Background: This study explores the perceptions of supported accommodation staff and their managers of the support needs of residents ageing with intellectual disabilities, and their experiences of adjusting services for this group in the context of individualised funding. Method: Qualitative interviews were conducted with 21 staff working in…

Background: This study reports the findings from a Dutch study, exploring care workers' knowledge and perceptions of the online lives of adolescents with mild or borderline intellectual disabilities. Method: Using an inductive research design 33 semi-structured interviews were conducted with care workers. Results: Three themes were derived from…

Background: People with fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) and women who drink alcohol while pregnant can experience stigma, possibly exacerbated by stereotyped media portrayals. Method: To understand experiences of FASD stakeholders and reactions to news coverage, we conducted twelve focus groups across three categories: (1) people with FASD;…

Background: Organisational culture in group homes for people with intellectual disabilities has been identified as an influence on service delivery and staff behaviour. The aim was to examine patterns of culture across group homes in disability organisations. Method: The Group Home Culture Scale (GHCS) was used to measure staff perceptions of…

Background: Informal carers often play an integral role in the lives of people with intellectual disability (ID) residing in the community. In this study, we explored the extent to which carers of people with ID believe that the health care needs of the person they care for are being accommodated by general practice. Method: Semi-structured…

Background: Australian research indicates that post-parental care transitions are rarely planned and primarily occur following a crisis for a primary carer. This paper examines disability staff perceptions of transitions for people with intellectual disability and their ageing carers in rural South Australia. Method: A focus group interview model…

Background: Providing medical and dental care for adults with developmental disabilities requires specialised care that includes caregiver's perceptions of processes of care as integral to informing care delivery. Method: We examined the reach and efficacy of a medical-dental clinic serving adults with developmental disabilities as part of a…

Background: Paperwork can transform organisational aims into action in group homes, but it can also be problematic for staff. The aim of this study was to explore frontline staff perspectives on paperwork in group homes for people with intellectual disability. Methods: Constructivist grounded theory methodology guided the study. Data were…

Background: A faith-based (pseudonym, Adam's House -- AH) and a non-faith-based care service (pseudonym, Greenleaves -- GL) were explored to find out if and how spiritual support was provided for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDDs). Method: Six months were spent volunteering within each service and a mixed-methods…

Background: Research shows that up to 43% of disability support workers (DSWs) report poor psychosocial work outcomes (e.g., stress, job burnout, low job satisfaction). This study examined whether the job demand-control-(support) model offers a valid explanation of DSW burnout and work engagement. Method: 325 DSWs completed online measures of…

Background: Direct support providers (DSPs) in community residential services are often central figures in the lives of service recipients. There is little research to date focusing on what motivates these employees to remain in the field despite stressful work conditions. Methods: An exploratory descriptive analysis of qualitative data obtained…

Background: Increased life expectancy for people with intellectual disability is accompanied by increased age-related health concerns. People ageing with intellectual disability experience more health conditions and are relocated to aged care earlier than their age peers. Method: Group home staff were surveyed about their (a) training and…

Background: The number of older residents in group homes for people with intellectual disability (ID) is increasing. This interview study was focused on how group home staff address issues of ageing and being old among people with ID. Method: Twelve members of staff at 4 different group homes in Sweden were interviewed. Results: Findings revealed…

Background: The quality of life (QOL) perceptions reported by adults with intellectual disability (ID) might not reflect their QOL as assessed by support staff or family members. The main purpose of this research was to examine the consistency and agreement between self-report and report-of-others ratings and to analyse if there are predictors for…

Aims: Life expectancy for both sexes in Australia exceeds 80 years, with individuals with intellectual disability also increasingly living into older age. This research aimed to comparatively examine perceptions of staff supporting either older adults or age peers with lifelong intellectual disability. Methods: This project asked 420 medical,…