Understanding Learning Disability and Dementia covers all the essential issues in supporting a person with a learning disability when they develop dementia.Like the population at large, people with learning disabilities are living longer, and therefore an increasing number are developing dementia. Service providers, planners, doctors, social workers, carers and direct support staff need to be equipped with relevant knowledge prior to the onset of dementia, so that they can devise appropriate therapeutic interventions and coping strategies, including health and medication management and palliative care.This book will provide essential knowledge for anyone involved in the provision of services, assessment of need and direct care and support for dementia sufferers who also have a learning disability.

Diana Kerr has worked for many years as practitioner, educator, trainer and researcher in the fields of dementia and learning disability. She runs numerous courses on learning disability and dementia for voluntary, statutory and private providers, as well as for carers. She is currently a Research Fellow at the University of Edinburgh.

Introduction. 1. What is a Learning Disability? 2. What is Dementia? 3. Getting a Diagnosis. 4. Working with Different Realities. 5. Maintaining Good Communication. 6. Therapeutic Interventions. 7. Challenging Behaviour. 8. Responding to the Pain Needs of People with a Learning Disability and Dementia. 9. The Experiences and Needs of Peers. 10. Supporting People to Eat Well. 11. Creating Supportive Physical Environments. 12. The Role of Technology. 13. Late and End Stage Care. 14. Issues and Concerns for Relatives. 15. Some Issues in Relation to Medication. 16. Models of Care. A Plea for the Future. References. Subject index. Author index.