Suchergebnisse

AbstractThe structuring of daytime activities for older people with intellectual disabilities (ID) is often at odds with the views or needs of the people involved with these activities. The aim of this study was to understand the perceptions of people with ID with respect to retirement—that is, the mandatory transition from attending day centers in two Scottish localities. Semi‐structured interviews were conducted with 16 older adults and the resultant transcripts subjected to interpretive phenomenological analysis. Five themes emerged from the analysis: the importance of activity, the day center as a social hub, confusion concerning retirement, desire for continuity, and the value of independence. The older adults placed great value on participation in daytime activity and on attendance at local authority‐run day centers. They wished to remain active well into old age and wished to contribute to their local communities. Disconcertingly, the participants highlighted the difficulties with their understanding of "retirement" and those who demonstrated a level of understanding felt that they had a disconnected role in the process. The study revealed some important implications for service provision and development. The authors suggest that the provision of daytime activity for older people with ID should be scrutinized closely with respect to what people do as retirees and how they prepare for a change in lifestyle.

Abstract  People with profound intellectual disabilities rarely experience a physically active lifestyle, and their long‐term physical inactivity likely contributes to poor health. The authors developed and implemented a pilot exercise program for persons with a profound intellectual disability and conducted a study to evaluate the effort. The development of mobility, independent movement, and posture profiles resulted in a 16‐week needs‐led exercise program based on "rebound therapy," with additional exercises, including active and passive exercise, walking, swimming, hydrotherapy, and team games. Study participants undertook 3–5 additional periods of low‐impact exercise per week, providing moderate to low levels of activity judged in terms of energy costs. The program was evaluated using physiological measures (resting pulse, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, weight, height, body mass index, seizure activity, activity levels), counts of challenging behaviors, and by indices of quality of life and alertness outcomes. Participation in the exercise program was associated with decreases of frequency of challenging behaviors and increases in quality of life (freedom scores) and alertness. The authors concluded that barriers to the development and implementation of ongoing exercise programs in continuing care settings can be overcome by trained and motivated care staff.

AbstractBackgroundTrauma and its sequelae is recognised as a major morbidity factor in people with intellectual disabilities, however, a lack of inquiry into how health care professionals address trauma in this adult population exists.AimsTo explore specialist intellectual disability practitioners perspectives on current health provision and developments to address trauma.MethodsTwenty‐five qualitative interviews were conducted with practitioners across 6 health service areas in the UK. Data were analysed using thematic content analysis.FindingsSeven central themes emerged: (a) unmasked trauma; (b) trauma informed care; (c) person‐centred care and support; (d) multi‐disciplinary working; (e) reasonable adjustments; (f) barriers to treatment and (g) awareness, training and education.ConclusionTrauma‐informed care and multi‐disciplinary working are essential components for future service development. Advances in the evidence‐base for effective psychological interventions for PTSD and training and education of health care staff are needed in order to improve service provision amongst this population.

AbstractObjectiveTo report the results of the first randomized feasibility trial of Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) plus Standard Care (SC) versus SC alone for DSM‐5 posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in adults with intellectual disabilities.MethodA total of 29 participants were randomized to either to EMDR + SC (n = 15) or SC (n = 14). Participants completed measures on traumatic stress (PCL‐C) and comorbid distress at baseline, 1 week post‐treatment and 3‐month follow‐up.ResultsIn the EMDR + SC group, 9 (60%) participants at post‐treatment and 7 (47%) participants at 3‐month follow‐up were diagnosis free. In SC, 4 (27%) at post‐treatment and follow‐up were diagnosis free. At post‐treatment, three participants (20%) dropped out from the EMDR + SC group, and 1 (7%) dropped out from the SC group.ConclusionsIt is feasible, acceptable and potentially effective to deliver EMDR in this population group.