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Will general practitioners be adequately prepared to meet the complexities of enhanced dementia screening for people with learning disabilities and Down syndrome: key considerations
- Author:
- ROWE Michelle
- Journal article citation:
- British Journal of Learning Disabilities, 44(1), 2016, pp.43-48.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
This article provides a timely response in regard to the Department of Health's current initiative to financially reward GPs to prioritise and undertake dementia screening for people with learning disabilities over the age of 50 years and for people with Down syndrome over the age of 40 years. Whilst GPs are becoming increasingly aware of their responsibility to care for the complex needs of people with learning disabilities, the implementation of dementia screening poses a multitude of challenges. Research has continued to suggest how difficult it is to detect the early and often ambiguous signs of dementia for someone who has pre-existing cognitive impairments and may present with atypical symptomology. And it continues to be a difficult process even for those who specialise within this area. However, GPs who choose to opt into this financially incentivised scheme will now be offering dementia screening. This article outlines the main GP aims within the dementia screening process and the difficulties that may be encountered, with specific focus upon: offering a dementia screen; obtaining consent; undertaking screening within the most appropriate setting; choosing a dementia screening tool and developing a baseline; detecting early dementia signs. (Edited publisher abstract)
Planning ahead: meeting the needs of older people with intellectual disabilities in the United Kingdom
- Authors:
- HATZIDIMITRIADOU Eleni, MILNE Alisoun
- Journal article citation:
- Dementia: the International Journal of Social Research and Practice, 4(3), August 2005, pp.341-359.
- Publisher:
- Sage
This article aims to review existing evidence regarding the older population with intellectual disabilitiesand their family carers, with a view to highlighting their health and social care needs and exploring the policy and service context of their care. A particular focus is on identifying the core elements of effective service planning and development. The focus of the article is the UK, but the issues explored have wider relevance particularly in western societies.