Older Parents of Learning Disabled People and Barriers to Social Inclusion Deborah Davys University of Salford

Older parents of people who have a learning disability Numbers of parents in this situation are rising (Dowling and Hollins 2003)

History of caring and background issues for parents Reactions of other people to their son/daughter Impact on family relationships Financial implications

Issues for older parents continued: Concern about what will happen to their son or daughter in the future when they are no longer able to provide support. Parents own ageing Historical distrust of services

Links between valued social roles and social inclusion Groups of people who are often perceived as devalued or “different from others in a negative way” include people who have a mental and/or physical disability, older people, legal offenders (Wolfensberger 1972)

Risk of double devaluation On account of age On account of association with learning disability

Inclusion Incorporates the concept of active and full participation/ involvement in all areas of community life (Mountain 2004)

Occupational Therapy Increasing numbers of older people on OT caseloads. Learning disabilities is an area of growth for occupational therapy.

What can OT`s do at ground level? Be aware of the issues and background of older parents in this situation. Be aware of parents perspective and their “tasks” as they are both parent to a person who has a learning disability and a person who is adjusting to their own ageing.

What can OT`s do cont. Work with families to start futures planning early therefore working towards smooth and gradual transitions rather than crisis management. Acknowledge the knowledge that older parents have about their son/daughter and the support they have provided over a lifetime.

What can OT`s do cont. Ensure that older carers have their needs met at an equal level to the person who has a learning disability. Ensure that families are informed of services that they are likely to need and are aware of the options available.

What can OT`s do cont. Establish regular reviews that include the older parent. Be involved in cross-agency working, planning and education. Be involved in strategic planning at local level. Encourage older parents to be involved in the development of policies (Foundation for People with Learning Disabilities 2005,Department of Health 2001, British Institute of Learning Disabilities 1998)

References Belmont,M.F. and Harris,A. (2002) Health Prolotion for Elderly Clients in Lewis, C.B. (ed) Ageing, The Health-Care Challenge. 4 th Ed. Philadelphis: F.A. Davis Company,pp Burke,C., Chenweth,L. and Newman,M. (2001) “ Lost in a Crowd ” Issues Confronting Adults with Intellectual Disabilities and their Ageing Family Members. Geriaction. 19(4):pp Dowlings,S. and Hollins,S. (2003) Coping with Berevement: the Dynamics of Intervention in Mental Health, Intellectual Disability and the Ageing Process. Davidson,P.W., Prashner,V.P. and Janicki,M.P. (Eds) Maiden: Blackwell Publishing. Pp Department of Health (2001) Valuing People: A Strategy for Learning Disability for the 21 st. Centuary. Available at: on on Mountain, G. (2004) Occupational Therapy with Older People. London: Whurr Publishers Ltd. Smyth,M. and McConkey,R. (2003) Future Aspirations for Students with Severe Learning Disabilities and of their Parents on Leaving Special School. British Journal of Learning Disabilities. 31, Thompson,D. (2001) Futures Planning for People with Learning Disabilities Living with Older Family Carers. Managing Community Care. Vol.9,2,pp3-6. Wolfensberger, W. (1972) The principle of normalisation in human management services. Toronto: National Institute of Mental Retardation