Care homes for profound multiple learning disabilities (PMLD)

With the right support, people living with profound multiple learning disabilities (PMLD) can lead meaningful lives and make their own choices.

Many care homes across the UK have the knowledge, tools and facilities to give individuals with PMLD access to long-term, high-quality support. This enables people with PMLD to create memories and enhance their quality of life.

What is PMLD?

A person with PMLD has a combination of a severe learning disability and other disabilities and may require 24- hour extensive and complex care. They are more likely to have conditions such as respiratory diseases, epilepsy, coronary heart disease and Osteoporosis.

PMLD has a significant impact on a person’s ability to live independently as they may have severely reduced mobility, difficulties with communication as well as seeing and hearing. As a result, people with PMLD may need support with everything from eating, going to the toilet, dressing and washing.

Although people with PMLD are among the most disabled in society, they can form relationships, enjoy activities and engage with the world around them.

Some care homes have specialist facilities, equipment and staff who are particularly skilled in caring for people with PMLD.

The support provided in care homes includes physiotherapy, hydrotherapy, help with communication, purpose-built aids and adaptations as well as help to fulfil education choices and needs.

Care homes are well-informed of the Mental Health Capacity Act and will support the person to make their own decisions and always aim to act in their best interests.

Personalised care plans and special facilities

Care homes create care plans tailored to individual needs, outlining the resident’s health needs, what type of care they require and their wishes.

Care homes are able to design activities, including social activities in the community, to accommodate the needs and preferences a person with PMLD may have. This encourages the person with PMLD to engage with others and experience what life has to offer.

Care homes work closely with specialists in the community, such as occupational therapists, and can ensure that regular and annual health checks are carried out. This also benefits the staff as they can better understand the needs of the individual better.

In a care home, a person with PMLD has their basic health needs cared for effectively 24 hours a day. This includes being aware of the person’s dental and oral hygiene, weight changes, appetite, eye care and vision, and more.

Care homes specialising in caring for people with learning disabilities have purposely-designed facilities and equipment. This can include track hoists, spa and swimming pools, multi-sensory rooms, audio loop systems, adapted vehicles and more.

Help with communication

Many people with PMLD have difficulties communicating and may be non-verbal. Care homes that accommodate people with PMLD use other methods of communication to ensure the individual can make choices and decisions.

Care home staff build lasting, positive relationships with the person and can recognise changes in behaviour and when they are in pain.

Support with communication can include technology such as touch screens, speech therapists and Intensive Interaction. Intensive Interaction is a practical approach whereby the communication partner adjusts their behaviour.

For example, altering their voice to make them less threatening, letting the person with PMLD take the lead as well as treating actions as communication.

Care homes can also utilise their links with health professionals to use the services of speech therapists.

Postural care

Failing to protect your body shape can cause a range of health implications, including curvature of the spine (scoliosis), difficulty with breathing, poor digestion and pressure on internal organs.

As a person with PMLD may struggle with movement, it is important that they receive postural care to maintain their body shape. If they are not able to maintain their body shape, it can lead to suffering, pain and even premature death.

To protect their residents’ body shape, many care homes and their staff have the necessary training to support people with PMLD. Consistent postural support, both day and night, is important to reduce the risk of health complications.

As care homes have connections to health professionals in the local community, they are able to arrange appointments with physiotherapists, GPs and nurses as well as various therapists and services.

Finding a care home for people with PMLD

Finding the right care home can be difficult as you want to make sure that your loved one will receive the love and care that they need and deserve.

On carehome.co.uk you can search for care homes in your area that specialise in caring for people with PMLD.