Associations between use of equipment in the performance of activities of daily living and falls in older adults with ID
Sinead Foran
w
Sinéad is the programme lead on the BSc (Hons) in Intellectual Disability Nursing at Waterford Institute of Technology. Her background as a Registered Nurse in Intellectual Disabilities has given her a keen interest in the lives people with ID across the lifespan. She developed the Certificate in Skills for Independent Living, a 3rd level educational programme for adults with intellectual disabilities which is now in its 6th year at WIT. Sinead was a field researcher and team member of the Wave 1 Intellectual Disability Supplement to the Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing and She is currently undertaking her Phd under the supervison of Prof Philip McCallion and Prof Mary McCarron
Abstract
Background This study forms part of the Wave 1 The Intellectual Disability Supplement to the Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing (IDS-TILDA); the first study of its kind, in Ireland and internationally, to record a wide range... [ view full abstract ]
Background
This study forms part of the Wave 1 The Intellectual Disability Supplement to the Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing (IDS-TILDA); the first study of its kind, in Ireland and internationally, to record a wide range of data across multiple domains specific to the lives of older adults with ID in Ireland.
People with intellectual disabilities (ID) experience significant lifelong challenges in the execution of activities of daily living (ADLs) and these activities often require use of aids and equipment. Additionally, people with ID experience a high rate of falls every year and at a much younger age than has been found in the general population
Aim and objectives of the study
This exploratory study examined the association between the use of equipment in the performance of ADLs and falls in older adults with ID.
Method
Participants were asked to specify the types of aids and equipment used to assist with ADLs such as getting dressed, walking across a room, bathing or showering, getting in or out of bed and using the toilet.
Secondary data analysis Wave 1 IDS-TILDA responses to these questions (N = 753) utilized chi-square tests of independence and univariate logistical regression analysis to establish statistically significance of relationships between falling and the use of aids or equipment.
Ethical approval was obtained from the Faculty of Health Sciences Ethic Committee at Trinity College Dublin and from the ethics committees of all participating services/organizations (n=138).
Findings
Use of aids and equipment was high amongst older adults with ID and there were statistically significant associations between use of equipment when walking, bathing and using the toilet both with falls in the previous 12 months and with multiple falls (≥2).
Conclusions and Implications
Use of aids and equipment was associated with falling in this population. This has important implications for older adults with ID and their carers. Balancing the assessment of risk and promoting falls management strategies with efforts to continue the promotion of independence are and will be important issues for consideration with this population and their carers.
Authors
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Sinead Foran
(w)
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Philip McCallion
(University of Albany, State University of New York)
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Mary McCarron
(Trinity College Dublin)
Topic Area
Intellectual Disability
Session
ID-1 » Intellectual Disability 1 (10:30 - Thursday, 5th November, Lecture Theatre 2.57)
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