Health promotion in two community contexts with adults with learning disabilities: Key considerations for practice

Abstract

Adults with learning disabilities tend to lead unhealthier lifestyles than those in the general population. As their life expectancies improve with medical advances this leaves them vulnerable to conditions such as Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus, Cardiovascular Disease and certain cancers. However, adults with learning disabilities may struggle to access traditional health promotion efforts due to their cognitive and physical impairments, and thus rely on the support of carers to make health-related decisions in their daily lives. To meet this disparity, a theory-based health promotion intervention was piloted and delivered in two different community social care contexts providing services to this population. Whilst delivering these interventions in community contexts was important for uptake in this vulnerable cohort, key differences emerged in participation according to whether the interventions were delivered in drop-in versus residential contexts. These included differences in level of learning disability and associated salient health issues, participant motivation, teaching facilities and carer involvement in the intervention. These are important for health psychology practitioners to consider when working with adults with learning disabilities and facilitating their engagement in behaviour change interventions.