Providing intimate continence care for people with learning disabilities

This report on a qualitative study of intimate and personal care for adults with severe and profound learning disabilities explores the implications of its findings on dignity in relation to bowel and bladder function.

Participant observation in residential care homes, staff interviews and analysis of documents were used to ascertain the personal care experiences of six people with learning disabilities.

Observations highlighted areas requiring improvement. These included respect for service users' privacy and dignity, and the promotion of continence.

Examples of good practice were observed but these standards were not always maintained. This may be because staff found it easier to carry out intimate care if the service user's humanity was temporarily denied, or if they took a task-oriented approach to such care.

Intimate and personal care should be undertaken with respect for service users' privacy and dignity in every care setting.