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Challenges posed by COVID-19 to the health of people with disabilities living in residential care facilities in Romania
- Author:
- SAFTA-ZECHERIA Leyla
- Journal article citation:
- Disability and Society, 35(5), 2020, pp.837-843.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
On the 19th of March 2020, a Human Rights NGO demanded urgent measures be taken to protect the right to health of people with disabilities in residential care facilities - including psychiatric hospitals and residential care facilities - in Romania (Center for Legal Resources (CLR) 2020a). This article explains the legitimacy of this demand in the Romanian context, building on my own experience as an ethnographer of residential care institutions for people with disabilities, adding new substantive clarifications to the need to act in a coordinated manner to prevent serious harm to the health and wellbeing of people with disabilities in residential care facilities during the COVID-19 outbreak in Romania and in other countries faced with similar situations. The evidence presented is limited to the Romanian case which the author is familiar with on the grounds of the ethnographic and policy research that was conducted on deinstutionalization and residential care in Romania. Nevertheless, the author thinks that similar dynamics might be at play in other East European countries, as well as other countries, where large and medium sized residential institutions for people with disabilities and for elderly people or other vulnerable and marginalized populations are still being operated.
Obesity and its related health problems in people with intellectual disabilities
- Author:
- ITO Jun-ichi
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Policy and Practice in Intellectual Disabilities, 3(2), June 2006, pp.129-132.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
In this Japanese study, obesity and its related health problems in people with intellectual disabilities were examined, focusing on differences related to their place of residence. The prevalence of obesity was higher in older women living in community group homes than in the same age group of women living in institutes or among the general population. Hyperglycemia, dyslipidemia, and hypertension were less common in people with intellectual disabilities, especially among people living in institutes when compared with people living in the group homes and with the general population. Abnormal liver tests and hyperuricemia were found more in younger men; these may have resulted from obesity as well as some other clinical factors related to their intellectual disabilities.
Sunshine diet and mobility for healthy bones: an intervention study designed to implement these standards into the daily routine in an at risk population of adults with intellectual disability
- Authors:
- TOHILL Carmel, LAVERTY Anne
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Intellectual and Developmental Disability, 26(3), September 2001, pp.217-231.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
In 1995, the authors studied the incidence of bone fractures within a large hospital for persons with intellectual disability. They recommended that an intervention study be carried out to implement non-invasive criteria thought to enhance bone density and hopefully reduce fractures, i.e, improving vitamin D intake through diet and exposure to direct sunlight, and increasing levels of exercise. The patients targeted were those assessed as having a high risk of fracture due to polytherapy for epilepsy, possible nutritional deficiency due to liquidised diets or those with impaired metabolism and genetic conditions where increased fracture risk has been reported. Nurses were educated in the reasons for this intervention study and the criteria to be measured. The results showed that every effort was made to implement the dietary recommendations, ensure safe sunshine exposure and improve patients' mobility. The study served to increase awareness of the important factors that may help reduce the risk of bone disease. It has shown that these factors can easily be incorporated into nursing care plans and could certainly be extended to care in the community.
Pica in people with intellectual disability: a literature review of aetiology epidemiology and complications
- Author:
- ALI Zainab
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Intellectual and Developmental Disability, 26(3), September 2001, pp.205-215.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
Pica is a common problem in people with intellectual disability. Its significance can be under-recognised by carers and health care professionals. Pica can be a manifestation of a range of medical conditions and can lead to a variety of complications including lead and nicotine toxicity, surgical intervention requirements, and parasitic infestation. The literature is reviewed for references to the epidemiology, aetiology and complications of pica in people with intellectual disability. Studies of the prevalence of pica in institutional and community settings show lower rates in the community although rates remain quite high in institutionalised populations. The psychological, cultural and medical theories on aetiology are explored, along with complications. Areas for further research are highlighted.
No specialists needed?
- Author:
- RICHARDSON Malcolm
- Journal article citation:
- Nursing Times, 23.3.94, 1994, p.67.
- Publisher:
- Nursing Times
Raises concern that privately run homes for people with learning disabilities living in the community sometimes neglect nursing interventions and skills.
The impact of living arrangements and deinstitutionalisation in the health status of persons with intellectual disability in Europe
- Authors:
- MARTINEZ-LEAL R., et al
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Intellectual Disability Research, 55(9), September 2011, pp.858-872.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
Despite progress in deinstitutionalisation, relatively little is known about the health of people with intellectual disability (PWID) who live in large institutions or those living in small residential services, family homes or independently in the community. Nor are there any international comparisons at the European level of the health status and health risks of PWID living in fully staffed residential services with formal support and care compared with those living in unstaffed family homes or independent houses without formal support. A total of 1269 persons with ID and/or their proxy respondents were interviewed in 14 EU countries using the P15 multinational assessment battery to collect data on health indicators relevant to PWID. Participants were grouped according to their living arrangements, formal support and stage of deinstitutionalisation. Obesity and sedentary lifestyle were prevalent along with illnesses such as epilepsy, mental disorders, allergies or constipation. There were more cases of myocardial infarction, chronic bronchitis, osteoporosis and gastric or duodenal ulcers among participants in countries at the early stage of deinstitutionalisation. There were important deficits in variables related health promotion such as screening and vaccination in family homes and independent living arrangements. The authors point to the important differences between different living arrangements depending on the level of formal support available and the stage of deinstitutionalisation.
A five-country comparative review of accommodation support policies for older people with intellectual disability
- Author:
- BIGBY Christine
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Policy and Practice in Intellectual Disabilities, 7(1), March 2010, pp.3-15.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
Most developed countries have social policies which consider people with intellectual disability as citizens with equal rights, which suggest they should share similar goals to a healthy and active older person in the general community, and an expectation of the necessary supports to achieve this. This article, comparing the development and implementation of accommodation support programmes for people aging with intellectual disabilities in five modern welfare states (Australia, Canada, Ireland, the UK, and the US), describes the limited development of policies in this area and suggests possible reasons why this is the case. A review of the literature on aging policies for people with intellectual disability was conducted, which suggested that despite consistent identification of similar broad policy issues and overarching goals, little progress has been made in the development of more specific policies or implementation strategies to address issues associated with accommodation support as people age. The author concludes that policy debates which have conceptualised the problem as ageing in place and the shared responsibility of the care and disability sectors may have detracted from either sector leading the development of formulating, implementing, and resourcing a strong policy framework.
Healthy lifestyle behaviours for people with intellectual disabilities: an exploration of organizational barriers and enablers
- Authors:
- O'LEARY Lisa, TAGGART Laurence, COUSINS Wendy
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities, 31(Supplement S1), 2018, pp.122-135.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
Background: The health-related behaviours of people with intellectual disabilities may be determined by organisational influences. This innovative study aimed to explore managers’ and staffs’ perspectives on organisational influences on the promotion of healthy behaviours for this population. Method: A qualitative methodology was employed. Four focus groups with staff and eleven telephone interviews with managers were undertaken across three residential services in one region (Northern Ireland) of the UK. Transcripts were analysed thematically. Findings: The organisations involved in this study did not have the cultural ethos or capacity to sustain consistent support for staff involvement in health promotion. Organisational support and outcome-focused strategies are recommended for encouraging staff involvement in health promotion activities. Conclusion: These findings have implications for some organisations that support people with intellectual disabilities in improving the way they facilitate health promotion. They highlight the need for organisational cultures to facilitate knowledge translation and embrace evidence-based health promotion interventions. (Publisher abstract)
Growing older with learning disabilities: the GOLD programme
- Author:
- THOMPSON David
- Journal article citation:
- Tizard Learning Disability Review, 7(2), April 2002, pp.19-26.
- Publisher:
- Emerald
Provides an overview of the GOLD programme at the Foundation for people with Learning Disabilities. It describes the work of the 23 funded projects in a context of wider research concerning ageing and learning disabilities. Particular attention is given to those people living with older family carers and those living in residential services for older people. The picture is of services that offer little confidence for the future, as people with learning disabilities grow older.