Ageing and people with a learning disability Lesley Barcham, BILD Ageing Well Project

Aims of the workshop To understand more about the lives and needs of older people with a learning disability as they ageing To look at what characterises great support for older people with a learning disability BILD

BILD and Ageing Well Ageing Well project Funded from the legacy of Patricia Collen Promote a better understanding of the lives and needs of older people with al earning disability BILD

Activity What is important for you in relation to ageing well? BILD

What older people tell us “What the GOLD group have learnt about getting older with a learning disability is: Friendships are very important. Support to keep friendships going takes a lot of time It is hard to get extra support when it is needed The group have stopped people’s support being reduced Services often avoid involving the people who can speak out for older people with learning disabilities Some people are on personal budgets, but it is difficult to see how things have changed Services are not helping people make plans for the future It is hard to talk about losses, but sometimes it is good to do this” BILD

The lives and needs of older people with a learning disability as they age People with learning disabilities are living longer The number of older people with learning disabilities is growing Older people with learning disabilities are a diverse group Many people with learning disabilities live with their parents and these families are growing older together BILD

The lives and needs of older people with a learning disability as they ageing Older people with learning disabilities and their families do not always get the right support Older people with learning disabilities share many of the same experiences of growing older as everyone else Older people with learning disabilities face a ‘double jeopardy’. They face discrimination as disabled people and age discrimination as older people BILD

The lives and needs of older people with a learning disability as they ageing Older people with learning disabilities can face specific challenges and disadvantages as they age It is important that we listen to what older people with learning disabilities and their families tell us Many learning disability, older people’s and health services are not well prepared to support people with learning disabilities. They need better information, joint training and planning to meet people’s age related needs BILD

Health and wellbeing for older people with a learning disability Health needs Lifelong disability, additional health needs Increased incidence of obesity, diabetes, sensory loss, dementia, respiratory, mental health needs Specific genetic risks Difficulties accessing suitable healthcare

Health and wellbeing for older people with a learning disability Social needs Social network and friendships Unemployment and low income Poor housing and changing housing needs Making a contribution BILD

Activity What are the three key characteristics of great support for older people with a learning disability

Further resources Factsheet Website well well Book Training materials Special issue of British Journal of Learning Disabilities autumn 2015 BILD

Thank you Lesley Barcham BILD – Ageing Well Project