Search results for ‘Subject term:"learning disabilities"’ Sort:
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Being researchers for the first time: reflections on the development of an inclusive research group
- Author:
- TILLY Liz
- Journal article citation:
- British Journal of Learning Disabilities, 43(2), 2015, pp.121-127.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
Money, Friends and Making Ends Meet was an inclusive research project; it enabled a group of people with a learning disability who do not receive specialist support services to explore their own lives. This group are often labelled as having a mild learning disability. The research project focused on the strategies they used to cope with day to day living, their experiences of poverty and the support received from their social networks and social capital. The group members found participation in the research project enabled them to have a voice, identify the social barriers in their lives and gave them support and confidence to take action about them and so resolve some of their difficulties. They also embraced the label of learning disability and wanted staff in front-line services to be aware of this, so they had greater understanding and support. This article is written by the instigator of the research group, but with a central part written by the group members in their own words. It focusses on how participation in the research project had a major impact on the group members as they moved from individuals involved in a short term research project to an established research group with its own motivation and direction. The group has since received further grant funding to research the effects of the welfare reform on their lives, and some have completed a bespoke accredited course on doing inclusive research. (Publisher abstract)
The influence of staff training on challenging behaviour in individuals with intellectual disability: a review
- Authors:
- COX Alison D., DUBE Charmayne, TEMPLE Beverley
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Intellectual Disabilities, 19(1), 2015, pp.69-82.
- Publisher:
- Sage
- Place of publication:
- London
Many individuals with intellectual disability engage in challenging behaviour. This can significantly limit quality of life and also negatively impact caregivers (e.g., direct care staff, family caregivers and teachers). Fortunately, efficacious staff training may alleviate some negative side effects of client challenging behaviour. Currently, a systematic review of studies evaluating whether staff training influences client challenging behaviour has not been conducted. The purpose of this article was to identify emerging patterns, knowledge gaps and make recommendations for future research on this topic. The literature search resulted in a total of 19 studies that met our inclusion criteria. Articles were separated into four staff training categories. Studies varied across sample size, support staff involved in training, study design, training duration and data collection strategy. A small sample size (n = 19) and few replication studies, alongside several other procedural limitations prohibited the identification of a best practice training approach. (Publisher abstract)
A 10-year plan for quality living for people with disabilities and their carers
- Authors:
- CRAIG Jocelyn E., CARTWRIGHT Collen
- Journal article citation:
- British Journal of Learning Disabilities, 43(4), 2015, pp.302-309.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
Background: The concerns of older carers of an adult with disabilities have been well documented. The sudden incapacity or death of the carer can result in a crisis response rather than a planned transition to a chosen sustainable alternative care arrangement for the person with disability. Building on previous ‘Futures Planning’ projects, the aim of this project was to enrich the lives of people with disabilities and their carers whilst ensuring that their wishes for the future are documented to provide security. Materials and Methods: This article reports on information sessions and workshops that were held for people with disabilities, their carers and staff, and the training sessions for staff for this project. Results: The sessions underlined the fact that people with disabilities want to enjoy the same experiences that most other people enjoy. Drawing on the ideas and suggestions from participants, the ‘Futures Planning’ documents were modified to meet the aims of the Quality Living project, making them suitable for planning for quality living for the carer and the person with a disability for the next 10 years. Conclusions: Findings supported the concept that planning allows people with disabilities and their carers to take steps to achieve their dreams. (Publisher abstract)
How do people with learning disabilities experience and make sense of the ageing process?
- Authors:
- NEWBERRY Gayle, MARTIN Carol, ROBBINS Lorna
- Journal article citation:
- British Journal of Learning Disabilities, 43(4), 2015, pp.285-292.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
Background: This article draws on the first author's doctoral research study which explores how people with learning disabilities experience and make sense of the ageing process and old age. Materials and Methods: Seven people with learning disabilities aged 60 or more were interviewed, and their accounts were analysed using interpretative phenomenological analysis. This approach allows the participant's lived experience to be explored in detail. Participants' accounts were analysed individually, followed by a group analysis. This article presents the results of the group analysis, illustrated by quotes from individuals. Results: The master themes arising from the group analysis were as follows: quality of relationships is central to enjoyment of life, including subthemes on the importance of affection and companionship, distress at lack of closeness and anxiety about ability to satisfy others; powerlessness; needing a sense of purpose; and making sense of getting older, including subthemes on reactions to changes with age, life review and looking to the future. Conclusions: Clinical implications of the findings include the need for services to support older people with learning disabilities in maintaining friendships and meaningful activities. This study demonstrates that some older people with learning disabilities can engage in a process of life review and raises the possibility that learning disability services could play a useful role in facilitating this process. Understanding of the ageing process varied between participants and tended towards a negative, stereotypical view of ageing. The findings suggest that people with learning disabilities could benefit from psychoeducation on the ageing process to aid them in making sense of the changes they experience as they get older. (Edited publisher abstract)
Does supported living work for people with severe intellectual disabilities?
- Authors:
- MARLOW Elizabeth, WALKER Nina
- Journal article citation:
- Advances in Mental Health and Intellectual Disabilities, 9(6), 2015, pp.338-351.
- Publisher:
- Emerald
Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to look at whether a move to a supported living model of care from traditional residential group homes could improve the quality of life for those with a severe intellectual disability and other challenging needs. Design/methodology/approach: Six men with severe intellectual disabilities moved from two residential homes into new-build individual flats. Their quality of life was measured using a battery of assessments looking at; environment, relationships, community participation, interactions, mood interest and pleasure, activities, physical health and challenging behaviour. These measures were taken before the move, immediately after and six months after the move. The views of staff and family carers were also assessed at each stage. Findings: The move had a positive effect on the tenants in that it caused an improvement in their mood and a decrease in their challenging behaviours. Further improvements could be made in the tenant’s quality of life by introducing more activities. The initial concerns of family members about the move decreased over time. However staff found the changes to their working practices stressful. Research limitations/implications: The study was a small scale one because of the small number of tenants. The tenants were unable to express their own views because of their limited communication abilities so a combination of direct observation and indirect measures were used. Practical implications: In the light of the Winterbourne view report by Stephen Bubb this study looks at the impact on quality of life of a move to supported living for a group of people with complex and challenging needs who might otherwise be placed in an out of borough placement similar to Winterbourne view. Social implications: The study also looks at the impact of such a move on the family members of the individuals and on the staff who had to change their working practices to adapt to both a new working environment and model of care. Originality/value: This study also looks at the impact of a model of supported living for people with severe intellectual disabilities and complex needs rather than those with mild intellectual disabilities. This is particularly important in the post Winterbourne view climate when the authors need to look carefully at positive alternative models of care for these individuals. (Publisher abstract)
Staff perceptions of the quality of life of individuals with an intellectual disability who transition from a residential campus to community living in Ireland: an exploratory study
- Authors:
- KILROY Sarah J., et al
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Intellectual and Developmental Disability, 40(1), 2015, pp.68-77.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
Background: This study explores the quality of life (QoL) of individuals with a severe intellectual disability (ID) who had recently moved from an institutional setting (i.e., “residential campus”) to independent housing in the community (i.e., “community living”) and whether aspects of their QoL were perceived to have changed over the course of this move. Method: A qualitative approach was adopted by interviewing the key workers of 8 individuals with an ID (M age = 37.38, range: 26–44, male n = 6, female n = 2). An interview tool focusing on aspects of QoL was utilised and the interviews were analysed using thematic analysis (Braun & Clarke, 2006). Results: Ten themes emerged from the analysis that provided insight into the experience of transitioning to community living. Conclusions: The emotional wellbeing, health, privacy, freedom, and material wellbeing of all the individuals were perceived to have improved, as well as independence, choice, and social opportunities for many. (Publisher abstract)
Shared-life communities for people with a learning disability: a review of evidence
- Author:
- CUMELLA Stuart
- Publisher:
- University of Birmingham. School of Social Policy
- Publication year:
- 2015
- Pagination:
- 13
- Place of publication:
- Birmingham
A review of the evidence from research about shared-life communities for people with a learning disability, summarising the results from the small number of academic studies which have attempted to measure the quality of life of people with a learning disability living in such communities. This study shows how shared-life communities facilitate a high quality of life for their residents with a learning disability and in particular: high levels of meaningful employment - residents are able to work full time in a range of unskilled and skilled work essential to the daily life and economy of the community, while also exercising choice over where they are able to work; opportunities for friendship - a shared-life communities provide a large clustering of potential friends with the opportunity to meet in workplace and informal settings, while ease of communication enables friendships to be sustained; and long-term relationships - living in extended families in a long-term social relationship with co-workers/assistants enables both groups to become familiar with each other’s pattern of communication. (Edited publisher abstract)
Job stress, burnout and job satisfaction in staff working with people with intellectual disabilities: community and criminal justice care
- Authors:
- SONDENAA Erik, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Intellectual Disabilities and Offending Behaviour, 6(1), 2015, pp.42-52.
- Publisher:
- Emerald
Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to examine and compare levels of burnout, traumatic stress and resilience amongst Norwegian nursing care staff in two intellectual disability (ID) services. Design/methodology/approach: This was a cross-sectional survey in which 137 staff completed questionnaires measuring work-related stress, burnout, compassion and resilience. Two groups were compared; staff in the national forensic ID services and staff in the community ID caring services. Findings: Nursing staff in the community ID caring services had significantly more signs of stress and burnout compared to the other group. At the same time they were more compassionate. Originality/value: The different caring cultures examined in this study indicated that the forensic ID staff tended to focus on the physical aspects of the caring role whilst the community ID staff tended to focus on the relational issues. The impact of serious events resulted in a higher level of stress and burnout symptoms, however the community carers showed more compassion to their work. (Publisher abstract)
Dementia and people with intellectual disabilities: guidance on the assessment, diagnosis, interventions and support of people with intellectual disabilities who develop dementia
- Authors:
- BRITISH PSYCHOLOGICAL SOCIETY, ROYAL COLLEGE OF PSYCHIATRISTS
- Publisher:
- British Psychological Society
- Publication year:
- 2015
- Pagination:
- 146
- Place of publication:
- Leicester
Guidance for professionals working in clinical and social care services to help improve the quality of life of people with intellectual disabilities who develop dementia, focusing on assessment, diagnosis, interventions and support. The guidance is aimed at clinicians in intellectual disabilities and older peoples’ mental health services and services for younger people with dementia. It is a revision to the original joint British Psychological Society and the Royal College of Psychiatrists (2009) guidance on dementia and people with intellectual disabilities and has been updated using both the current research literature and the experience of senior clinicians working in the field. The guidance covers the following key topics: epidemiology; baseline assessment and monitoring; possible reasons for apparent decline in functioning; clinical presentation of dementia; assessment; establishing the diagnosis and breaking the news; additional health co-morbidities associated with dementia; conceptual understanding of the dementia process; philosophy of care; environments; meeting changing needs/interventions; medication; safe eating and drinking; palliative care and end of life issues; capable commissioning for people with intellectual disabilities and dementia; capable support; and outcomes. (Edited publisher abstract)