Search results for ‘Subject term:"learning disabilities"’ Sort:
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Confidence of group home staff in supporting the health needs of older residents with intellectual disability
- Authors:
- WEBBER Ruth, BOWERS Barbara, BIGBY Christine
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Intellectual and Developmental Disability, 41(2), 2016, pp.107-114.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
Background: Increased life expectancy for people with intellectual disability is accompanied by increased age-related health concerns. People ageing with intellectual disability experience more health conditions and are relocated to aged care earlier than their age peers. Method: Group home staff were surveyed about their (a) training and confidence in 11 health conditions and 7 health procedures, and (b) attitude to relocating residents with health needs to aged care. Results: Staff training in each of 10 health conditions and 7 health procedures was positively associated with increased confidence in supporting residents with those health issues. Higher staff confidence in caring for residents with 9 conditions and requiring 4 procedures was negatively associated with a likelihood of recommending that a person with those health needs should relocate to aged care. Conclusions: Targeted training of staff in age-related health issues may contribute to better health care and delay residents relocating to aged care. (Publisher abstract)
Assisting individuals ageing with learning disability: support worker perspectives
- Authors:
- WARK Stuart, HUSSAIN Rafat, EDWARDS Helen
- Journal article citation:
- Tizard Learning Disability Review, 20(4), 2015, pp.213-222.
- Publisher:
- Emerald
Purpose: While ageing with an intellectual (learning) disability has been subject to increased research in recent years, there remains little knowledge regarding the daily practice issues that disability workers struggle most to support in this cohort. This paper aims to gain feedback directly from staff regarding the problems they experience in daily work, and to evaluate whether any changes to legislation or practice could potentially alleviate identified areas of concern. Design/methodology/approach: A Delphi project was conducted over three rounds with participants from rural areas of New South Wales (NSW). The panel was composed of support workers who assist people ageing with a learning disability. Participants were asked their perceptions of the main practice issues facing them while they provide support. Findings: The panel identified 29 issues that were considered problematic in the provision of support to people ageing with a learning disability. A thematic analysis indicated three main themes of access to services; time constraints; and funding. Research limitations/implications: The participants in this study were all disability workers employed by non-government organisations in rural NSW, and as such, many of the issues identified may be specific to this population cohort and geographic setting. Any generalisation of these results to other locations or populations must be considered within these limitations. Originality/value: Identification of the issues facing disability staff may facilitate government, health care providers and disability organisations to proactively plan to address current and future problem areas. The consequent effect of improving practices can assist individuals to receive better support and lead to a corresponding improvement in their quality of life. The current implementation of the National Disability Insurance Scheme in Australia is an ideal opportunity for cross-sectoral collaboration to change practice to facilitate better support for a highly vulnerable group of the community. (Publisher abstract)
A review of factors which potentially influence decisions in adult safeguarding investigations
- Author:
- TRAINOR Patricia
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Adult Protection, 17(1), 2015, pp.51-61.
- Publisher:
- Emerald
Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to look at safeguarding documentation in relation to 50 adult safeguarding files for the period April 2010 to March 2011. This was followed up with semi-structured interviews with a small number of Designated Officers whose role it is to screen referrals and coordinate investigations. Findings from the research were used to redesign regional adult safeguarding documentation to ensure Designated Officers have access to the information necessary to assist them in reaching decisions. Designated and Investigating Officer training was also updated to reflect learning from the research thereby reducing the potential for variation in practice. Design/methodology/approach: A file tool was developed which examined the recorded information in safeguarding documentation contained within 50 service user files. The review tool looked at the personal characteristics of the vulnerable adult, the nature of the alleged abuse and the decisions/outcomes reached by staff acting as safeguarding Designated Officers. A semi-structured interview schedule asked Designated Offices to comment on the training and understanding of the process as well as the factors they believed were central to the decision making process. Their responses were compared to data obtained from the file review. Findings: A key finding in the research was that while factors such as type of abuse, the vulnerable adults’ consent to cooperate with proceedings, identity of the referrer, etc. did influence decisions taken there was a lack of clarity on the part of Designated Officers in relation to their roles and responsibilities and of the process to be followed. Research limitations/implications: The research was limited to one Health & Social Care Trust area and had a small sample size (n=50). Practical implications: The findings of the research led to a revamping of existing safeguarding documentation which had failed to keep pace with developments and was no longer fit for purpose. Adult safeguarding training courses within the Trust were redesigned to bring greater focus to the role and responsibilities of designated and Investigating Officers and the stages in the safeguarding process. Adult Safeguarding leads were established within programmes of care and professional support mechanisms put in place for staff engaged in this area of work. Social implications: Better trained and supported staff alongside more efficient safeguarding systems should lead to better outcomes in the protection of vulnerable people from abuse and harm. Originality/value: The research built on existing albeit limited research into what potentially influences staff involved in critical decision-making processes within adult safeguarding. (Publisher abstract)
The training needs of staff supporting individuals ageing with intellectual disability
- Authors:
- WARK Stuart, HUSSAIN Rafat, EDWARDS Helen
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities, 27(3), 2014, pp.273-288.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
Background: The issue of ageing within the cohort of people with intellectual disabilities has been an increasing focus for research. However, the training needs of the staff who support them has not been subject of extensive examination. Materials and Methods: A multiround Delphi project was conducted focusing upon the impact ageing issues have on the support provided by disability workers, and what training is required to address the identified areas. Results: Three rounds of the Delphi identified twenty-six separate important issues. A thematic analysis identified five main themes including Generic Training Issues; Medical Issues; Emerging Ageing Issues Requiring Changing Support; Mental Health Issues; and Quality of Life. Conclusions: The study identified a series of training priorities for staff assisting people ageing with an intellectual disability. It would appear possible for many training programmes to be developed and delivered with minimal cost impacts even within rural localities. (Original abstract)
Support workers' knowledge about dementia: a vignette study
- Authors:
- HERRON Daniel L., PRIEST Helena M.
- Journal article citation:
- Advances in Mental Health and Intellectual Disabilities, 7(1), 2013, pp.27-39.
- Publisher:
- Emerald
Because of the relationships they build, support workers can play a vital role in recognising and attending to the mental health needs of service users with intellectual disabilities. However, many lack the knowledge, skills and confidence to identify and respond appropriately. This paper focuses on the mental health of older people with intellectual disabilities. Fourteen support workers, working in one UK county, completed a questionnaire in which three vignettes presented progressively worsening indicators of dementia in an older person with intellectual disabilities. Participants explained what they thought was happening and what action they would take. Few of the participants had any mental health training, and only one in relation to older people. They were generally poor at judging early and intermediate indicators of dementia, sometimes attributing these to changes in routine or difficulty in communicating needs. The support workers were able to identify more overt later signs but believed these advanced indicators to be the onset of dementia. Proposed action was however appropriate, for example observation and referral. Abuse was often considered as a causal factor. The authors believe that their findings demonstrate the need for training in the mental health needs of older people, in particular, the general and specific indicators and expected trajectory of dementia in this population.
Sweeping all before them
- Author:
- MILLER Alison
- Journal article citation:
- Community Care, 23.1.03, 2003, pp.32-33.
- Publisher:
- Reed Business Information
Reports on a London based project which provides training and employment for people with learning difficulties, whilst also providing help to older people in the community with their cleaning and gardening.
Ageing matters: pathways for older people with a learning disability; unit one; introduction; working with older people with a learning disability
- Authors:
- HARRIS John, BENNETT Lucille, HOGG James
- Publisher:
- British Institute of Learning Disabilities
- Publication year:
- 1997
- Pagination:
- 35p.
- Place of publication:
- Kidderminster
Unit one of a set of training materials aimed at staff working with older people with learning difficulties. This section introduces ageing and using the right words, looks at attitudes towards ageing and goes on to examine the effects of increasing age on people with learning difficulties. Concludes with a chapter on helping people to adapt as they grow older and a summary of points of practice.
Housing with care and support: a snapshot of the sector and its challenges and opportunities
- Author:
- SKILLS FOR CARE
- Publisher:
- Skills for Care
- Publication year:
- 2017
- Pagination:
- 36
- Place of publication:
- Leeds
Using five in-depth case studies of housing with care and support providers, this paper explores the strategic and operational issues they face, the influence these have on their workforce and what they saw as the future challenges ahead. The five case studies focused on extra care housing for older people and supported living for people with learning disabilities. The services were set up using different delivery models, some splitting the landlord function from the housing support function and some separating the housing from the care function, with some keeping all three together. Issues discussed include: the structure of the service and its effect on learning and development, workforce planning; recruitment and retention; progression and career development; and partnership, integration and changing expectations of commissioners and their influence on the workforce. Common themes identified across the sites included: challenges in recruitment and retention; lone working as a factor in poor staff retention; and an increasing number of people with high levels of need living in extra care housing, placing the model at risk. Common gaps in learning included mental health, substance dependence, anti-social behaviour, challenging behaviour and preventing loneliness. (Edited publisher abstract)
Growing health disparities for persons who are aging with intellectual and developmental disabilities: the social work linchpin
- Authors:
- ROBINSON Laura M., et al
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Gerontological Social Work, 55(2), February 2012, pp.175-190.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- Philadelphia, USA
Like the wider population, adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) are living longer; into their 70s and beyond. Health care disparities have been well-documented for this vulnerable and underserved population. The authors’ aim in this discussion was to draw attention to the limited presence of social workers in the IDD field, the lack of educational opportunities to support current and future social workers in this field and the impact of these trends on the health disparities experienced by people ageing with IDD. Social workers are often responsible for assessment, coordination of care, and negotiation of necessary and appropriate services for people with IDD. The authors explore the challenges facing social workers in meeting the growing health and social needs of aging adults with IDD and their families.
Managing aggressive behaviour in care settings: understanding and applying low arousal approaches
- Author:
- MCDONNELL Andrew A.
- Publisher:
- Wiley-Blackwell
- Publication year:
- 2010
- Pagination:
- 257p., bibliog.
- Place of publication:
- Chichester
Challenging behaviours can be encountered regularly in various care settings. This book aims to provide care givers with helpful guidance and the practical skills necessary to manage these aggressive behaviours. It traces the development and evaluation of the low arousal approach, a staff-based intervention that focuses on reducing levels of arousal in crisis situations. This non-confrontational approach encompasses de-escalation strategies and physical management within a clear person-centred philosophy. The book describes the development of a core 3-day training course to help carers to manage challenging behaviours. It outlines the application of this training to a variety of different care environments, such as intellectual disabilities, autism, mental health services of children and adults, and services for older adults. For each of these areas, background advice is provided on managing aggressive behaviour that is relevant to the particular area, and case studies are presented. Research evidence for the effectiveness of staff training in physical interventions is reviewed. The final chapter examines many of the important themes raised in the book.