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The use of anti-dementia medication in people with intellectual disabilities has been controversial and requires additional research to assess the efficacy of such medications. An essential part of this treatment (both in terms of research and clinical practice) is having robust outcome measures to assess the efficacy of these medications for individuals. Currently there is no consensus in the UK regarding which outcome measures, in conjunction with clinical judgement, are effective in informing clinicians’ decision-making regarding anti-dementia medication management and this paper aims to present useful outcome measures.

A comprehensive literature search was conducted to identify relevant outcome measures. Outcome measures focused on aspects of patients’ presentation such as cognition, activities of daily living, neuropsychiatric presentation or the impact of their presentation (either on themselves, or on others). These outcome measures were critically appraised to ascertain their suitability in informing clinician’s decisions regarding management of anti-dementia medication. The focus of this appraisal was on good quality measures that are practical and accessible and can be easily used within clinical NHS services.

This paper provides advice for clinicians on using appropriate outcome measures, depending on patients’ presentations and the symptoms of dementia being targeted, that can be used alongside their clinical assessment to enhance their anti-dementia medication management. Two case studies are presented to illustrate the use of such outcome measures.

The case for using a range of assessments that are both broad in focus, and those specifically selected to measure the areas of functioning targeted by the anti-dementia medication, is presented.

People with learning disabilities can be affected by complex health needs and their life expectancy is significantly reduced. Physical activity has a role in enhancing quality of life and better management of multiple health issues in this population especially if they are individually tailored to the service users’ abilities and care needs. Considering the complexities of communication, there is a need for a specific physical activity assessment tool in people with learning disabilities.

A multidisciplinary team of experts devised the Learning Disability Physical Activity Questionnaire (LDPAQ) as a tool to measure physical activity. The tool was tested within community and inpatient settings.

An easy-read, picture-based, self-reported and concise questionnaire with options relevant to people with learning disabilities was developed. Feedback from the audit confirmed ease of use and high levels of respondent satisfaction. A small-scale audit of the tool also confirmed the need for promoting physical activity within this population.

The LDPAQ is a novel questionnaire that aims to be a universally applicable tool for the assessment of physical activity status in people with learning disabilities. It is designed to be used by people with learning disabilities themselves, professionals and organisations. Further research is needed to explore the full potential of this tool.

The purpose of this paper is to provide an overview of a rare phenomenon of physical aggression in a Therapeutic Community (TC) and the clinical results of its management.

The case vignette illustrates the psychodynamic and socio-therapy elements of the treatment model worked within the service prior to, during and after the incident. The information demonstrates how the TC model finds significant value in the living-learning experience that is possible in physical aggression and its management.

The dynamic administration at the interface between TC with preparation groups has a potential pitfall which might increases the risk of aggression in TC.

It is an original study focusing on the interface between new notion of preparation groups and TC following a case of Physical aggression. Physical aggression is a rare incident in TCs and there are very limited literature about it. The paper has a distinctive feature of being prepared in collaboration with TC service users.