Meeting the care needs of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families through the Model of Nursing Based on Activities of Living.

AIM

This study aimed to identify the problems families of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities face in meeting their family members' care needs, using the Model of Nursing Based on Activities of Living, and planned implemented and evaluated the nursing interventions to fulfill these care needs.

METHOD

A cross-sectional screening model was used in the study. One hundred families of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, who accepted home visits between September 2008 and December 2008, were included in the study.

RESULTS

The study revealed a statistically significant difference ( < 0.05) between the Model of Nursing Based on Activities of Living total mean scores of care needs in the pre- (1.69 ± 0.21) and post-nursing intervention (1.50 ± 0.24) periods. Nurse-led interventions for daily life activities of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families were found to be effective ( < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

In line with the Model of Nursing Based on Activities of Living, nurse-led collaboration with families and relevant institutions positively contributed to meeting the care needs of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families.