ERIC Number: EJ835314
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2008-Dec
Pages: 8
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1741-1122
EISSN: N/A
Adaptation of Flemish Services to Accommodate and Support the Aging of People with Intellectual Disabilities
Maes, Bea; Van Puyenbroeck, Joris
Journal of Policy and Practice in Intellectual Disabilities, v5 n4 p245-252 Dec 2008
The authors attempted to find out to what extent and in which ways, in Belgium, have Flemish services for people with intellectual disability adapted to the specific needs of aging people. A study was undertaken and a questionnaire was developed to address the following research topics: (1) accommodations and personnel, (2) staff working methods, and (3) staff views and attitudes. The questionnaire was completed by 66 coordinating staff members in as many facilities. At the time of our study, these services supported 310 (27%) persons with Down syndrome age 40 years and older and 833 (73%) persons with intellectual disability (other than Down syndrome) age 55 years and older. Adaptations in accommodation and personnel management were obvious in the majority of the participating services. The working methods reflected a person-centered philosophy, regardless of the age-factor. An exploratory factor analysis revealed three different staff approaches: an activating/socializing, disengaging, and methodical. Participation in activities and involvement in social relations have a prominent place in the staff's views. In general, the authors found that about two-thirds of the services have started to modify their accommodation and personnel to the needs of aging people with intellectual disability. The authors note also that the results suggest there is still a lot of work to do in improving staff training, introducing specific working methods, and in altering stereotypical staff attitudes to assure a good "aging in place."
Descriptors: Mental Retardation, Personnel Management, Down Syndrome, Measures (Individuals), Factor Analysis, Foreign Countries, Aging (Individuals), Older Adults, Questionnaires, Social Services, Caregivers, Delivery Systems, Caregiver Attitudes, Participation, Interpersonal Relationship, Staff Development, Stereotypes
Blackwell Publishing. 350 Main Street, Malden, MA 02148. Tel: 800-835-6770; Tel: 781-388-8599; Fax: 781-388-8232; e-mail: customerservices@blackwellpublishing.com; Web site: http://www.blackwellpublishing.com/jnl_default.asp
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Belgium
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A