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Training of Residential Social Care Staff to Meet the Needs of Older People with Intellectual Disabilities who Develop Age‐Related Health Problems: An Exploratory Study
Author(s) -
Northway Ruth,
Jenkins Robert,
HollandHart Daniella
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
journal of applied research in intellectual disabilities
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.056
H-Index - 63
eISSN - 1468-3148
pISSN - 1360-2322
DOI - 10.1111/jar.12283
Subject(s) - exploratory research , intellectual disability , health care , psychology , work (physics) , nursing , training (meteorology) , aged care , relation (database) , residential care , social care , gerontology , meaning (existential) , medicine , sociology , psychiatry , mechanical engineering , physics , database , meteorology , anthropology , computer science , engineering , economics , economic growth , psychotherapist
Background Despite awareness of the age related health needs of people with intellectual disabilities little is known regarding how residential social care staff are prepared to meet such needs. Methods Data were gathered via semi‐structured interviews from 14 managers of supported living settings. Transcripts were thematically analysed. Findings Staff may work in supported living settings with no prior experience of care work, and previous knowledge/experience of supporting people in relation to their health is not required. Whilst health related training is provided there is a lack of specific training regarding healthy ageing, and training seems to be reactive to changing needs of tenants meaning that proactive monitoring for changes in health status may not occur. Conclusions Whilst some training is provided for residential social care staff in relation to health and ageing a more proactive approach is required which should include a focus on healthy ageing.