Improving the respiratory health of adults with learning disabilities

Chapman, Melanie ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6668-1273, Clifford, Bernadette, Braunholtz, Heather, Hope, Liz and Ryan, Jenny (2018) Improving the respiratory health of adults with learning disabilities. Learning Disability Practice, 21 (4). pp. 18-23. ISSN 1465-8712

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Abstract

People with learning disabilities are more likely to die from respiratory tract disease and infections than people without learning disabilities. This article describes a lung health group developed by physiotherapists and speech and language therapists that was set up to improve the respiratory health of people with vulnerable respiratory status, particularly over the period of greatest risk of airborne respiratory infections. Its aim was to reduce the number and/or severity of chest infections and improve carers’ knowledge of respiratory health. The authors describe the group’s content and format, methods trialled to evaluate the group and the benefits of attending the group.