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A comparison of reports of caregiver burden between foster family care providers and staff caregivers in other settings: a pilot study
- Authors:
- MCCALLION Philip, NICKLE Tara, McCARRON Mary
- Journal article citation:
- Dementia: the International Journal of Social Research and Practice, 4(3), August 2005, pp.401-412.
- Publisher:
- Sage
There has been increasing concern about the impact of dementia symptoms on the lives and on the care being provided for persons with intellectual disability (ID) in out-of-home settings. One such setting that has received little attention is foster family care homes. These settings in the USA replicate family living and while some supports and resources are provided, they are not designed to meet intensive care needs. As a preliminary step in understanding family experiences and to expand the range of interest in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) in persons with ID beyond traditional out-of-home settings, a pilot study was initiated that included aging persons with ID and symptoms of AD who were living in foster family care settings in two regions of New York State as well as more traditional out-of-home care subjects. Comparisons of matched samples on subjective and objective burden measures suggest that there are few differences in experiences. The limitations of these findings are considered and recommendations made for future, related research.
Differences in stress levels between managers and direct care staff in group homes
- Authors:
- ROSE John, JONES Catherine, ELLIOTT Julie L.
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities, 13(4), 2000, pp.276-282.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
A survey examined the differences between managers and direct carers working in community homes for people with intellectual disabilities in terms of the nature and causes of stress. Fifty-seven managers and 49 direct carers provided data relating to perceived levels of pressure and support from a variety of sources. The questionnaire administered consisted of the Powell questionnaire of sources of stress and support ratings, a stress measure, and information on the background characteristics of participants. Analysis of the data revealed that managers of group homes were reporting higher levels of anxiety and pressure than direct carers. This was associated with managers reporting higher ratings for sources of stress. The implications of these findings are discussed.
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.
Hospital experiences of older people with intellectual disability: responses of group home staff and family members
- Authors:
- WEBBER Ruth, BOWERS Barbara, BIGBY Christine
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Intellectual and Developmental Disability, 35(3), September 2010, pp.155-164.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
A subset of data from a longitudinal study was used to examine perspectives of group home staff and family members concerning hospital experiences of group home residents with intellectual disabilities, including the strategies they used to support residents while in hospital. Focus was on 17 residents, aged 49 to 81 years at first interview, living in group homes in Victoria, who were tracked prospectively over 3 years. A total of 17 family members, 16 house supervisors, 11 accommodation program managers, and 11 staff in aged care facilities were interviewed. Twelve residents had been hospitalised at least once during the study and all had been hospitalised within the last 5 years. Staff and family reported poor support and treatment of the residents while in hospital. All positive experiences occurred in hospitals that had clear policies, resources and systems in place to address the special needs of people with an intellectual disability. Several strategies were used by staff and family members to improve the hospital experience. These included spending as much time as possible in the hospital; preparing information packages to prepare the resident for the hospital stay; attempting to partner with hospital staff; and taking on an advocacy role. Ageing of the family members and staffing implications for group homes complicated efforts to improve hospital experiences. The authors conclude that the current absence of systems to accommodate the special needs of people with intellectual disability in hospital settings has significant consequences for group homes, family members, hospital staff and residents.
Social work practice and intellectual disability
- Authors:
- BIGBY Christine, FRAWLEY Patsie
- Publisher:
- Palgrave Macmillan
- Publication year:
- 2010
- Pagination:
- 238p., bibliog.
- Place of publication:
- Basingstoke
Provides an understanding of the knowledge, values and skills required for effective practice in the field of learning disability and the opportunity for multidisciplinary collaboration for social change. The book focuses on adults with learning disabilities and their families. Topics include: the changing definitions of learning disability; theory and practice of working with adults with learning disabilities and their families; assessment, planning, monitoring and review; social inclusion and participation. Includes numerous case studies and discussion points.