Search results for ‘Subject term:"learning disabilities"’ Sort:
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Demonstrating successful care in the community
- Editors:
- CAMBRIDGE Paul, KNAPP Martin
- Publisher:
- University of Kent. Personal Social Services Research Unit
- Publication year:
- 1988
- Pagination:
- 66p., tables.
- Place of publication:
- Canterbury
A series of papers from regional seminars held in 1987-1988 which discussed the 28 1983 DHSS Care in the Community Projects.
Impediments to community-based care for people ageing with intellectual disability in rural New South Wales
- Authors:
- WARK Stuart, HUSSAIN Rafat, EDWARDS Helen
- Journal article citation:
- Health and Social Care in the Community, 22(6), 2014, pp.623-633.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
The emerging phenomenon of ageing with an intellectual disability has become subject to an increasing research focus in recent years. However, there remains little knowledge regarding the specific impediments that community workers face in supporting this cohort. The aims of the current study were to identify the major factors that, direct care staff believe, have most impact upon individuals ageing with an intellectual disability in the community. A three-round Delphi project was conducted across rural areas of New South Wales in Australia with 31 disability support workers to gain their perspectives on the main impediments facing a person ageing with intellectual disability. The 2010 study identified that the issue of ageing with an intellectual disability was presenting significant problems for community-based service delivery to this group of people. The panel identified 25 different impediments to the provision of support. A thematic analysis of the items indicated three main themes of ‘funding’, ‘training’ and ‘access to services’. By identifying these impediments to supporting people ageing with an intellectual disability in the community, both services and government funding bodies have the ability to plan to overcome both current and future problem areas. This identification of impediments may facilitate individuals to receive more appropriate assistance, which in turn may lead to an improved quality of life and maintenance of a community-based placement rather than premature admission to the congregate-care system. This study is particularly timely, given that Australia is in the midst of implementing a National Disability Insurance Scheme, and is an opportunity for all levels of government to agree on the mechanisms to appropriately assist individuals with an intellectual disability to continue to be supported in the community as they age. (Publisher abstract)
Moving home: social integration for adults with intellectual disabilities resettling into community provision
- Authors:
- AGER A., MYERS F., KERR P.
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities, 14(4), December 2001, pp.392-400.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
The present study examined levels of social integration for individuals resettling into community provision following the phased closure of Gogarburn Hospital, Edinburgh, UK, and the personal and service-related characteristics which were influential on such integration. The study sample comprised 76 out of 95 individuals consecutively discharged over a 19-month period. Post-move data were collected between 6 and 9 months after community resettlement. At this time, mean 'quality of life' scores, established using the Life Experiences Checklist (LEC), were broadly equivalent to those reported from previous reprovisioning studies in the UK. However, scores in the domains of Relationships and Freedom remained well below general population norms. A pre-move to post-move comparison across the domains of the LEC suggested that the greatest impact of reprovisioning was in the areas of physical quality of residential provision (with overall standards above general population norms) and personal freedoms. Index of Community Involvement (ICI) scores showed a general increase in community presence, although activities requiring a high degree of personal autonomy remained infrequent. Social contacts recorded through diaries suggested a heavy bias towards contacts with staff and other service users as opposed to general community contacts (e.g. neighbours and shop workers). On average, over half the time spent outwith the home was in specialist or segregated service settings. For 18 individuals, there were losses or no gains in community involvement pre-move to post-move. A majority of these individuals were elderly. These findings are discussed in the context of policy targeting community participation, and the need for strengthening service features which encourage higher levels of social integration.
Ignored but still in need
- Author:
- HUDSON Bob
- Journal article citation:
- Health Service Journal, 1.3.90, 1990, pp.33O-331.
- Publisher:
- Emap Healthcare
Outlines the problems faced by elderly people with a learning disability, whether in hospitals or living with their own families and outlines some solutions.
The mentally retarded aged: implications for social work practice
- Authors:
- KAUFMAN A.V., DeWEAVER K., GLICKEN M.
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Gerontological Social Work, 14(1/2), 1989, pp.93-11O.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- Philadelphia, USA
Presents models of case management for social work with clients in institutions and in the community.
Emergent voices. Exploring the lived experience of seniors with intellectual disability
- Authors:
- HUTCHINSON Gunn Strand, SANDVIN Johans Tveit
- Journal article citation:
- European Journal of Social Work, 22(5), 2019, pp.738-748.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
In Norway, as in many European countries, there has been a major change in living conditions for people with intellectual disability over the last 30 years. State policy has changed, involving the reduction of institutional care with the aim of normalising people’s life situations and service provision. A challenge in the early years of reform was a lack of first-hand experiences. Researchers attempting to interview people with intellectual disabilities themselves about moving out of institutions concluded that this was methodologically problematic, as informants tended to answer what they thought was expected of them. While this may also reflect features of the research at that time, many of those with first-hand experiences of the reform have later confirmed that they had but a weak voice of their own. Today, their voices are stronger, and many of them provide important testimonies of the ‘true consequences’ of the reform. This article reveals some of these testimonies. Through in-depth interviews, six people with intellectual disabilities tell about their institutional lives and their present lives in the community. The strongest testimony to the reform is perhaps our informants’ ability to give words to, and reflect on, what was previously just a silent pain. (Edited publisher abstract)
Social connections for older people with intellectual disability in Ireland: results from wave one of IDS-TILDA
- Authors:
- McCAUSLAND Darren, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities, 29(1), 2016, pp.71-82.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
Background: The literature on influences of community versus congregated settings raises questions about how social inclusion can be optimised for people with intellectual disability. This study examines social contacts for older people with intellectual disability in Ireland, examining differences in social connection for adults with intellectual disability and other adults. Materials and Methods: Data were drawn from the IDS-TILDA study in Ireland. A nationally representative sample (n = 753) included adults aged 40 years and older, with additional comparison with general population participants. Predictors of social contacts were explored. Results: Residence, level of intellectual disability and age were significant factors determining social contact. People in institutional residences, older respondents and those with severe/profound intellectual disability had the lowest levels of contact; older adults with intellectual disability had much lower rates than general population counterparts. Conclusions: Community-dwelling people with intellectual disability have greater social contact than those living in institutions, but levels are below those for other adults in Ireland. (Publisher abstract)
Commentary on “Growing older together: ageing and people with learning disabilities and their family carers”
- Author:
- THOMPSON David
- Journal article citation:
- Tizard Learning Disability Review, 18(3), 2013, pp.120-123.
- Publisher:
- Emerald
This commentary aims to support Carol Walker and Cally Ward's paper by directing readers to work which could guide their practice with older people with learning disabilities and ageing family carers. It reviews selected initiatives to support older people with learning disabilities and their family carers over the past decade. Examples from the author's personal contacts are also used to illustrate the discussion. (Edited publisher abstract)
Growing older together: ageing and people with learning disabilities and their family carers
- Authors:
- WALKER Carol, WARD Cally
- Journal article citation:
- Tizard Learning Disability Review, 18(3), 2013, pp.112-119.
- Publisher:
- Emerald
This article explores the new challenge posed by the first generations of people with learning disabilities who are now living into older age in significant numbers. Most are living with family carers, who are themselves ageing. This represents a major transition in people's lives and one to which services must respond if a normal life event is not to be turned into a crisis. The article draws on the work of the authors for over a decade in this field. It examines the implications for both the older people themselves and for the ageing family carers with whom the majority live and of current government policy in social care and welfare benefits for this very vulnerable group. Learning disabled people are likely to experience the age discrimination common in much older people provision and practice and the caring relationship is undermined in the short and long term. Evidence on the extension of personalisation indicates that it presents very considerable challenges for this group of families. More information is needed on this growing population. More preventative support is needed to sustain the caring relationship while the family is living together, to support families to plan for the future, and to provide support when the caring relationship breaks down. (Edited publisher abstract)
End-of-life care and dying: issues raised by staff supporting older people with intellectual disability in community living services
- Authors:
- WIESE Michele, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities, 25(6), November 2012, pp.571-583.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
People with disability, including intellectual disability, are living longer. With this increased life expectancy, people with intellectual disability are outliving their parents, resulting in increased need for community living services. The aim of this study was to explore the current status of end-of-life care and dying of people with intellectual disability based on the experiences of staff in community living services. A total of 33 staff were recruited from 3 agencies in Australia that provide community group home accommodation. The participants were required to have either experienced a death of a client or be supporting a client near the end-of-life. Focus groups were conducted with 25 of the participants and individual interviews were held with 20 of the participants. Analysis of the findings revealed 5 key issues: knowledge of dying; ethical values; the where of caring; the how of caring; and post-death caring. These issues occurred in relationship with ‘partners’, including the dying person, other clients, fellow staff, family, external health services and the coroner. The article concludes that end-of-life care represents a complex interaction between the care issues and the partners involved in care. Despite this complexity, staff were committed to the provision of end-of-life care.