Staff-Averse Challenging Behaviour in Older Adults with Intellectual Disabilities

Background People with intellectual disabilities are increasingly reaching older adulthood. Little is known about age-related change in the prevalence of challenging behaviours among older adults with intellectual disabilities. Materials and method The frequency and severity of staffaverse challenging behaviours of 132 older adults with intellectual disabilities was assessed through informant ratings on the Inventory of Client and Agency Planning at two time points 8–10 years apart. Results There was an intraindividual decline in the frequency and severity of challenging behaviour using both lenient and more restricted definitions of challenging behaviour. There was a low prevalence but high comorbidity of severe challenging behaviour. Level of mental retardation and adaptive behaviour were related to the frequency and severity of challenging behaviour. Conclusions An understanding of age-related intraindividual change in challenging behaviour has implications for staff wellbeing and optimizing the care of older adults with intellectual disabilities.