Search results for ‘Subject term:"learning disabilities"’ Sort:
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Family quality of life and older families
- Author:
- JOKINEN Nancy S.
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Policy and Practice in Intellectual Disabilities, 3(4), December 2006, pp.246-252.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
This paper highlights the circumstances of older families of adults with an intellectual disability (ID) using scenarios drawn from current research, the practice literature pertaining to older families, and basic tenets of family quality of life as a field of study. Specific issues discussed include the propensity in the literature to emphasize negative aspects of prolonged coresidence of older parents and adults with an ID; evidence-based practice often dominated by a focus on future planning, particularly in regard to transitions from home, financial issues, and guardianship; and little research or practice identifying a planning process that considers the older family as a whole, taking into account and addressing the needs and concerns of all family members affected by ageing circumstances. Additionally, scant literature on the involvement of family in the lives of middle-aged and older adults already living in residential services is available to guide practice to successfully maintain family involvement under these circumstances. The author concludes that there is a need to expand evidence-based practice beyond work with older parents cohabiting with a son or daughter with an ID and future planning, and that a family quality of life approach has the potential to identify proactive strategies that strengthen family relations and actively engage older families in the development of policy and practice.
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)
Evaluation toolkit for providers: an assessment tool and action plan for organisations to improve the quality of life for people with learning disabilities as they grow older
- Author:
- TOWERS Christine
- Publisher:
- Foundation for People with Learning Disabilities
- Publication year:
- 2014
- Pagination:
- 34
- Place of publication:
- London
This evaluation toolkit is to help provider organisations to improve the quality of support for people with learning disabilities as they grow older. It aims to enable providers to understand the values, knowledge and skills that need to be in place to support people as they grow older so that their lives are as happy, healthy and fulfilling as possible and draw up and deliver an action plan to improve the support provided to people as they grow older. It uses the 8 outcomes from the Association for Real Change 'Real Change Challenge on Older People'. It provides indicators for each of the eight outcome that providers can use to assess themselves against using a traffic light system (red, amber and green). The toolkit suggests resources to help achieve each outcome. There is also a template for developing an action plan to help organisations implement the necessary changes. (Edited publisher abstract)
Emotional and tangible reciprocity in middle- and older-aged carers of adults with intellectual disabilities
- Authors:
- PERKINS Elizabeth A., HALEY William E.
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Policy and Practice in Intellectual Disabilities, 10(4), 2014, pp.334-344.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
This study investigates whether older carers of adult children with intellectual disabilities perceive emotional and tangible reciprocity in their relationships and the association between perceived reciprocity with quality of life. The authors surveyed 91 parental carers (aged 50+ years, mean = 60.8). Bivariate correlations and hierarchical regression analyses assessed the relationship between tangible and emotional reciprocity and carer quality of life variables (physical and mental health, depressive symptomatology, life satisfaction) and carers' desire for an alternative residential situation of their son/daughter. Overall, more tangible and emotional support was given than received from their adult children. However, despite varying levels of intellectual disability and functional impairments of their care recipient, carers did report receiving considerable support. Relative disadvantage (i.e., giving more than received) in tangible reciprocity was associated with increased depressive symptomatology and poorer mental health but also reduced desire for seeking an alternative residential situation for the person for whom they are caring. These relationships were attenuated after covariance analyses. Emotional reciprocity was not associated with any of the outcome measures. The results suggest that perceptions of reciprocity are relevant in caregiving for intellectual disability and may be an underappreciated asset in coping with caregiving. (Edited publisher abstract)
The effect of reminiscence group work on life satisfaction, self-esteem and mood of ageing people with intellectual disabilities
- Authors:
- VAN PUYENBROECK Joris, MAES Bea
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities, 22(1), January 2009, pp.23-33.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
This study evaluates the effects of reminiscence group work on the subjective well-being of ageing people with intellectual disabilities. The content of the successive group work sessions was manipulated as follows: a control-phase with three 'current topics' sessions, an experimental phase with six 'reminiscence' sessions and finally three 'current topics' sessions. Life satisfaction, perceived self-competence and mood were measured by questionnaires, filled in by the participants and direct support workers. A quasi-experimental pre-test–post-test design (n = 41) did not detect any changes in life satisfaction and perceived self-competence. For mood, a quasi-experimental ABA-design (n = 41) did not yield an experimental treatment effect, but a significant increase in scores was observed over time. Personality characteristics 'extraversion' and 'emotional stability', but not memory specificity were found to be significant covariates for the mood scores. Although the study's design did not allow the researchers to confirm the effect of reminiscence group work, the analysis nonetheless revealed some useful indications for further research. Also, interviews conducted before and after the programme resulted in positive appraisals of the programme as a worthwhile and meaningful activity for ageing people with intellectual disability.
Pennine Court: remodelling sheltered housing to include extra care for people with learning difficulties
- Authors:
- LATTO Shena, CROOKES Victoria
- Publisher:
- Care Services Improvement Partnership. Housing Learning and Improvement Network
- Publication year:
- 2007
- Pagination:
- 21p.
- Place of publication:
- London
This Case Study describes the development of extra care housing opportunities for older people with learning difficulties within a conventional sheltered housing scheme in Salford. It details the key stages and features of the development process, and shares the lessons learned from this in the hope that they will be useful to other commissioners and providers of housing and support services considering/involved in: remodelling sheltered housing; developing extra care for people with learning difficulties; integrating provision for people with learning difficulties with mainstream provision for people as they age.
Getting older: feeling good
- Authors:
- BRADLEY Alice, et al
- Publisher:
- British Institute of Learning Disabilities
- Publication year:
- 2004
- Pagination:
- 12p.
- Place of publication:
- Kidderminster
This easy read booklet about growing older by people with learning disabilities can be used with individuals or groups and enhanced with other activities.
Ageing and learning disability
- Author:
- HOLLAND A.J.
- Journal article citation:
- British Journal of Psychiatry, 176, January 2000, pp.26-31.
- Publisher:
- Cambridge University Press
This study aims to identify some key biological, psychological and social issues relevant to how ageing might particularly effect people with learning disabilities. Presents a selected review which considers the extent to which there are similarities and differences relative to people without learning disabilities. Findings suggest that there is a convergence, in later life, between people with a learning disability and those without. There is a lack of a concerted response to ensure that the best possible health social care is provided for people with learning disabilities in later life.
The relationship of person-environment fit to perceptions of autonomy, competency and satisfaction among older adults with developmental disabilities
- Authors:
- HUTCHINGS B. Lynn, CHAPLIN Erica
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Policy and Practice in Intellectual Disabilities, 14(3), 2017, pp.214-223.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
The overlay of age-related cognitive and physical impairments onto existing intellectual and physical disabilities, a paucity of informal social relationships, a limited education and low income levels place the current generation of ageing adults with intellectual disabilities at risk of premature behavioural limitations and increased dependency. Person-environment fit and its relationship to perceptions of autonomy, competency, and satisfaction were explored through qualitative data collected from consumers. Face-to-face, in home interviews were conducted with 91 consumers who were asked to assess their own ability to carry out self-care and household tasks. Interviewers then observed consumers performing these tasks. A multi-stage data analysis process identified emergent themes that included issues related to autonomy versus dependence, belonging versus isolation, residential permanency versus transience, and social inclusion versus exclusion. The study also collected quantitative data, both from consumers and interviewers acting as observers. Consumer ratings of their own ability were consistently lower than observer ratings. Fostering home-based independence and autonomy among people ageing with developmental disabilities are discussed in relation to perspectives on the home environment. (Edited publisher abstract)
Improving the quality of life for people with learning disabilities as they grow older: a challenge for providers
- Author:
- WARD Cally
- Publisher:
- Association for Real Change
- Publication year:
- 2013
- Pagination:
- 24
- Place of publication:
- Chesterfield
This document is uses eight outcomes statements to identify what learning disability providers must do to meet the Real Change Challenge of improving the quality of life for people who have a learning disability as they grow older. It provides advice and sets out practical steps on how to ensure that people with learning difficulties continue to have lives that are healthy, happy and fulfilled. The eight outcomes aim to ensure that people are supported, involved, have good health, feel safe, are able to take part in activities, are in contact with people in their social networks, are supported when people close to them die, and that they can come to terms with their own end of life. Bullet points provide advice on how to deliver outcomes and implications for staff development. (Original abstract)