Search results for ‘Subject term:"learning disabilities"’ Sort:
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Premature deaths - how many could be avoided?
- Authors:
- MARRIOTT Anna, HESLOP Pauline
- Journal article citation:
- Community Living, 27(1), 2013, pp.26-27.
- Publisher:
- Hexagon Publishing
An inquiry into premature deaths among people with learning disabilities revealed that over a third could have been avoided through good quality health care. The authors, who were part of the research team, report on their findings. (Publisher abstract)
Towards the prevention of behavioural and psychiatric disorders in people with intellectual disabilities
- Authors:
- ALLEN David, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities, 26(6), 2013, pp.501-514.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
Intervention for behavioural and psychiatric disorders in people with intellectual disabilities often only takes place once these conditions are well established and more resistant to change. As an alternative, this paper promotes a public health prevention model and maps out opportunities for intervention at primary, secondary and tertiary levels. The resulting model is partly derived from generic research into these issues and partly on specific evidence on interventions for people with intellectual disabilities; it also contains more theoretical considerations. The additional research that is necessary to demonstrate the efficacy of the interventions identified is also considered. Central to this proposal is a greater integration of issues for people with intellectual disabilities within much broader policy and research agendas. (Publisher abstract)
The use of mechanical restraint with people who engage in severe self-injurious behaviour: impact on support staff
- Authors:
- BETHEL Nichola, BEAIL Nigel
- Journal article citation:
- Advances in Mental Health and Intellectual Disabilities, 7(5), 2013, pp.312-318.
- Publisher:
- Emerald
Purpose: There continues to be a small group of people who have intellectual disabilities who need some form of restraint in their support plan due to their self-injurious behaviour. The mechanical restraint restricts their freedom of movement to help prevent injury. Despite the growing literature on the use of such devices, there is very limited literature looking at the impact the use of mechanical restraints has upon service users and support staff using them. The aim of this study was to ascertain the experiences of support staff who apply the restraints to the people they support. Design/methodology/approach – Qualitative methodology was utilised. A semi-structured interview was conducted with nine support workers who: directly worked with a client with intellectual disabilities who engage in self-injurious behaviours; followed positive behavioural support plans developed with a multi-disciplinary team; applied restraints as a response to severe self-injurious behaviours to prevent harm; and they had to have been directly involved in the application and removal of the mechanical restraints in the last week. Content analysis utilising emergent coding was used to analyse the data. Findings: All participants described using mechanical restraints as having a negative impact upon them. Participants said they manage the negative impact by reframing, inhibiting their emotions, following support plans closely and gaining support from other staff. Participants described concerns and unmet needs regarding whether they were applying the restraints correctly, the responsibility of teaching others to use restraints, not feeling prepared on starting their current job and that the impact/concerns of using restraints is not talked about. Recommendations for practice are made. Originality/value: This is the first study to explore the views of care staff who are required to use mechanical restraint. It provides insight on the impact of this on them. (Publisher abstract)
Winterbourne - why it happened and how to prevent it happening again.
- Author:
- COTTIS Tamsin
- Journal article citation:
- Community Living, 26(4), 2013, pp.20-21.
- Publisher:
- Hexagon Publishing
Respond has been commissioned by the Department of Health to provide support for the patients abused in Winterbourne View Hospital. The author describes how Respond is looking forward to playing their part in preventing such scandals ever happening again. (Publisher abstract)
Framework for reducing restrictive practices
- Author:
- PALEY-WAKEFIELD Sharon
- Publisher:
- British Institute of Learning Disabilities
- Publication year:
- 2013
- Place of publication:
- Birmingham
This practical book provides a framework for organisations to identify and review what is happening in their services and then to actively reduce their reliance on restrictive practices at an individual and systemic level. Its purpose is to promote the development of ‘restraint free’ environments for vulnerable people, as advocated by BILD. The approaches suggested will lead to improvement within services, a reduction in the use of restrictive practices, as well as a better quality of life for people with intellectual disabilities with additional complex behaviour and/or mental health needs. The book includes an introduction to the framework and a toolkit element that puts the ideas and principles presented into practice. (Edited publisher abstract)
Preventing dependency, promoting independence: a researcher's perspective
- Author:
- EMERSON Eric
- Journal article citation:
- Tizard Learning Disability Review, 18(4), 2013, pp.2--202.
- Publisher:
- Emerald
Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to discuss how research can support a renewed focus on the promotion of independence and the prevention of avoidable dependency. Design/methodology/approach: Narrative review and discussion. Findings: Generating practice-based evidence, exploiting the possibilities of existing administrative data and learning from the world of public health may offer some ways forward. Originality/value : Potential priorities for future research are identified. (Publisher abstract)
Seeking to prevent residential care for young people with intellectual disabilities and challenging behaviour: examples and early outcomes from the Ealing ITSBS
- Authors:
- REID Caroline, SHOLL Catherine, GORE Nick
- Journal article citation:
- Tizard Learning Disability Review, 18(4), 2013, pp.171-178.
- Publisher:
- Emerald
Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to present early outcomes and case examples from the Ealing Intensive Therapeutic and Short Break Service. Design/methodology/approach: The service was piloted over a period of 3.5 years during which clinical data were collected for young people at risk of a move to residential care. Findings: here were positive outcomes for young people with intellectual disabilities and challenging behaviour who were seen through the service with residential placements prevented in the vast majority of cases. Originality/value: These early outcomes highlight the importance of providing intensive therapeutic intervention with short breaks in order to prevent family placement breakdown. (Publisher abstract)
Prevention: wrestling with new economic realities
- Author:
- KNAPP Martin
- Journal article citation:
- Tizard Learning Disability Review, 18(4), 2013, pp.186-191.
- Publisher:
- Emerald
Purpose : The purpose of this paper is to discuss the economic pressures on long-term care systems, and describe how an economic case might be made for better care, support and preventive strategies. Design/methodology/approach: Discussion of recent developments and research responses, with illustrations from previous studies. Findings: Economics evidence is highly relevant to decision makers in health, social care, and related systems. When resources are especially tight, economics evidence can sometimes persuade uncertain commissioners and others to adopt courses of action that improve the wellbeing of individuals, families, and communities. Originality/value: The paper uses long-established approaches in economic evaluation to discuss preventive and other strategies in today's challenging context. (Publisher abstract)
Views and values of developmental disabilities and domestic violence/sexual assault support professionals regarding the prevention and handling of situations of abuse
- Authors:
- HICKSON Linda, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Policy and Practice in Intellectual Disabilities, 10(3), 2013, pp.207-214.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
The perspectives of 55 support professionals working with adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities I/DD in were assessed relative to those of 16 support professionals working in the area of domestic violence/sexual assault (DV/SA) in the United States regarding various aspects of abuse prevention and the risk factors that may contribute to the vulnerability of people with I/DD to abuse. Participants in both groups included psychologists, social workers, supervisors, and directors or coordinators of services. Their responses to a set of decision-making scenarios involving abuse were also compared. Results indicated that both groups were almost unanimous in their belief that it was important to provide abuse prevention training to individuals with I/DD, their families, and their service providers. However, the DV/SA support professionals saw people with I/DD as generally more vulnerable to abuse than did the I/DD support professionals. Furthermore, the DV/SA support professionals placed more importance on environmental and cultural sources of vulnerability than did I/DD support professionals, who emphasized characteristics of the potential victim, such as self-empowerment. Finally, the two groups showed different patterns of responses to some decision-making situations. Taken as a whole, the findings support the need to develop effective interventions and to foster increased communication and collaboration among I/DD and DV/SA support professionals. (Edited publisher abstract)
Derogation of “duty of care” in favour of “choice”?
- Authors:
- GILL Janet, FAZIL Qulsom
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Adult Protection, 15(5), 2013, pp.258-270.
- Publisher:
- Emerald
Purpose: Chronic health conditions such as obesity and type 2 diabetes are higher in individuals with learning disabilities and significantly affect both quality of life and longevity. Healthy eating is an important factor in preventing these chronic conditions. The study reported here explored the role paid carers played in promoting healthy eating and how they managed the daily dilemma of balancing residents’ right to make unhealthy food choices against carers’ “duty of care”. Design/methodology/approach: Semi-structured interviews were undertaken with a purposive sample of six residential paid carers. Interviews were transcribed and then analysed using a thematic approach. Findings: This small study highlights the challenges that staff face when balancing food choice against “duty of care”. It highlights that when working with less able residents, carers are motivated by “best interests”, to place boundaries and restrictions on food access and choice. It confirms previous studies that increased levels of choice for higher ability residents, often results in less healthy food choices. The study describes a lack of policy, guidance and specific training for paid carers which results in them using their personal subjective values as a basis for decision making. Originality/value: Since the publication of “Valuing People” (Department of Health, 2001) the core principles of residential services changed direction towards independence and choice. This study expands our knowledge on how paid carers make sense of the everyday conflicts between choice and “duty of care” when residents continue to make unhealthy food choices affecting their physical health. (Publisher abstract)