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Ageing and intellectual disabilities: improving longevity and promoting healthy ageing: summative report
- Author:
- WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION
- Publisher:
- World Health Organization
- Publication year:
- 2000
- Pagination:
- 21p.
- Place of publication:
- Geneva
Increased longevity has led to an increase in the population of persons with intellectual disabilities in the developed nations. However, national health provision schemes are often inadequate and do not recognise the special needs of adults with intellectual disabilities and, as they age, their health needs are not attended to in a manner equivalent to that of the general population. This report examines the general health status of adults with intellectual disabilities, identifies the conditions that support their longevity and promote healthy ageing, and proposes health and social inclusion promotion activities that would universally foster sound health and improve quality of life. It provides a summary of the main issues put forth in 4 reports prepared for the World Health Organization on healthy ageing in adults with intellectual disabilities which look at the specific areas of physical health, women’s health, biobehavioural, and social policy. Included in this summary are the main recommendations from the 4 reports for improving health and longevity among persons with intellectual disabilities.
Life members: women with intellectual disabilities and aging
- Author:
- WALSH Patricia Noonan
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Gerontological Social Work, 38(1/2), 2002, pp.121-135.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- Philadelphia, USA
Reviews some of the dilemmas faced by women with intellectual disabilities as they age and are trying to stake out a place in their communities. The article draws on recent testimony of older women themselves, their carers and advocates about optimal paths to healthy ageing. The author suggests that more flexible, individualized forms of support are likely to enhance the quality of longer lives and that supports for women with intellectual disabilities can be appraised in terms of efficacy in strengthening women's membership of their respective communities as they age. The author speaks to the implications for best practice on the part of professionals and othercarers who work with and support women as they age and proffers suggested research strategies for future women's studies.
Health, age, and gender: how do women with intellectual disabilities fare?
- Author:
- ANDERSON Deborah J.
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Gerontological Social Work, 38(1/2), 2002, pp.137-159.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- Philadelphia, USA
The 1994-1995 Disability Supplement to the National Health Interview Survey (administeredto a representative sample of the U.S. population) was analyzed for women age 30 and older with intellectual disabilities (ID), developmental disabilities (DD) or both, in order to describe their functioning as they aged in the community. Definitions of ID and DD consistent with professional and legal standards were developedand adapted to the NHIS-D questions. An estimated .56% of the approximately 77 million civilian, noninstitutionalized, women age 30 and older in the United States have one of these disabilities. Compared with women in general,women with these disabilities had negative perceptions of their health status, particularlywomen with DD and health indicators tended to support their perceptions. Most were independent in activities of daily living , but instrumental activities of daily living posed more of a callenge, and limitations in major activities were common as was a high rate of distress and psychosocial difficulties.
Going through the menopause: perceptions and experiences of women with intellectual disability
- Author:
- McCARTHY Michelle
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Intellectual and Developmental Disability, 27(4), December 2002, pp.281-295.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
This article explores the perceptions, experiences and support needs of women with intellectual disability as they go through the menopause. Findings are presented from semi-structured interviews with 15 women with mild to moderate intellectual disability aged 43-65 years. Levels of knowledge about what the menopause was, when it happened, and whether it happened to all women, were found to be generally low. More significantly, the majority of the women did not understand the significance of the menopause on a woman's reproductive capacity. The women's experiences of change and transition were on a predominantly physical level, with some emotional effects, but little or no psychological and social impact noted.
Responses to women with learning disabilities as they go through the menopause
- Author:
- McCARTHY Michelle
- Journal article citation:
- Tizard Learning Disability Review, 7(1), January 2002, pp.4-12.
- Publisher:
- Emerald
The research investigated how women with learning disabilities understand and experience the menopause, and the support available. This paper reports the experiences and attitudes of those people to whom women with learning disabilities might turn for support. GPs generally reported re;actively little experience in treating women with learning disabilities for menopause-related symptoms and some recognised the need for pro-active work. Carers played a key role on facilitating women' s access to primary health care. Staff in residential and day services recognised the role they played in supporting women through the menopause, but were hampered by lack of time and resources. Mothers of middle-aged women with learning disabilities and viewed this transition positively. The need for specialist educational materials was emphasised by all who took in this research.
Healthy ageing - adults with intellectual disabilities: women's health and related issues
- Authors:
- WALSH P.N., et al
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities, 14(3), 2001, pp.195-217.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
This report has been prepared by the Ageing Special Interest Research Group of the International Association for the Scientific Study of Intellectual Disabilities (IASSID) in collaboration with the Department of Mental Health and Substance Dependence and the Programme on Ageing and Health, World Health Organisation (WHO), Geneva, Switzerland. Explores factors related to well-being and quality of life for women, examines and defines sex-linked differences in their life experiences and opportunities and to define their distinctive vulnerabilities - including research on health status and access to healthcare.
Osteoporosis and women with Down syndrome
- Authors:
- MILBERGER, Sharon, LACHANCE Laurie, EDELSON Gary
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Intellectual and Developmental Disability, 27(4), December 2002, pp.273-280.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
This one year study of 23 women examined osteoporosis in postmenopausal women with Down syndrome. The findings indicate that the women tended to be inactive and they frequently had coexistent conditions. Eighty-seven per cent of the participants had osteopenia or osteoporosis in at least one of the three sites measured. The results highlight the need for intervention efforts targeted to ageing women with Down syndrome.