Improving services for people with learning disabilities and dementia: Findings from a service evaluation exploring the perspectives of health and social care professionals

Abstract

Accessible summary• Dementia is an illness caused by damage to a person's brain.• People with learning disabilities, especially people with Down's Syndrome, are more likely to get dementia, and when they are younger.• We talked to people working in community learning disability teams to find out what they thought about services and support for people with learning disabilities and dementia and carers.• Screening and assessments mean that people get diagnosis and support more quickly and other problems are picked up.• More appropriate housing and support is needed so people can stay at home for longer.• Research needs to look at the best ways to support people with learning disabilities and dementia.• It is important to find ways to involve people with learning disabilities and dementia and carers in meetings about their support and future research. AbstractBackground: Dementia prevalence rates are higher amongst people with learning dis-

Supporting people with an intellectual disability and dementia: A constructivist grounded theory study exploring care providers’ views and experiences in the UK

“…Building on previous qualitative research (Chapman et al, 2018;Jenkins et al, 2008), this study has drawn on the experiences of both healthcare professionals and carers, to provide a more holis- (Kitwood, 1997) and implement adaptations to ensure a more dementia-friendly home (Strydom, Al-Janabi, Houston, & Ridley, 2016).…”

“…The little amount of research which has explored IDDCP services and supports has illustrated their usefulness for carers, who are able to access support and training (Chapman, Lacey, & Jervis, 2018; Jenkins et al, 2008); though uptake of training has been reported as low for family carers (Chapman et al., 2018). IDDCP teams can be integral to ending the uncertainty carers and people with an intellectual disability and dementia experience without a diagnosis.…”

“…IDDCP teams can be integral to ending the uncertainty carers and people with an intellectual disability and dementia experience without a diagnosis. Chapman et al (2018), through one focus group with eight health and social care practitioners from a community intellectual disability service which delivered an IDDCP, explored the usefulness of IDDCPs in the screening and diagnosis process, and post-diagnosis interventions. Services and supports consisted of dementia screening, assessment, diagnosis and interventions; training (e.g.…”

Modern trends in the care of seniors in the residential facilities of the social services

“…Multidisciplinary teams in the facilities of social services focus on ensuring help in the care of one's self, and activate and support clients in all life areas, e.g. claiming their rights and promoting their interests (Chapman et al, 2018).…”

Development and testing of an instrument (HeSoEduCo) for health and social care educators' competence in professional education

“…The cited report included stark warnings about difficulties in retaining an ageing health care population, workers taking other jobs, and failure to recruit and keep young people in the sector. At the same time there are growing needs for social care to support primary health care, especially for the elderly (Soares et al, 2018), as well as clients with chronic disease and/or critical social situations (Chapman et al, 2018). High turnover intentions were identified in the decreased interest of new health care workers to keep their demanding work.…”