Australians with intellectual disability in the dark about death

Researchers from the University of Sydney have embarked on a landmark project to ensure Australians with intellectual disability understand the concept of death and their own mortality, and are appropriately supported to comprehend and cope with end-of-life issues.

In a world-first, the Dying to Talk project is developing a research-based toolkit to support staff and caregivers to deliver individual information to adults with , and discuss end-of-life planning in everyday contexts.

Professor Roger Stancliffe from the University's Centre for Disability Research and Policy said access to information about is a , but those with an intellectual disability have frequently been marginalised and disempowered to make decisions about .

"Around three per cent of the Australian population has intellectual disability and if we fail to openly discuss dying, we are setting them on a path towards a 'disenfranchised' death," said Professor Stancliffe.

"It's a common misconception that people with intellectual disability don't know about death, but benevolent exclusion does not help a person with an intellectual disability manage their grief or cope with loss.

"All too often death isn't discussed until people with intellectual disability face the end of their own life or the death of a close loved one, and this can be very traumatic, leading to prolonged grief or adding to ."

The early findings of the three year Dying to Talk project- including the experiences of people with intellectual disability and support staff - will be shared at a conference at the University of Sydney on Tuesday 30 June.

Dr Michele Wiese from the Faculty of Health Sciences said the Dying to Talk project is important because life expectancy for people with intellectual disability is increasing with many confronting the death of ageing parents and planning their own end of life without the support of close family.

"Australians with intellectual disability are living longer so it's imperative we train staff in community living settings to help adults with intellectual disability learn about end of life and important decisions like organ donation, and funeral choices."

The researchers found that currently many support staff avoid discussions about death for fear of upsetting their clients, or do not feel they have adequate information to answer questions.

"With the right resources and training, support staff can help people with intellectual disability understand death and make their own decisions. Just as many already do about other important life choices like employment and relationships," said Dr Wiese.

Citation: Australians with intellectual disability in the dark about death (2015, June 29) retrieved 19 March 2024 from https://medicalxpress.com/news/2015-06-australians-intellectual-disability-dark-death.html
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