A palliative care resource for professional carers of people with learning disabilities
Professional carers of people with learning disabilities should have information on palliative care, in a format that they can relate to, to enable them to care for a resident who has a life-threatening illness in the home environment
The information booklet won a first prize in the Mid tech innovations competition in August 2006.Since writing this article, the author has had a book published by Radcliffe entitled “Palliative Care for Care Homes: A Practical Handbook”. ISBN:9781846192487.
Abstract
REDDALL C. (2010) European Journal of Cancer CareA palliative care resource for professional carers of people with learning disabilities
People with learning disabilities who have a life-threatening illness, are as entitled as other members of the population to receive good palliative care in their home of choice. However, professional carers of people with learning disability are generally unaware of the meaning of palliative care, and how they can access palliative care support. More importantly, they may feel they are not capable of caring for a resident with a life-threatening illness in the home environment. This article uses a case study to help illustrate the value of compiling a resource booklet for professional carers of people with learning disabilities. By providing information on palliative care, that is easy to understand and easily accessible, professional carers of these people can have a valuable resource which will enable them to provide general palliative care when needed. (I use the term professional carers to refer to carers who are paid to look after people with learning disabilities either in care homes, or in supported living homes in the general community.)
