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Commentary on “The experiences of older carers of people with learning disabilities: ‘I just carry on with it’”
- Author:
- SUNMAN Jan
- Journal article citation:
- Tizard Learning Disability Review, 26(1), 2021, pp.58-62.
- Publisher:
- Emerald
Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to provide a commentary on the article by Rachel Forrester-Jones on the experiences of older carers of people with learning disabilities. Design/methodology/approach: The commentary reflects on the themes identified in the original article, comparing its findings to the lived experiences of those taking part in older carers’ projects in Oxfordshire, England. Findings: Similar broad themes were identified in both samples. Given these findings, the extent to which matters have changed, since the Valuing People work on older carers is considered. Originality/value: The paper discusses policy and practice implications to improve the quality of life of older carers and their families and explores how the voice of older carers can be strengthened to enable them to shape practice and policy. (Edited publisher abstract)
The nature and quality of friendship for older adults with an intellectual disability in Ireland
- Authors:
- McCAUSLAND Darren, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities, 34(3), 2021, pp.763-776.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
Background: Friendship is important to quality of life, yet people with intellectual disability have more restricted social networks and fewer friends outside family and support staff. Method: Data from a nationally representative longitudinal study of older adults with intellectual disability (aged >40) examined rates and types of friends. Factors associated with having a best friend and friendship quality were explored. Results: A large majority (92.4%) had friends but just over half (52%) had a best friend. Co‐resident friends (71.8%) were more common than non‐resident friends (62%), while staff friendships (62.5%) were important. The majority of best friends were peers with intellectual disability (63.2%), carer/service providers (15.9%) or family (8.4%). Challenging behaviour and communication difficulty were associated with reduced likelihood of having a best friend. A best friend with intellectual disability was associated with lower friendship quality scores. Conclusion: Limited choice and social opportunity may result in a precarious form of friendship for older people with intellectual disability that undermines their quality of life. (Edited publisher abstract)
Use of dementia care mapping in the care for older people with intellectual disabilities: a mixed‐method study
- Authors:
- SCHAAP Feija D., et al
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities, 34(1), 2021, pp.149-163.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
Background: The ageing of people with intellectual disabilities, with associated morbidity like dementia, calls for new types of care. Person‐centred methods may support care staff in providing this, an example being Dementia Care Mapping (DCM). DCM has been shown to be feasible in ID‐care. We examined the experiences of ID‐professionals in using DCM. Methods: We performed a mixed‐methods study, using quantitative data from care staff (N = 136) and qualitative data (focus‐groups, individual interviews) from care staff, group home managers and DCM‐in‐intellectual disabilities mappers (N = 53). Results: DCM provided new insights into the behaviours of clients, enabled professional reflection and gave new knowledge and skills regarding dementia and person‐centred care. Appreciation of DCM further increased after the second cycle of application. Conclusion: DCM is perceived as valuable in ID‐care. Further assessment is needed of its effectiveness in ID‐care with respect to quality of care, staff‐client interactions and job performance. (Edited publisher abstract)
Improving healthcare access for older adults with intellectual disability: what are the needs?
- Authors:
- NAVAS Patricia, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities, 32(6), 2019, pp.1453-1464.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
This qualitative study was carried out in Spain with the aim of identifying the changes that the health system should make to improve healthcare access for older adults with intellectual disability. Three hundred and sixty‐nine family members and professionals expressed their opinion on how healthcare access could be improved. Participants responded to two open‐ended questions included in a general survey about the health status of older individuals with intellectual disability. Most informants were women and professionals who had known the person with intellectual disability for more than 12 months. A system of categories, which showed good inter‐rater agreement, was developed to analyse participants’ written responses. Both family members and professionals emphasized the need to improve disability training for healthcare practitioners and highlighted the urgent need for flexibility in the structure of a healthcare system that currently overlooks the specific needs of this vulnerable population. (Publisher abstract)
Hearing older voices
- Author:
- SOUTHGATE Jaki
- Journal article citation:
- Viewpoint, 126, January 2012, pp.22-23.
- Publisher:
- Mencap/Gateway
Older Voices, is a three year project funded by Comic Relief that is working with 17 people with a learning disability over the age of 50. The project is running a series of workshops to make the older people aware of their rights to services and give them the confidence and skills to change things, such as discrimination. This article provides a brief overview of the project which is being run by Mencap Wales.
Transition to old age - what can we do to aid the process?
- Author:
- DODD Karen
- Journal article citation:
- Advances in Mental Health and Learning Disabilities, 2(3), September 2008, pp.7-12.
- Publisher:
- Emerald
This article looks at how people with learning disabilities, including people with learning disabilities who develop dementia, make the transition to old age. It identifies key issues in understanding the transition to old age for people with learning disabilities, including how the ageing process may be different for this group, lack of agreement as to what constitutes old age for people with learning disabilities, the heterogeneity that might help make the transition easier for people.
Staff-averse challenging behaviour in older adults with intellectual disabilities
- Authors:
- HARTLEY Sigan L., MacLEAN William E.
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities, 20(6), November 2007, pp.519-528.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
People with intellectual disabilities are increasingly reaching older adulthood. Little is known about age-related change in the prevalence of challenging behaviours among older adults with intellectual disabilities. The frequency and severity of staff-averse challenging behaviours of 132 older adults with intellectual disabilities was assessed through informant ratings on the Inventory of Client and Agency Planning at two time points 8–10 years apart. There was an intraindividual decline in the frequency and severity of challenging behaviour using both lenient and more restricted definitions of challenging behaviour. There was a low prevalence but high comorbidity of severe challenging behaviour. Level of mental retardation and adaptive behaviour were related to the frequency and severity of challenging behaviour. An understanding of age-related intraindividual change in challenging behaviour has implications for staff wellbeing and optimizing the care of older adults with intellectual disabilities.
Prevalence of dementia in intellectual disability using different diagnostic criteria
- Authors:
- STRYDOM A., et al
- Journal article citation:
- British Journal of Psychiatry, 191(8), August 2007, pp.150-157.
- Publisher:
- Cambridge University Press
Diagnosis of dementia is complex in adults with intellectual disability owing to their pre-existing deficits and different presentation. The aim was to describe the clinical features and prevalence of dementia and its subtypes, and to compare the concurrent validity of dementia criteria in older adults with intellectual disability. The Becoming Older with Learning Disability (BOLD) memory study is a two-stage epidemiological survey of adults with intellectual disability without Down syndrome aged 60 years and older, with comprehensive assessment of people who screen positive. Dementia was diagnosed according to ICD–10, DSM–IV and DC–LD criteria. The DSM–IV dementia criteria were more inclusive. Diagnosis using ICD–10 excluded people with even moderate dementia. Clinical subtypes of dementia can be recognised in adults with intellectual disability. Alzheimer’s dementia was the most common, with a prevalence of 8.6% (95% CI 5.2–13.0), almost three times greater than expected. Dementia is common in older adults with intellectual disability, but prevalence differs according to the diagnostic criteria used. This has implications for clinical practice.
Can a new day centre dawn?
- Author:
- SALE Anabel Unity
- Journal article citation:
- Community Care, 20.01.20, 2005, pp.30-31.
- Publisher:
- Reed Business Information
Looks at day centres and whether they continue to be outdated, despite the efforts of many to re-inventing themselves. Stresses that they need to be needs-led and reflect the needs of their users.
Empowering images: using PhotoVoice with tenants with special needs
- Author:
- WOOLRYCH Richard
- Journal article citation:
- Housing Care and Support, 7(1), February 2004, pp.31-35.
- Publisher:
- Emerald
Looks at the use of PhotoVoice, which has been developed as a way of promoting active participation and dialogue, and is particularly attractive to people who have difficulty with verbal or written communication. PhotoVoice enables others to see the world as perceived and experienced by service users and is an effective way of empowering tenants and involving them in research and change strategies.