The needs of older people with learning disabilities.
There has been a growing realization that the needs of older people with learning disabilities are not being met. There has been little attention paid in nursing literature to the needs of this client group. This article will explore the issues about older people with learning disabilities and highlight some of the important areas that learning disability nurses may need to address. It is evident that there needs to be more collaboration between a range of different services and professionals. Areas of good practice can be used in developing innovative and flexible services, which are client led. Learning disability nurses may need to update their skills and knowledge and develop a 'critical practice' approach to meet the many challenges that older people with learning disabilities may pose.
Jenkins
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School of Care Sciences, Glyntaf Campus, University of Glamorgan, Pontypridd.
D000368:Aged; D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000451:nursing / Q000523:psychology; D017028:Caregivers / Q000523:psychology; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006801:Humans; D007859:Learning Disabilities / Q000451:nursing* / Q000523:psychology; D009723:Nurse-Patient Relations; D009730:Nursing Assessment; D009733:Nursing Diagnosis; D011368:Professional-Family Relations