Search results for ‘Subject term:"learning disabilities"’ Sort:
Results 1 - 9 of 9
Abuse, neglect, and exploitation: considerations in aging with lifelong disabilities
- Authors:
- ANSELLO Edward F., O'NEILL Peggy
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Elder Abuse and Neglect, 22(1-2), January 2010, pp.105-130.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- Philadelphia, USA
This article reviews existing data primarily from North America, but including Australia and Ireland, for factors known to contribute to the victimisation of older adults with lifelong learning disabilities. Many “are relatively high functioning, engaged and happy members of their communities”, but some, are or have been abused, neglected or subject to exploitation, and the prevalence of such maltreatment is discussed. Existing data is also scanned for the treatments currently in practice and the authors suggest initiatives to build further on continued community living, by improving upon preventive practices and identification techniques. The authors discuss why there greater risk of abuse for those with lifelong disabilities and why these are underreported. Consequences of maltreatment are listed, followed by the issues and needs of family carers, such as the lack of long-term planning until crisis point. The authors suggest recommendations for practice, such as adapting mental health interventions, and implications for public policies on prevention and identification.
Consumer-directed goal planning in the delivery of assistive technology services for people who are ageing with intellectual disabilities
- Authors:
- MIRZA Mansha, HAMMEL Joy
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities, 22(5), September 2009, pp.445-457.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
A consumer-directed service-delivery approach to assistive technology and environmental modification intervention in the US was examined with people who were ageing with intellectual disabilities. The intervention was based on a collaborative approach involving consumers, their social supports and service deliverers. Thirty individuals were randomly selected to receive the intervention from a sample of 75 community-dwelling adults. Outcomes related to consumers' and significant others' perceptions of performance and satisfaction with goal attainment were assessed and the consumer-directed goal planning process examined. Participants in the intervention group reported significantly higher levels of performance and satisfaction related to goals identified at baseline than participants in the control group. Two broad categories of goals were addressed during the intervention – basic self-care goals and participation/environmental/systems level goals. A 98% direct agreement rate between consumer-identified goals and goals addressed by service deliverers was found during the intervention. Of the environmental strategies employed during the intervention, assistive devices and systems level advocacy and action were the two most frequently used across goals.
Aspects of cognitive functioning in adults with intellectual disabilities
- Authors:
- PERKINS Elizabeth A., SMALL Brent J.
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Policy and Practice in Intellectual Disabilities, 3(3), September 2006, pp.181-194.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
This literature review examines age-related differences in specific aspects of cognitive functioning and cognitive performance of people with ID and Alzheimer's disease (AD), as well as what maybe be protective and risk factors. Training interventions designed to enhance cognitive performance are also reviewed. The authors note that greater efforts are needed with respect to delineating the function and deficits in cognitive domains within aging adults. Methodological issues that merit further attention includes utilizing appropriate age ranges and assessment of intra-individual variability in statistical analysis of cognitive performance. While, consideration should be given to the continued development of specific cognitive tasks and tests that have been developed, validated, and normed for this population, there is still a critical need for more longitudinal data with multiple time points, to assess and track trajectories of change over time, especially as cohort effects of residential living, and educational and vocational opportunities have varied so widely over the last 30 years, and are likely to be a substantial confounding factor. Furthermore, efforts need to ensure that instruments continue to be developed with specificity and sensitivity to detect pathological deficits in AD-related performance. Lastly, greater research attention is warranted to describe and meet the needs of the burgeoning aging population of people with ID. This will ultimately guide policy makers to develop better practice protocols to maximize cognitive function in normative and pathological aging.
Stay well and healthy!: pilot study findings from an inhome preventive healthcare programme for persons ageing with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities
- Authors:
- ARONOW Harriet Udin, HAHN Joan Earle
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities, 18(2), June 2005, pp.163-173.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
This pilot study evaluated the feasibility of two in-home interventions designed to reduce health risks and improve health outcomes among persons ageing with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Two hundred and one adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, aged 32 and over living in non-institutional settings were recruited and assigned to either an advance practice nurse (APN) intervention of in-home multidimensional assessment, targeted recommendations and follow-up visits (n = 101) or an inhome health risk appraisal (HRA) with printed feedback only (n = 100). The development and pilot testing of the interventions, assessment tools and methods demonstrated feasibility in the population from mild to moderate intellectual and developmental disabilities. In addition, high levels of health risks were identified in the sample suggesting the need for effective interventions. Both pilot groups showed significant reduction in health risks between baseline and follow-up. Further rigorous randomized field trials are required to test the effectiveness of each intervention. The authors conclude that community-based preventive interventions are feasible for randomized trials in this population.
A pilot of a gerontological advanced practice nurse preventive intervention
- Authors:
- HAHN Joan Earle, ARONOW Harriet Udin
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities, 18(2), June 2005, pp.131-142.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
Persons with an intellectual and developmental disability frequently face barriers in accessing preventive services in community-based health care systems. This American study presents a description of an advanced practice nurse (APN) intervention used in a pilot study that explored the feasibility of using an in-home preventive model based on a comprehensive geriatric assessment with persons ageing with an intellectual and developmental disability. The APN intervention was fully provided to a sub-sample (n = 70) of 201 participants with an intellectual and developmental disability enrolled in a programme called 'Stay Well and Healthy!' The APN intervention included an initial home visit for a comprehensive geriatric assessment with follow-up home visits to review health status and assess adherence with recommendations and provide education and support to promote health and prevent functional decline. Advanced practice nurses identified a number of active health-related problems for persons ageing with an intellectual and developmental disability that had potential effects on function and survival. The majority of recommendations were for clinical preventive services and self-care for health-related issues. This study showed that there were problems consistent with persons ageing with an intellectual and developmental disability and older adults without disability. The in-home preventive APN intervention to promote healthy ageing and reduce health disparities in this population is feasible, needed, and warrants further study.
Well, we’ve all got to get old haven’t we?:reflections of older people with intellectual disabilities
- Author:
- THOMPSON David
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Gerontological Social Work, 37(3/4), 2002, pp.7-23.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- Philadelphia, USA
The findings of a qualitative study of the perceptions and experiences of a select group of aging older people with intellectual disabilities are reported. The study data were drawn from the collective responses of 242 questionnaires completed by a group of older people with intellectual disabilities (ID) and their carers in the United Kingdom. The study was designed to provide qualitative insight into the lives of a select group of older adults from the vantage point of their perceptions and memories. Results suggest that the physical changes associated with aging do not appear to be a major concern for older people with ID. What is more of concern are other changes, only some of which are related to aging (such as, changes in the services and family circumstances).
Healthy ageing - adults with intellectual disabilities: biobehavioural issues
- Authors:
- THORPE L., DAVIDSON P., JANICKI M.
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities, 14(3), 2001, pp.218-228.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
This report has been prepared by the Ageing Special Interest Research Group of the International Association for the Scientific Study of Intellectual Disabilities (IASSID) in collaboration with the Department of Mental of Health and Substance Dependence and the Programme on Ageing and Health, World Health Organisation (WHO), Geneva, Switzerland.
Ageing and mental handicap
- Authors:
- HOGG James, MOSS Steve, COOKE Diana
- Publisher:
- Croom Helm
- Publication year:
- 1988
- Pagination:
- 411p., tables, diags., bibliog.
- Place of publication:
- London
With increased longevity of mentally handicapped people, there is an urgent need for policy issues and priorities for their needs. Gives a comprehensive overview of issues.
A comprehensive guide to intellectual and developmental disabilities
- Authors:
- BROWN Ivan, PERCY Maire
- Publisher:
- Paul H. Brookes
- Publication year:
- 2007
- Pagination:
- 768p., bibliog.
- Place of publication:
- Baltimore, MD
This comprehensive textbook on children and adults with learning disabilities contains contributions from over 70 authors. These include experts, disability leaders and family members. Its forty five chapters are organised in five main sections. The first section, an overview of intellectual and developmental disabilities, covers: definitions, an historical overview of intellectual disabilities, human rights and advocacy. The second section contains individual chapters on a range of different conditions including Down Syndrome, Fragile X Syndrome, Autism, Aspergers Syndrome, Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder, and ADHD. Section three, support and intervention, includes chapters on person-centred support, behavioural interventions, and the role of diversity in psychological assessment and intervention. Section four covers development of disabilities through the life span and chapters include early childhood, education, transition to adult life, sexuality, parenting and ageing. Section five, which is on health, includes chapters on: the ethics of consent, physical health, nutrition and the implications of Alzheimer's Disease for people with Down Syndrome and other intellectual disabilities. A final chapter in section six discusses current advances and a vision for the future. The publication is relevant for a wide audience, including students, direct care staff, social workers, academics and policy makers.