely, there was an increase from 41 per cent to 44 per cent of orders where the incapacity was caused by a learning disability, reflecting a continuing trend over the past several years where welfare guardianship is being used for an increasingly younger population. (Edited publisher abstract)
Beeches Manor Wokingham: a template for dementia housing with care
- Author:
- MORRISON Angela
- Publisher:
- Housing Learning and Improvement Network
- Publication year:
- 2014
- Pagination:
- 10
- Place of publication:
- London
This case study showcases a project designed to promote dignified independent living with care for people living with, and expected die with, dementia. It supports people in a cluster of one bedroomed flats rather than en-suite bedrooms. Two clusters each of nine one bedroom flats are arranged on the ground floor around garden courtyards with the ‘home zone’ as the focus at the head of the court and easily visible from all flat front doors for best way-finding. Flat sizes are minimum 51 square metres with a large en-suite bedroom, living room and kitchen. Adults with learning difficulties have their own front door, separate from the dementia clusters, for greater independence. Telecare has been installed as and where appropriate to individuals, commonly bed occupancy sensors. The case study shows that substituting flats for care rooms has enabled residents to be more independent and crucially it allows for a wider spread of ability, age and lifestyle to be successfully accommodated. (Edited publisher abstract)
Exploring coping strategies of carers looking after people with intellectual disabilities and dementia
- Authors:
- PERERA Bhathika D., STANDEN Penny J.
- Journal article citation:
- Advances in Mental Health and Intellectual Disabilities, 8(5), 2014, pp.292-301.
- Publisher:
- Emerald
Purpose: Carers play a vital role in looking after people with intellectual disabilities (ID). Caring role can be stressful and challenging in nature. Carers use various coping strategies to deal with stressors. The purpose of this paper is to explore coping strategies of carers looking after people with ID and dementia. Design/methodology/approach: Qualitative methodology was used to explore coping strategies. Focus groups and face-to-face interviews were carried out. These interviews were transcribed and analysed using thematic analysis. Findings: Nine interviews with carers (six paid carers and three family carers) and two focus groups with nursing staff looking after people with ID were carried out. Three key themes of “Narrative”, “Strategy toolbox” and “Compartmentalisation” emerged from analysis. Narrative and strategy took box were further subthemed. Carers had narratives about them and the person they look after. These “narratives” helped them to deal with day to day stressors. They also carried a “strategy toolbox”, which they used when they were in stressful situations. Compartmentalisation helped them to separate their personal life from work life as a carer. Originality/value: Understanding carers’ coping strategies is important when planning services to help carers who play an important role in our society. Professionals can support carers to understand and improve their existing coping skills and help them to thrive in their role as carers. (Publisher abstract)
Living well with dementia
- Author:
- BRITTON Beth
- Journal article citation:
- Learning Disability Today, 14(4), July/August 2014, pp.14-15.
- Publisher:
- Pavilion
- Place of publication:
- Hove
As people with learning disabilities live longer, their chances of developing dementia increase. This article explores what can be done to ensure they live well for longer with the condition. The article highlights the importance of providing training and education to the families of people caring for people with dementia and staff in the workforce. Other key issues include providing continuity of care, the importance of observational skills and good communication. (Original abstract)
Measuring the effectiveness of interventions when occupational performance is severely impaired
- Authors:
- PARKINSON Sue, et al
- Journal article citation:
- British Journal of Occupational Therapy, 77(2), 2014, pp.78-81.
- Publisher:
- Sage
There has been a call for conceptually valid assessments to measure occupational performance with greater sensitivity. This opinion piece reasons that a broad-based tool is required to relate subtle shifts in occupational participation to changes in the therapeutic environment. It includes case vignettes from learning disability and dementia services to illustrate the progress that can be made in occupational participation. Improvements in participation were matched to indicators of change in existing assessment and intervention manuals, leading to the development of a new assessment. Future research will investigate the assessment’s potential to measure progress when a person’s occupational performance is severely impaired. (Publisher abstract)
Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards: what determines the judgements of best interests assessors? A factorial survey
- Authors:
- CARPENTER John, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Social Work, 14(6), 2014, pp.576-593.
- Publisher:
- Sage
Summary: The Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards were introduced in England and Wales to protect the interests of people with learning disabilities, dementia and neurological conditions resident in hospitals and care homes. The Safeguards apply when residents lack capacity to make decisions about their care and treatment in circumstances that may amount to a deprivation of their liberty. Best interests assessors must establish whether a deprivation of liberty has occurred. However, there is no definition in statute; instead, the identification of factors which define a deprivation of liberty is evolving through case law. A factorial survey was used to identify the factors which influenced the professional judgements of 93 best interests assessors (three-quarters social workers) who generated 798 responses to randomly generated vignettes. Findings: Coercive staff behaviour was the strongest statistical predictor of a deprivation of liberty judgement, followed by the resident’s response. Other indicators of staff control, including the use of medication to reduce agitation, restriction of movement and family unhappiness with care were also significant. The resident’s condition, gender/age and the setting were not significant predictors. Best interests assessors were generally confident in their decision making; there were no differences in confidence associated with best interests assessors’ professions. Applications: Reviews of the operation of the Safeguards stress significant complexity in defining a deprivation of liberty. Nevertheless, this study suggests that the factors which best interests assessors take into account are rooted in the fundamental principles of the Safeguards and an informed appreciation of case law. Best interests assessors and local authorities, in their role as supervisory bodies, must keep up to date with developments. (Edited publisher abstract)
Viability of a dementia advocacy effort for adults with intellectual disability: using a national task group approach
- Authors:
- JANICKI Matthew P., KELLER Seth M.
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Policy and Practice in Intellectual Disabilities, 11(3), 2014, pp.176-191.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
The World Health Organization's report, Dementia: A Public Health Priority, noted that the number of people worldwide affected by dementia is significant and will continue to increase. The report called on nations to address dementia by developing national plans and undertaking public health initiatives. Special mention was made of the situation of people with intellectual disability, some of who manifest high risk for dementias. In the United States, the National Task Group on Intellectual Disabilities and Dementia Practices (the “NTG”) was created to ensure that the needs and interests of adults with intellectual and developmental disability who are affected by Alzheimer's disease and related dementias—as well as their families and friends—are taken into account as part of general-population dementia health and public policy efforts, particularly as noted in the U.S. National Plan to Address Alzheimer's Disease. To this end, the NTG's multifaceted advocacy efforts have included (1) identifying best practices for providing care and services to affected adults with intellectual disability; (2) developing and identifying a functional workable administrative dementia early detection and screening instrument; (3) producing educational materials useful to families, adults with intellectual disability, and nongovernmental organisations; and (4) furthering public policy initiatives on dementia as they affect adults with intellectual disability. This article describes the origins of this group, its functions and accomplishments, as well its role with respect to national dementia advocacy, as a prototype for other national efforts that can be used to promote the interests of adults with intellectual disability affected by dementia and improve the quality of their lives. Suggested are means for replication of such an effort in other national environments. (Edited publisher abstract)
The individual service funds handbook: implementing personal budgets in provider organisations
- Authors:
- SANDERSON Helen, MILLER Robin
- Publisher:
- Jessica Kingsley
- Publication year:
- 2014
- Pagination:
- 184
- Place of publication:
- London
A guide to an innovative form of personal budget in health and social care. It explains what Individual Service Funds (ISFs) are, how to use them effectively and how to implement them in the organisation. The handbook spans a range of settings, including a dementia care home, supported living and residential homes for adults with learning disabilities and people who use mental health services. It also sets out guidelines and templates which can be used when implementing ISFs, addressing key practical concerns including: how to put together effective support plans, and how to ensure that ISFs are delivered in a person-centred way, and how to overcome organisational complexities in implementation and supporting managers. (Edited publisher abstract)
Intellectual disability and dementia: research into practice
- Author:
- WATCHMAN Karen
- Publisher:
- Jessica Kingsley
- Publication year:
- 2014
- Pagination:
- 336
- Place of publication:
- London
Presenting up-to-date information about dementia and intellectual disabilities, this book brings together the latest international research and evidence-based practice, and describes the relevance and implications for support and services. Experts from the UK, Ireland, the USA, Canada, Australia and the Netherlands discuss good practice and the way forward in relation to assessment, diagnosis, interventions, staff knowledge and training, care pathways, service design, measuring outcomes and the experiences of individuals, families and carers. The breadth of information offered is meant to inform support and services throughout the whole course of dementia, from diagnosis to end of life. Particular emphasis is placed on how intellectual disability and dementia services can work collaboratively to offer more effective, joined up support. (Edited publisher abstract)
Understanding and using the Mental Capacity Act
- Author:
- MUGHAL Aasya F.
- Journal article citation:
- Nursing Times, 110(21), 2014, pp.16-18.
- Publisher:
- Nursing Times
The Mental Capacity Act exists to safeguard patients who lack mental capacity to make decisions for themselves and the health professionals who are for them. It should be followed whenever there is a doubt about a patient's mental capacity and a decision is required about their care and treatment. All health professionals working in hospitals and care homes should understand when and how the act should be used. This article explains the main points of the act, including assessing mental capacity and best interests assessments, training and record keeping. (Edited publisher abstract)