Challenges in Care and Service Provision for Older Adults with Intellectual Disabilities and Complex Age-Related Conditions in Ireland
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Journal ArticleDate:
2024Access:
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Sheerin, F., Fleming, S., May, P., McCallion, P., McCarron, M., Naseer, A., Lalor, G. & D'Eath, M., Challenges in Care and Service Provision for Older Adults with Intellectual Disabilities and Complex Age-Related Conditions in Ireland, British Journal of Learning Disabilities, 2024Download Item:
Abstract:
Background: People with intellectual disabilities are living longer and are increasingly
diverse, with health and care needs that are varied and complex. Without changes to
funding, services have found it difficult to respond to needs and wishes.
Method: A descriptive mixed methods design study, data were collected through
questionnaire, focus groups and individual interviews from intellectual disability
service managers, direct care staff and older people with intellectual disabilities and
family members.
Results: Continued reticence on the part of some community healthcare providers to
treat people with intellectual disability was noted. Although some service
innovations were noted, housing, staffing levels, staff mix and the timely provision
of equipment were all reported to impact the ability of services to respond to
changing needs. Current per‐capita funding practices were reported as unresponsive
to growing age‐related complexity and fundamentally unsustainable.
Conclusions: The health inequalities experienced by people with intellectual
disabilities are compounded as they age with complex age‐related health needs.
There is an urgent need for revision of the service model in Ireland and instigation of
flexible and responsive approaches to funding.
Author's Homepage:
http://people.tcd.ie/sheerinfhttp://people.tcd.ie/mccallip
http://people.tcd.ie/mccarrm
http://people.tcd.ie/flemins
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British Journal of Learning Disabilities;Availability:
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Health, Research, Intellectual disabilityDOI:
10.1111/bld.12572Metadata
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