Study recommends screening for malnourishment in high risk individuals with learning disability

There are a number of studies that have shown increased prevalence of overweight and obesity in people with learning disabilities. This qualitative study set out to consider the underweight status. The prevalence of underweight is also relatively high in people with learning disabilities, but as the authors state, it is not clear from the literature [read the full story…]

Understanding the concept of death helps people with learning disabilities during the bereavement process

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Since the formation in 1998 of the palliative care for people with learning disabilities network, there has been some work bringing together service providers and carers to enable better co-ordination of care for the benefit of people with learning disabilities who have palliative care needs. However, there is still a lack of research into the [read the full story…]

Over inclusive definition of vulnerability may limit life experiences of people with learning disabilities

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Protection of vulnerable adults has received increasing attention in recent years. This study set out to identify the views of support staff about what vulnerability means and how this might impact on their practice. The author used data from a previous study in which support staff views had been explored. The author used semi-structured interviews [read the full story…]

Study suggests little support for cultural needs given to people with mild learning disabilities from minority ethnic communities

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There is little in the literature at present about the lived experience of people with mild learning disabilities from minority ethnic communities. This qualitative study set out to look at this issue and to generate a deeper understanding of their experiences. The author individually interviewed four adults with mild learning disabilities who were being supported [read the full story…]

Study findings suggest need for policy reconciliation between duty of care and promoting autonomy

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National policy in the UK surrounding the support of people with learning disabilities stresses the autonomy of people in receipt of support and the need for those who support them to maximise this. However, support workers also have a duty of care and can find these two policy objectives in conflict with each other. The [read the full story…]

Differences in perspective still exist between parents with learning disabilities and professionals employed to support them

Suggestions for future research include developing effective and cost effective models of person centred care, supported living and developing approaches to support family members and carers.

The researcher in this study set out to explore the differences in perspectives that exist between parents with learning disabilities and the professionals employed to support them. Parents with disabilities may report having little say in the nature of the support they receive and may feel as though they are being coerced into accepting whatever [read the full story…]