Intellectual disabilities and dementia: New tasks and experiences of Austrian formal caregivers

In Austria, due to its history, only relatively little research on the topic of intellectual disabilities and dementia has been conducted to date. The present study thus aims to explore the challenges and tasks currently facing formal caregivers, together with assessing their wishes for further development.

Ten semi-structured interviews were held with formal caregivers. Interviews were transcribed and analysed by means of structured qualitative content analysis.

Caregivers must deal with conflicts between residents, and with increasing demands for care and emotional support. Education and training on dementia and intellectual disability are mostly of high quality, but still remain insufficient. Caregivers would like to see suitable adaptation of care premises, smaller groups, more staff and better training on dementia and intellectual disability.

To ensure quality care and 'ageing in place', caregivers and providers need to pay greater attention to dementia-related changes when planning and adapting services.