Translating the Chronic Disease Self-Management Program for Community-Dwelling Adults With Developmental Disabilities

Abstract

Objective: The study was to test the feasibility of supplementary materials (DD-CDSMP) supporting people with developmental disabilities who are aging to participate in the Chronic Disease Self-Management Program (CDSMP). CDSMP is a six-session group intervention designed to increase self-management of chronic health conditions. Method: Supplementary materials were utilized within two CDSMP workshops. Each workshop involved seven to nine persons with developmental disabilities and five to seven staff. Supplementary materials to the existing intervention manual were reviewed using a framework for modifications and adaptions for evidence-based interventions. Process interviews with leaders and participants, pre- and posttests on self-management activity and satisfaction surveys assessed outcomes and feasibility. Results: Classes were successfully held with a 70% completer rate, and all materials proved useful. Discussion: People with developmental disabilities as they age tend to have more comorbid conditions than the general population. Developing and implementing materials and strategies to making self-management more accessible to people with developmental disabilities in mainstream rather than segregated settings will improve the quality of people’s lives.

The Pre-Adaptation of a Stroke-Specific Self-Management Program Among Older Adults

“…The anticipated impact is that the pre-adapted self-management program will be more appropriate than standard self-management programs. This is in line with the findings from Ferretti’s work with adults aging with developmental disabilities where a modified CDSMP showed higher completion rates (Ferretti & McCallion, 2019).…”

Pharmacy Students’ Attitudes Toward Persons With Disabilities and Perceptions of Right to Self-Determination

“…3 Because patients with chronic diseases are highly dependent on health care services for medication use and daily life, patient harm may occur due to inappropriate medication use and discrimination in health care services. 4,5 Persons with disabilities are more likely to have disparity in health care services than nondisabled. 6 In particular, because the proportion of elderly persons with disabilities has gradually increased, 7 most of them have a relatively poor health status due to inadequate self-management abilities 8 and are often unable to receive adequate health care services.…”