RESUMO
Older adults with Down syndrome (DS) and dementia are an emerging sub-population. With much longer life spans than decades ago, issues have arisen as to where these aging adults will live and how nurses and other staff in facilities can provide effective care to these individuals. The current article presents a research study that examined the learnings of nurses and staff members working within a western Canadian program for older adults with DS and dementia. These learnings include: the importance of learning from each other; importance of collaboration; how individuals with developmental disabilities communicate; older adults with DS and dementia differ from older adults with dementia; and residents' impact on staff. [Journal of Gerontological Nursing, 45(5), 17-22.].
Assuntos
Demência/enfermagem , Deficiências do Desenvolvimento/enfermagem , Síndrome de Down/enfermagem , Enfermagem Geriátrica/normas , Assistência de Longa Duração/normas , Enfermagem em Neurociência/normas , Guias de Prática Clínica como Assunto , Idoso , Idoso de 80 Anos ou mais , Canadá , Feminino , Humanos , MasculinoRESUMO
The purpose of the current study was to explore family members' perceptions of supports received during the transition experience of their older adult family member into a nursing home. In this exploratory, descriptive, qualitative study, interviews were conducted with six family members during the initial 6-month period following admission of the older adult family members. One overarching theme was found: importance of recognizing and supporting the personhood of older adult family members. Implications for how older adults' personhood can be supported are described. [Journal of Gerontological Nursing, 43(11), 9-14.].