Support needs of older people with intellectual disabilities:An exploratory study among psychologists in the Netherlands

Background:  Information regarding the common-daily support needs of older people with intellectual disabilities remains scarce, despite the necessity of such knowledge to the provision of adequate support. This exploratory study aims to identify the most important support needs.  Method:  A mixed-method design was conducted, in which 11 semi-structured interviews were held with psychologists to gain insight into the support needs of older people with intellectual disabilities.  Results:  The data provide an overview of the support needs of older people with intellectual disabilities in all quality-of-life (QoL) domains. Physical well-being, emotional well-being, interpersonal relationships and self-determination were identified as the most important domains for older people with intellectual disabilities.  Conclusions:  The findings of this study may guide the development of a specific training for support staff and constitute a valuable contribution to raising awareness among support staff concerning the broad range of support needs existing among older people with intellectual disabilities

Psychosocial interventions for older people with intellectual disabilities and the role of support staff: A systematic review

Background: The life expectancy of people with intellectual disabilities has increased. The implications of ageing have resulted in changes in their support needs and challenges to support staff. Access to evidence based strategies for support staff providing care to elderly with intellectual disabilities remains scarce. A systematic review was conducted to provide an overview of available psychosocial interventions. Methods: Four databases were searched and assessed according to the PRISMA guidelines. A narrative, integrative method of analysis was conducted to synthesise quantitative and qualitative data. Results: The 36 studies included in the review reported on interventions aimed at either identifying and meeting the needs or perceptions of older individuals or at improving their behaviour and skills. Furthermore, the role of support staff in the implementation of interventions was either active, assisting or undefined. Conclusions: This overview of studies could contribute to the existing body of knowledge and help to optimise psychosocial support for a growing population

Psychosocial interventions for older people with intellectual disabilities and the role of support staff:A systematic review

BACKGROUND: The life expectancy of people with intellectual disabilities has increased. The implications of ageing have resulted in changes in their support needs and challenges to support staff. Access to evidence based strategies for support staff providing care to elderly with intellectual disabilities remains scarce. A systematic review was conducted to provide an overview of available psychosocial interventions. METHODS: Four databases were searched and assessed according to the PRISMA guidelines. A narrative, integrative method of analysis was conducted to synthesise quantitative and qualitative data. RESULTS: The 36 studies included in the review reported on interventions aimed at either identifying and meeting the needs or perceptions of older individuals or at improving their behaviour and skills. Furthermore, the role of support staff in the implementation of interventions was either active, assisting or undefined. CONCLUSIONS: This overview of studies could contribute to the existing body of knowledge and help to optimise psychosocial support for a growing population

Providing person-centred care to older people with intellectual disabilities during the COVID-19 pandemic:Experiences of direct support workers

Background:  Although the current preventive measures relating to COVID-19 can lead to challenges in the daily work of direct support workers (e.g. keeping 1.5 m distance), it remains vital to uphold the principles of person-centred care when working with older people with intellectual disabilities. The current study explores the extent to which direct support workers have been able to apply a specific form of person-centred care (i.e. integrated emotion-oriented care, or IEOC) when working with older people with intellectual disabilities during the COVID-19 pandemic.  Method:  Six direct support workers from five facilities serving older people with intellectual disabilities in the Netherlands participated in this qualitative study. They participated in a two-hour focus group, which was transcribed verbatim, and the transcript was analysed thematically.  Results:  Three themes emerged: (i) the negative impact of changes due to the COVID-19 measures on service users; (ii) the adaptation of direct support workers to changes due to the COVID-19 measures; and (iii) putting the needs and wishes of service users first.  Conclusion:  This study provides first impressions into the experiences of direct support workers providing person-centred care to older people with intellectual disabilities during the COVID-19 pandemic