Background: Direct care workers (DCWs) caring for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (PWIDD) provide palliative care, but research indicates DCWs are ill-equipped to do so. This study aimed to assess DCWs' palliative care experience and training and their perceived training needs. Materials and Methods: Staff trained as DCWs…

Background: Although sexual rights are human rights, persons with developmental disabilities are often excluded from developing positive sexual health due to societal attitudes, stigma, a lack of education and limited opportunities. Methods: As a part of a 12-month participatory action research study in a western Canadian province, nine adults…

Background: People who have an intellectual or developmental disability (IDD) and asthma are at greater risk of poor health outcomes. They often require assistance from caregivers when managing their medicines. The objective of this pilot study was to assess the level of understanding of asthma self-management concepts of family caregivers who…

Research-informed policy and practice is needed for older caregivers of adult sons/daughters with disabilities. These caregivers are often under tremendous stress because of failing health, financial pressures, bereavement and worry about the future of their sons/daughters. Twenty-nine older parents/caregivers of 27 adults with intellectual and/or…

Carer communication skills contribute to the well being of individuals with learning disabilities. Few studies have examined the effectiveness of communication training interventions, and there is a lack of robust measures of outcome. A communication self-efficacy measure relevant to carers supporting adults with learning disabilities was…

This article discusses the findings from a study to assess the impact of corrective eye treatment in adults with a learning disability. The Special Visual Assessment Clinic (SVAC) is an optometry led multi professional service delivered in a Resource Centre in Belfast, Northern Ireland. The study, which included user and carer input in its design,…

Through the use of face-to-face interviews, this article explores residential carers' perceptions and understanding of a physiotherapy service provided to patients with a learning disability, with the aim of highlighting potential areas for improvement in the service. Carers involved in the study reported a good relationship with the…