It is important to base health promotion strategies on a patient’s predictive factors

Caring for Adults with Developmental Delays

Ward, R.L., Nichols, A.D. & Freedman, R.I. (2010). Uncovering health care inequalities among adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Health & Social Work, 35(4), 280-290.

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Caring for Adults with Developmental Delays
When caring for patients with developmental delays (DD) there are many different aspects of care that the Advance Practice Nurse needs to be aware of. Many times pediatricians will care for patients with

DD well into adulthood because the transition of care is very difficult for the patients, families, and caretakers. Patient’s become extremely vulnerable when entering the adult orientated healthcare system because there are lack clinicians who are knowledgeable and skilled in the treatment of adults with DD, lack of regular health assessment and care, and lack of coordination among provider teams.

The healthcare disparities not only exist in the acute and long term care but also in preventative care.

DD is defined as a severe chronic disability caused by physical or mental impairments manifesting before the age 22 and is likely to continue indefinitely. The impairments may be self-care, receptive and expressive language,

mobility, self-direction, capacity for independent living, and economic self-sufficiency. The limitations would be in three or more of the categories. Many states define DD according to the specific diagnosis and all states have support and services to individuals that meet that state’s requirement for DD.

Some common syndromes seen in primary care are intellectual disabilities, cerebral palsy, autism spectrum disorder, genetic disorders, and epilepsy.

This unit also focuses on health promotion strategies. Health promotion is an important aspect of the role of the Advance Practice Nurse. In the last unit you focused on cost effective care and the increasing cost of providing care and the burden that it has placed on the economy.

One way to help decrease cost is to provide health promotion to the patients. It is important to base health promotion strategies on a patient’s predictive factors. In the Assignment this unit you will create a health promotion strategy that is culturally competent based on a prevalent culture in your area