The role of nurses in meeting the health care needs of older people with intellectual disabilities

Abstract

People with intellectual disabilities are now living longer and as a consequence are likely to have greater physical and mental health needs compared to the general population. Nurses may have a crucial role to play in meeting such needs, although it is unclear whether nurses are prepared for this role. This review of the available literature found little evidence of nurses undertaking effective interventions in meeting the health needs of older people with intellectual disabilities in the UK and Ireland. Nurses have been alerted to the increase in numbers of older people with intellectual disabilities and offered some direction on their future role in this area. Most of the available literature is based mainly on informed opinion rather than research findings.

Exploring teachers’ perceptions on physical activity engagement for children and young people with intellectual disabilities

“…People with ID have a decreased ability to comprehend new or complex information and to learn and perform new skills, as a result this reduces their capability to live independently (WHO, 2012). Similar to that of the general population, people with ID are living longer and, as a result, those with ID are expected to have greater physical and mental needs (Jenkins, 2012).…”

Understanding the contemporary role of the intellectual disability nurse: A review of the literature

“…Community nurses working with people with ID most commonly facilitate access to health care services for people with ID and least commonly deliver direct physical care (Mafuba & Gates, ). Several authors discussed the role of nurses working with people with ID in supporting specific physical tasks such as breast examination and screening (Taggart et al., ), cervical cancer screening (Lloyd & Coulson, ), and mobility and falls risk assessment (Nelson & Carey, ), although Jenkins () found little evidence of nursing research being undertaken focused on effective interventions to meet the needs of older people with ID.…”

“…Supporting the health and well-being of people with ID at times means providing a range of medical care (Sheerin & McConkey, 2008) such as drug administration, vital sign observations and wound management (McKeon, 2009), as well as aspiration precautions and seizure management (Sheerin, 2008 (Mafuba & Gates, 2015). Several authors discussed the role of nurses working with people with ID in supporting specific physical tasks such as breast examination and screening (Taggart et al, 2011), cervical cancer screening (Lloyd & Coulson, 2014), and mobility and falls risk assessment (Nelson & Carey, 2016), although Jenkins (2012) found little evidence of nursing research being undertaken focused on effective interventions to meet the needs of older people with ID.…”

Supporting Primary Healthcare Professionals to Care for People with Intellectual Disability: A Research Agenda

“…The role and type of facilitator varies from the use of specific learning disability trained nurses in the UK to general nurses employed in disability organisations to augment healthcare delivery in Australia and Canada (Stanley ; Taggart et al . ; Jenkins ). This approach may be particularly beneficial where healthcare needs are complex, such as for individuals with multiple, overlapping physical and/or mental healthcare needs.…”