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The needs of people with learning disabilities who develop dementia: a literature review
- Author:
- LLEWELLYN Penny
- Journal article citation:
- Dementia: the International Journal of Social Research and Practice, 10(2), May 2011, pp.235-247.
- Publisher:
- Sage
The longevity of people with learning disabilities is rising, and they are increasingly developing age related conditions including dementia. When this occurs, their medical and social needs pose many challenges for services. A literature review was undertaken of articles published between 1996 and 2006. Data were collected relating to the needs of people with learning disabilities and dementia, their carers and their peers. Findings revealed that the primary medical need was for timely and accurate diagnosis. There were a multitude of diagnostic tools, and advice was available as to which are most suitable for different client groups. The needs of carers are intertwined with those of people with learning disabilities and dementia and meeting their needs for education, training and increased staff numbers, has proved beneficial. Although multiple services were responsible for the needs of this client group, there was an agreement that learning disability services should be central to social care service provision.
Providing care for adults with autistic spectrum disorders in learning disability services: needs-based or diagnosis-driven?
- Authors:
- BENNETT Heather E., WOOD Clare L., HARE Dougal Julian
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities, 18(1), March 2005, pp.57-64.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
This study assessed whether a Learning Disability Service should develop a specific autism strategy or provide services on a needs-led basis. An autism screening questionnaire had been used to identify individuals scoring above a cut-off who had (n = 9) or had not (n = 15) received a formal diagnosis of autism. A sample of low scorers (n = 22) were matched to these groups. Questionnaires assessing service provision, needs (disabilities and challenging behaviour), quality of life and knowledge of autism were sent to relatives of individuals living at home or key-workers for those living in supported housing. The high scoring groups had similar levels of needs. Those diagnosed with autism received more services in total while the high scoring group without autism diagnoses scored significantly lower on quality of life. Although these differences were not maintained when level of disability was taken into account, it appeared that there was some level of unmet need in the high scorers without autism diagnoses group. It appeared that resources should be targeted at identifying and addressing the specific needs of individuals presenting with autistic spectrum difficulties.
Developing mental health services for people with learning disabilities in England
- Author:
- SIMPSON Neill
- Journal article citation:
- Tizard Learning Disability Review, 2(2), April 1997, pp.35-42.
- Publisher:
- Emerald
Many people with learning disabilities experience mental health problems, and the outcome is likely to be better if they have a good mental health service. Opinions vary about what form of good mental health service for people with learning disabilities would take. Great changes have occurred in services, but research about the effect of these changes is sparse. This article explores the nature of mental health problems which require services and compares two models for providing a specialist mental health service for people with learning disabilities.
The incidence and importance of hearing loss in people with severe learning disability: the evolution of a service
- Author:
- YEATES Sybil
- Journal article citation:
- British Journal of Learning Disabilities, 23(2), 1995, pp.79-84.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
Third and final report on a study of the hearing of people of with severe learning disability in Lewisham and North Southwark. Approximately 50% of the learning disabled population in Lewisham and North Southwark i.e. 500 people, have now been tested and this paper confirms earlier findings and stresses the importance of full audiological examination at key ages. In view of this a service has now been established in order to test the remaining people wherever possible, supervise those already found to have a hearing loss and, most importantly, to train all concerned in caring for the learning disabled who also have a hearing loss.
Staying put: developing dementia-friendly care and support for people with a learning disability
- Author:
- VOLUNTARY ORGANISATIONS DISABILITY GROUP
- Publisher:
- Voluntary Organisations Disability Group
- Publication year:
- 2017
- Pagination:
- 18
- Place of publication:
- London
This report, produced in partnership by VODG, Alzheimer’s Society, Foundation for People with Learning Disabilities, MacIntyre and the National Care Forum (NCF), looks at how best to develop support and services for the growing number of people with a learning disability and dementia. It draws on the results of a workshop which explored how organisations are working to improve the quality of life of people with a learning disability and dementia and the challenges they are facing. The report address three key perspectives: policy, research and the practice. The policy perspective discusses the Prime Minister’s challenge on dementia 2020, what it means for care providers and what providers can do to improve their services. The research perspective focuses on a recent study to identify a biomarker to help identify those individuals who are most likely to benefit from treatment. The practice perspective highlights work carried out as part of the MacIntyre Dementia Project to support people with a learning disability and dementia. The report highlights the importance of timely diagnosis, of keeping people in familiar environments for as long as possible, of services designed to be responsive to the progressive nature of dementia, and of skills development for staff to enable them to support people with a learning disability and dementia. (Edited publisher abstract)
Guide to mental health for families and carers of people with intellectual disabilities
- Authors:
- HOLT Geraldine, et al
- Publisher:
- Jessica Kingsley
- Publication year:
- 2004
- Pagination:
- 240p.,bibliog.
- Place of publication:
- London
This guide outlines a range of signs and symptoms of mental health problems that can affect people with intellectual disabilities. The guide explains why mental health problems develop, and advises on what can be done to help people with intellectual disabilities and carers themselves. With chapters on specific disabilities such as autism and epilepsy, the authors cover topics such as: treatment and interventions for mental health problems; getting the best services and understanding policy around mental health and intellectual disabilities; legal issues, for example, what it means to ‘give consent’ ; and carers’ needs and support for carers.
Support for people with learning difficulties in residential settings who develop dementia
- Author:
- JOSEPH ROWNTREE FOUNDATION
- Publisher:
- Joseph Rowntree Foundation
- Publication year:
- 2004
- Pagination:
- 4p.
- Place of publication:
- York
What happens when someone with learning difficulties develops dementia? This study explored the experience of 18 people with learning difficulties living in small-scale, community-based residential homes. It also looked at the knowledge and experience of service providers, staff, fellow residents and relatives. Lack of planning led to ad hoc arrangements that often failed to meet the needs of people with dementia, fellow residents and staff. Lack of coherent strategies and resources resulted in people being moved inappropriately to nursing homes for older people. When people did move to another setting, residential home staff continued to play a vital role in maintaining basic care for the individual. There was a lack of coherent, consistent practice in relation to diagnosis and follow-up care. Where baseline assessments were established there was a marked improvement in early diagnosis. The use of consistent, good quality, practice-based training was critical in determining the type of care given and the likelihood of someone remaining 'at home'. Staff often provided unpaid or underpaid support. They played down the increased complexity of individual care needs because they feared requesting additional help might result in the person being moved. Waking night staff were essential not only for dealing with night-time disturbances but also for providing one-to-one support. This also had a positive impact on fellow residents' ability to accept and cope with the person with dementia. In particular, staff in all settings struggled with pain management and helping people to eat well. Dementia-friendly built environments were rare. But in some cases staff had been imaginative and resourceful, demonstrating that such changes do not have to be expensive.
Diagnostic difficulties
- Author:
- SALE Anabel Unity
- Journal article citation:
- Community Care, 5.12.02, 2002, pp.28-29.
- Publisher:
- Reed Business Information
A new study has revealed that the disproportionately high number of young people with learning difficulties who also develop mental health problems are not having their illness diagnosed. These problems often go unnoticed and untreated by the very services designed to help this client group.
What is the future of the psychiatry of learning disability?
- Author:
- HOLLINS Sheila
- Journal article citation:
- Psychiatric Bulletin, 26(8), August 2002, pp.283-284.
- Publisher:
- Royal College of Psychiatrists
As the stigma associated with learning difficulties diminishes and public services become more inclusive psychiatrists must be aware of embracing those changes. The author concludes that the value of psychiatry lies in its clinical relevance,
Sodium-valproate-induced pancreatitis in a man with profound intellectual disability: the significance of diagnostic difficulties
- Authors:
- HINDER Steve A.J., PERRY David W.
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities, 13(4), 2000, pp.292-297.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
Pancreatitis is a common but under-reported complication of treatment with sodium valproate, a drug frequently prescribed for people with intellectual disabilities. The present authors report a case of valproate-induced pancreatitis in a man with profound intellectual disability and review the relevant literature. The wider implications of problems experienced with diagnosis are discussed, emphasizing difficulties in recognizing pain and physical illness in this client group.