Ageing & Learning Disabilities

Age related conditions generally manifest themselves over a period of time; thus the needs and independence of people changes.

This one day course designed for support workers aims to support them to recognise, observe and take positive action to support these changing needs in order to maximise and enhance the service user’s quality of life.

Learning objectives:

By the end of the course the learner should be able to understand:

A.

• The process of ageing—what social changes may occur
• What psychological changes may occur
• The effects of bereavement
• How ageing can impact on people’s self esteem/self image and affect their motivation
• How life style can cause illness and disease
• The common Mental Health needs that may arise in later years:
        -Dementia
        -Depression
        -etc
• A variety of age related conditions and the impact these may have on the person:
        -Parkinson’s disease
        -Diabetes
        -Heart and respiratory failure
        -Rheumatoid arthritis
        -Osteoporosis
        -Decreasing mobility
        -Stroke and transient ischemic attacks
        -Bowel abnormalities
        -Urinary tract infections
        -Visual impairment— e.g. macular degeneration
• The physical impairments that may develop e.g. Hearing, sight, mobility
• What is meant by ‘quality of life’
• The effects of bereavement on the service user and how they can give appropriate support
• How dependency can develop

B.

• Statistical links between Learning Disabilities and Alzheimer’s disease
• Society’s attitude to ageing and Learning Disabilities
• The changing care and support needs and levels of dependency of the person with Learning Disabilities
• The role and responsibilities of the support worker
• Observation, Awareness and understanding of the specific needs of the service user with Learning Disabilities
  and ageing
• What is meant by Person Centred care and what this means in practice
• How to promote and encourage independence during the ageing process
• The use of Medication—positive and negative
• The impact on families/relatives
• The safety needs—the impact of change with ageing
• The importance and relevance of Risk Assessment
• Relevant legislation and professional guidelines
• Service user’s rights

Training methods:

• Tutor presentations
• Role play
• OHP/PowerPoint presentation
• Group work
• Discussions
• Case scenarios
• Tutor presentations
• Handouts
• Chalk & talk

CP27/4.9