Caring for People with Learning Disabilities

Featuring 11 chapters, each one with a detailed glossary, Learning to Care for People with Learning Disabilities is designed to be used as a reference book in either the clinical setting, classroom or at home. Chapters are re-divided into discrete sections reflecting contemporary Learning Disability nursing practice. References to care in a range of primary and secondary care settings are made throughout the book. Each chapter begins with key points and concludes with a summary of the significant points to reinforce learning.

Caring for People with Learning Disabilities is a practice-based handbook with an up-to-date evidence base that challenges and encourages carers to develop a questioning approach to care provision. It emphasises the important relationship between theory and practice and helps those who care for people with a learning disability to understand fundamental aspects of clinical practice, in order to provide safe and effective learning disability care.

Care in a range of primary and secondary care settings is discussed throughout, with chapters on working with adults with learning disabilities, effective communication with health and social care teams, the importance of managing behaviours which pose challenges, mental health issues and adults with learning disabilities, health promotion and ethical, moral and legal issues. Each chapter opens with key points to enhance and encourage learning opportunities.

Contributors to this book come from both clinical practice backgrounds and the academic world. One key government publication, Valuing People: A New Strategy for Learning Disabilities for the 21^st Century (DH, 2001), is central explicitly or implicitly to deliberations.

  This book aims to help readers to provide health care and support for adults with learning disabilities build a foundation for their interventions, and enhance their personal and professional growth in relation to learning disability care

Ian Peate, Associate Head of School, School of Nursing and Midwifery, University of Herfordshire

Debra Fearnes, Senior Lecturer, Learning Disability Nursing, School of Nursing and Midwifery, University of Herfordshire.