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Service Provision to Older Adults with Developmental Disabilities: A Survey of Service Providers

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  29 November 2010

Bruce Sparks ,
Valerie Temple ,
Melanie Springer  and
Kevin P. Stoddart
Bruce Sparks
Affiliation:
Surrey Place Centre
Valerie Temple
Affiliation:
Surrey Place Centre
Melanie Springer
Affiliation:
Surrey Place Centre and University of Toronto
Kevin P. Stoddart
Affiliation:
Surrey Place Centre
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Abstract

A survey of service providers was undertaken to identify issues regarding the provision of service to aging adults with developmental disabilities (DD). Seventy-five questionnaires were sent to 38 agencies involved in the support of older adults with and without disabilities. Forty-four or 59 per cent of surveys were returned. Results suggested that service providers did not feel adequately trained to address many of the needs of aging adults with DD. Respondents requested additional training in dealing with such issues as the health and medical concerns of older adults with DD, and recreational and retirement planning for aging clients with DD. Service providers also required assistance from professionals such as psychologists and medical personnel who were knowledgeable about aging and/or DD. Results were consistent with previous surveys in finding that training for service providers and medical/health care support were key issues. The information reported here updates and extends our knowledge of the needs of those involved in the support of aging adults with DD in the Canadian service sector and details the specific types of information and support required. Preliminary recommendations for modifications to service delivery, policy, and educational programs, are offered.

Résumé

On a effectué un sondage des prestateurs de services pour déterminer les enjeux de la prestation de services aux adultes vieillissant souffrant de troubles de développement. On a fait parvenir 75 questionnaires à 38 organismes s'occupant de soutien aux aîné(e)s souffrant ou non de troubles de développement. Quarante-quatre, soit 59 pour cent des questionnaires, ont été retournés. Les résultats laissent entendre que les prestateurs de services ne se sentent pas bien formés pour répondre à plusieurs des besoins des adultes vieillissant souffrant de troubles de développement. Les personnes ayant répondu au questionnaire ont demandé de la formation supplémentaire pour s'occuper de certains aspects des soins, notamment la santé et les inquiétudes médicales des adultes vieillissant souffrant de troubles de développement ainsi que pour la planification de leurs loisirs et de leur retraite. Ils ont également demandé de l'aide de professionnels, par exemple des psychologues et du personnel médical, connaissant la population dont ils s'occupent. Les résultats se rapprochaient de ceux de sondages précédents faisant ressortir l'importance de la formation des soignants et de l'appui médical. Les renseignements recueillis mettent à jour et étendent nos connaissances des besoins de ceux qui se consacrent au service des aîné(e)s vieillissant(e)s souffrant de troubles de développement au Canada et fournissent des détails sur les types de données et de soutien nécessaires. Le document présente également des recommandations préliminaires sur la modification de la prestation des services, sur les politiques et sur les programmes éducatifs.

Keywords

AgingDevelopmental DisabilitiesOlder PersonsService Needs.Vieillissementtroubles de développementaîné(e)sbesoins de services.
Type
Articles
Information
Canadian Journal on Aging / La Revue canadienne du vieillissement , Volume 19 , Issue 2 , Été/Summer 2000 , pp. 210 - 222
Copyright
Copyright © Canadian Association on Gerontology 2000

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