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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)
Meanings and experiences of menstruation: perceptions of institutionalized women with an intellectual disability
- Authors:
- CHOU Yueh-Ching, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities, 21(6), November 2008, pp.575-584.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
No studies have ever been conducted concerning menstrual experiences among women with an intellectual disability in Taiwan. An in-depth interview was conducted at three public institutions and perceptions and experiences regarding menstruation were elicited from 55 women aged 21–65 years. The participants knew about menstrual blood and could recognize the experiences of period pain and its link to femininity. The women's management of menstruation played a big part in their institutionalized life, where they had relatively limited choice and autonomy. Positive feelings towards the menstrual cycle were experienced by some participants; however, many had negative attitudes towards sexual activities or parenting, even though they knew the association between menstruation and pregnancy. Although these women's experiences of perimenstrual symptoms are quite similar to those of women without intellectual disability, their menstrual management, interpretations and attitudes to menses are influenced by their institutional life and by the society at large.
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)
The impact of living arrangements and deinstitutionalisation in the health status of persons with intellectual disability in Europe
- Authors:
- MARTINEZ-LEAL R., et al
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Intellectual Disability Research, 55(9), September 2011, pp.858-872.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
Despite progress in deinstitutionalisation, relatively little is known about the health of people with intellectual disability (PWID) who live in large institutions or those living in small residential services, family homes or independently in the community. Nor are there any international comparisons at the European level of the health status and health risks of PWID living in fully staffed residential services with formal support and care compared with those living in unstaffed family homes or independent houses without formal support. A total of 1269 persons with ID and/or their proxy respondents were interviewed in 14 EU countries using the P15 multinational assessment battery to collect data on health indicators relevant to PWID. Participants were grouped according to their living arrangements, formal support and stage of deinstitutionalisation. Obesity and sedentary lifestyle were prevalent along with illnesses such as epilepsy, mental disorders, allergies or constipation. There were more cases of myocardial infarction, chronic bronchitis, osteoporosis and gastric or duodenal ulcers among participants in countries at the early stage of deinstitutionalisation. There were important deficits in variables related health promotion such as screening and vaccination in family homes and independent living arrangements. The authors point to the important differences between different living arrangements depending on the level of formal support available and the stage of deinstitutionalisation.
Long-term care: future provision and funding; minutes of evidence, Thursday 14 December 1995
- Author:
- GREAT BRITAIN. Parliament. House of Commons. Health Committee
- Publisher:
- HMSO
- Publication year:
- 1995
- Pagination:
- 163p.
- Place of publication:
- London