ERIC Number: EJ1168529
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2018-Mar
Pages: 12
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1354-4187
EISSN: N/A
Improving Services for People with Learning Disabilities and Dementia: Findings from a Service Evaluation Exploring the Perspectives of Health and Social Care Professionals
Chapman, Melanie; Lacey, Huma; Jervis, Nicola
British Journal of Learning Disabilities, v46 n1 p33-44 Mar 2018
Background: Dementia prevalence rates are higher amongst people with learning disabilities than the general population. People with Down's syndrome are at even greater risk of developing dementia and of developing dementia at an earlier age. This study, conducted as part of a wider service evaluation, explored community learning disability team perspectives on screening, pathways, training, information and supports developed to improve services for people with learning disabilities and dementia. Methods: A focus group was held with health and social care professionals working in community learning disability services. Thematic analysis was used to analyse the data. Results: The dementia screening, pathways and processes had become embedded in practice, leading to a common framework, an efficient, multidisciplinary, proactive approach, earlier detection and diagnosis of dementia and identification of other health needs and issues. This avoided crisis situations supporting people to remain at home longer. Training and information were felt to improve care quality and reduce caregiver anxiety. People with learning disabilities and caregivers were involved to varying extents. External influences impacting on support included the availability, appropriateness, cost and effectiveness of different models of service provision. Conclusions: Service developments have been made as a result of the findings which suggest that dementia pathways and supports improve service provision and outcomes for people with learning disabilities. It is important to develop the evidence base on the effectiveness of different service models for people with learning disabilities and dementia. Future studies need to gather views of people with learning disabilities and carers.
Descriptors: Learning Disabilities, Dementia, Program Evaluation, Screening Tests, Training, Health Services, Focus Groups, Health Personnel, Caseworkers, Social Work, Housing, Caregiver Attitudes, Clinical Diagnosis, Foreign Countries, Down Syndrome
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: United Kingdom
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A