Premium
The Role of the Specialist Health Visitor in Aberdeen for People with a Learning Disability
Author(s) -
Milne Kenneth M.
Publication year - 1993
Publication title -
journal of the british institute of mental handicap (apex)
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.633
H-Index - 39
eISSN - 1468-3156
pISSN - 0261-9997
DOI - 10.1111/j.1468-3156.1993.tb00706.x
Subject(s) - visitor pattern , learning disability , nursing , psychology , quality (philosophy) , service (business) , medicine , medical education , psychiatry , business , marketing , philosophy , epistemology , computer science , programming language
People with learning disabilities living in the community often experience lack of appropriate support to maintain a desirable quality of life. Health and social problems can and do cause those clients unnecessary problems which, in turn, produce stress on their carers. Community health visiting is an acceptable and normal service for all families. Part of the health visitor's role has always been the care and support of people with learning disabilities. It is desirable that health visitors supporting people with learning disabilities acquire specialist expertise but with only a few such clients on their case load, this is often difficult to achieve. This paper describes the role of the specialist health visitor working with clients, carers, teachers in schools for pupils with special needs and other professionals in attempting to facilitate a better quality of life for people with learning disabilities. This holistic approach is present throughout the lifespan of persons with learning disabilities and therefore provides continuity of care and support.