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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)
A better life: the implementation and effect of person-centred active support in the Avenues Trust
- Authors:
- BEADLE-BROWN Julie, HUTCHINSON Aislinn, WHELTON Beckie
- Journal article citation:
- Tizard Learning Disability Review, 13(4), December 2008, pp.15-24.
- Publisher:
- Emerald
Engagement in meaningful active and relationships is important for quality of life but, for those with intellectual and developmental disabilities, engagement depends on the quality of support received from those around them. This paper describes the process of implementing person-centred active support in the Avenues Trust, and the findings from the evaluation of the implementation in six pilot residential services. Attention was paid to both training staff and the level of increased engagement increased significantly after the introduction of person-centred active support. In addition, people experienced decreased self-stimulatory and injurious behaviour, increased opportunities for choice and control, and higher levels of participation in tasks of daily living, without compromising their community involvement. Staff experienced more and better practice leadership, and staff morale improved within the services, with staff generally more positive about management, more satisfied and less likely to leave. Lessons learned about the implementation are provided.
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)
Healthy lifestyle behaviours for people with intellectual disabilities: an exploration of organizational barriers and enablers
- Authors:
- O'LEARY Lisa, TAGGART Laurence, COUSINS Wendy
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities, 31(Supplement S1), 2018, pp.122-135.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
Background: The health-related behaviours of people with intellectual disabilities may be determined by organisational influences. This innovative study aimed to explore managers’ and staffs’ perspectives on organisational influences on the promotion of healthy behaviours for this population. Method: A qualitative methodology was employed. Four focus groups with staff and eleven telephone interviews with managers were undertaken across three residential services in one region (Northern Ireland) of the UK. Transcripts were analysed thematically. Findings: The organisations involved in this study did not have the cultural ethos or capacity to sustain consistent support for staff involvement in health promotion. Organisational support and outcome-focused strategies are recommended for encouraging staff involvement in health promotion activities. Conclusion: These findings have implications for some organisations that support people with intellectual disabilities in improving the way they facilitate health promotion. They highlight the need for organisational cultures to facilitate knowledge translation and embrace evidence-based health promotion interventions. (Publisher abstract)