Abstract
 People with a learning disability are living longer. This increased longevity brings with it the conditions of older age including dementia. Amongst people in the general population who have dementia there is inadequate pain recognition and treatment. Limited research has been undertaken on the pain management needs of people with a learning disability who have dementia, yet they will experience high levels of physical health needs that will, as a consequence, result in pain.
Responding to the pain experiences of people with a learning difficulty and dementia
 
  Keywords
 
 
  
   Down's syndrome
  
 
 
  
   Dementia
  
 
 
  
   Pain
  
 
Abstract
 People with a <dis>learning disability</dis> are living longer.
This increased longevity brings with it the conditions of older age including <dis>dementia</dis>.
Amongst people in the general population who have <dis>dementia</dis> there is inadequate pain recognition and treatment.
Limited research has been undertaken on the pain management needs of people with a <dis>learning disability</dis> who have <dis>dementia</dis>, yet they will experience high levels of physical health needs that will, as a consequence, result in pain.
The research study ‘Responding to the Pain needs of People with a Learning Disability and Dementia’ explored the detection, management and understanding of pain amongst a range of professional groups involved in supporting people with a <dis>learning disability</dis> who have <dis>dementia</dis>.
The study also recorded the experiences and views of some people with a <dis>learning disability</dis> who had <dis>dementia</dis>.
The dilemmas and obstacles to effective pain management were explored.
It was found that the pain experiences and management of people with a <dis>learning disability</dis> who have <dis>dementia</dis> mirrored findings in the general population.
The research did, however, identify extra and compounding issues in relation to people with a <dis>learning disability</dis>.
Drawing on this research this article outlines recommendations for practitioners and service providers and discusses the key lessons for responding more effectively to pain in people with Down’s syndrome and <dis>dementia</dis>.

Abstract
 People with a learning disability are living longer.
This increased longevity brings with it the conditions of older age including dementia.
Amongst people in the general population who have dementia there is inadequate pain recognition and treatment.
Limited research has been undertaken on the pain management needs of people with a learning disability who have dementia, yet they will experience high levels of physical health needs that will, as a consequence, result in pain.
The research study ‘Responding to the Pain needs of People with a Learning Disability and Dementia’ explored the detection, management and understanding of pain amongst a range of professional groups involved in supporting people with a learning disability who have dementia.
The study also recorded the experiences and views of some people with a learning disability who had dementia.
The dilemmas and obstacles to effective pain management were explored.
It was found that the pain experiences and management of people with a learning disability who have dementia mirrored findings in the general population.
The research did, however, identify extra and compounding issues in relation to people with a learning disability.
Drawing on this research this article outlines recommendations for practitioners and service providers and discusses the key lessons for responding more effectively to pain in people with Down’s syndrome and dementia.

Abstract
 People with a <dis>learning disability</dis> are living longer. This increased longevity brings with it the conditions of older age including <dis>dementia</dis>. Amongst people in the general population who have <dis>dementia</dis> there is inadequate pain recognition and treatment. Limited research has been undertaken on the pain management needs of people with a <dis>learning disability</dis> who have <dis>dementia</dis>, yet they will experience high levels of physical health needs that will, as a consequence, result in pain.
learning disability
DISABILITY
dementia
DISABILITY
dementia
DISABILITY
learning disability
DISABILITY
dementia
DISABILITY