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Training of residential social care staff to meet the needs of older people with intellectual disabilities who develop age-related health problems: an exploratory study
- Authors:
- NORTHWAY Ruth, JENKINS Robert, HOLLAND-HART Daniella
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities, 30(5), 2017, pp.911-921.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
Background: Despite awareness of the age related health needs of people with intellectual disabilities little is known regarding how residential social care staff are prepared to meet such needs. Methods: Data were gathered via semi-structured interviews from 14 managers of supported living settings. Transcripts were thematically analysed. Findings: Staff may work in supported living settings with no prior experience of care work, and previous knowledge/experience of supporting people in relation to their health is not required. Whilst health related training is provided there is a lack of specific training regarding healthy ageing, and training seems to be reactive to changing needs of tenants meaning that proactive monitoring for changes in health status may not occur. Conclusions: Whilst some training is provided for residential social care staff in relation to health and ageing a more proactive approach is required which should include a focus on healthy ageing. (Edited publisher abstract)
Meeting the health needs of older people with intellectual disabilities: exploring the experiences of residential social care staff
- Authors:
- NORTHWAY Ruth, HOLLAND-HART Daniella, JENKINS Robert
- Journal article citation:
- Health and Social Care in the Community, 25(3), 2017, pp.923-931.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
Older people with intellectual disabilities often experience high levels of health needs and multiple morbidities but they may be supported by residential care staff with little or no previous experience of identifying and meeting health needs. Little is known regarding how they undertake this health-related role and this exploratory study seeks to address this gap. A purposive sample of 14 managers of supported living accommodation in Wales were interviewed in 2014 to determine their experiences of supporting tenants in relation to age-related health needs. The semi-structured interviews were transcribed and thematically analysed. Three of the emerging themes are reported in this paper: meeting health needs, the consequences of ageing and relationships. Findings indicate that residential care staff support older people with intellectual disabilities with complex and multiple health needs: they monitor health status, support access to healthcare, provide additional support arising from changing health needs and advocate for tenants in the context of healthcare. However, their role is often not understood by healthcare professionals. The importance of staff having a long-term relationship with those they support was identified as being important to identifying any health-related changes. The need to develop effective relationships with healthcare staff was also noted. It is concluded that there is a need for better understanding among health staff of the role of residential social care workers and for further research regarding health-related communication. (Publisher abstract)
Supporting people with intellectual disabilities who challenge or who are ageing: a rapid review of evidence
- Authors:
- SLEVIN Eamonn, et al
- Publisher:
- University of Ulster
- Publication year:
- 2011
- Pagination:
- 204p., bibliog.
- Place of publication:
- Belfast
Based on a conservative estimate, 2228 people with an intellectual disability (ID) in Northern Ireland, 958 children and 1270 adults, are likely to have behaviours that challenge others. These people require significant input from services to maintain them in their own home. This report provides a review of literature in order to inform practice with 2 groups of people with IDs. The aim is to identify the supports that are required for these client populations to enable them to live in their own homes as far as is possible and to live dignified meaningful lives. Firstly, the review considers the evidence in relation to people with an ID who challenge and may have comorbid mental health problems. For this group the review considers: supporting living; day opportunities; family support; and other interventions or services that have an evidence-base applicable across settings. Secondly, the review looks at the evidence in relation to people with ID who are reaching old age and in many cases are being cared for by older caregiving family members. This is a new area of research, since more people with ID are now living into old age. For this group the review focuses on: health; aging in place; succession planning; formal service provision; and use of mainstream services. Recommendations are made in relation to practice, education and future research focused on clients, family caregivers and formal service providers.