Search results for ‘Subject term:"learning disabilities"’ Sort:
Results 1 - 3 of 3
The power of population health data on aging and intellectual and developmental disabilities: reactions of knowledge users
- Authors:
- MARTIN Lynn, OUELLETTE-KUNTZ Helene, McKENZIE Katherine
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Policy and Practice in Intellectual Disabilities, 14(4), 2017, p.268–278.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
Recent work in Ontario (Canada) revealed that adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities experience higher rates of frailty and use of ageing care services at earlier ages than the general population, and that the subset aged 65+ years is increasing. This paper describes the reaction of knowledge users to study findings and implications for policy and practice. A knowledge transfer webinar was held with nearly 200 people representing different regions of the province, participant types (family members, service providers, decision makers, researchers), and sectors (health and developmental services). Most participants viewed health and developmental services systems as not ready for the ageing population with intellectual and developmental disabilities for two main reasons: insufficient cross-sector expertise and inadequate funding. The need for healthcare, challenged informal supports, lack of services, and the desire for independence were thought to drive higher use of home care among younger adults, while inadequacies within the developmental services sector, challenged informal supports, medical and care needs, lack of community supports, and the need for coordinated cross-sector services were noted as contributing to admissions to long-term care. There is a lack of evidence-based information on ageing and intellectual and developmental disabilities. Ongoing access to quality, population-level data on the number and needs of persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities is needed to improve policies and practices to support ageing in the community. Persons working in health and developmental services had a shared understanding of the need for system reform, better collaboration, and integration of resources. Both sectors also viewed admission to long-term care as particularly problematic. The province-wide webinar brought together persons with various levels of responsibility from different sectors. Future exchanges should focus on identifying and promoting best practices. (Edited publisher abstract)
Care in the community: home care use among adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities over time
- Authors:
- MARTIN Lynn, OUELLET-KUNTZ Helene, McKENZIE Katherine
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Policy and Practice in Intellectual Disabilities, 14(3), 2017, pp.251-254.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
Community-based healthcare services have quickly evolved over the last few decades to respond to the growing population of older adults, and their desire to remain independent in the community. In Ontario, Canada, deinstitutionalization has resulted in all persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities living and ageing, in the community. This paper compares use of home care services in Ontario among adults (age 18–99 years) with and without intellectual and developmental disabilities over time. Home care use over a 5-year period was compared between a cohort of 46,008 adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities and a random sample of 3,272,080 adults without intellectual and developmental disabilities. Persons with and without intellectual and developmental disabilities received similar types of home care services. Adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities had much higher rates of admission to home care, and at much earlier ages. While this remained true over time, slight differences by age were noted between groups. Higher use at earlier ages suggests that home care services are responding to the needs of adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Future research should identify (or develop) best practices for promoting independence in the community for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities with healthcare needs. (Edited publisher abstract)
Applying a general measure of frailty to assess the aging related needs of adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities
- Authors:
- McKENZIE Katherine, OUELLETTE-KUNTZ Helene, MARTIN Lynn
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Policy and Practice in Intellectual Disabilities, 14(2), 2017, pp.124-128.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
Adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities often experience premature ageing and high levels of frailty. Frailty characterises health complexities and identifies adults with increased risks for adverse outcomes. This paper compared the prevalence of frailty amongst adults (aged 18-99 years) with and without intellectual and developmental disabilities. Frailty was measured using the Frailty Marker, based on the Adjusted Clinical Groups-Predicative Model, and was compared between a cohort of 51,138 adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities and a random sample of 3,272,080 adults without intellectual developmental disabilities. Approximately 9% of persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities were frail, compared to only 3% of persons without intellectual and developmental disabilities. Women, older adults, and adults with mental illness or addiction(s), were more likely to be frail. Adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities are increasingly vulnerable as they age. However, to appropriately characterise frailty in this population, measures should be more inclusive of health characteristics and fluctuations that are related to frailty. Future research should investigate alternative measures of frailty for persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities, including measures derived from standardised health assessments, to meet the needs of the ageing population. (Edited publisher abstract)