Issue date: 9 March 2005
On Tuesday 15 March, the Foundation for People with Learning Disabilities will launch a resource pack for older families of people with learning disabilities. Supporting Older Families: Making a Real Difference comes in response to findings from the Foundation that Learning Disability Partnership Boards across England are struggling to identify, meet and plan for the needs of older family carers. 1
There are currently more than 29,000 people with a severe or profound learning disability living at home with carers aged over 70, 2 and twenty five per cent of people with learning disabilities living at home with family carers over the age of 70 3 are unknown to services until there is a crisis. Behind these figures, older families live with constant anxiety about what will happen in the future, when they can no longer support their relative.
This resource pack will be given free to all Learning Disability Partnership Boards in England. It discusses the challenges that need to be met if older families are to receive the help they need, and contains examples of good practice that readers can learn from and implement. A checklist is also included for Partnership Boards and sub-groups to help them better respond to the needs of older families.
Alison Giraud-Saunders, Co-Director of the Foundation for People with Learning Disabilities, said:
“Although services and support for people with learning disabilities have improved, older families in many areas are still not getting the help they need. It is important that older families are supported in their current roles whilst planning for the future with confidence. We must get things right for older families now so that others don’t face the same anxieties, uncertainty and fears that so many older family carers have lived with for decades.”
Supporting Older Families: Making a Real Difference is the latest development of the Older Family Carers Initiative, a three year project funded by the Department of Health. Led by the Foundation in partnership with other organisations, the initiative aims to improve the lives of people with learning disabilities and their families.
Supporting Older Families: Making a Real Difference will be launched at a one-day conference in Central London on Tuesday 15 March. MPs will hear how the resource pack supports the aims of the Government’s 2001 White Paper, Valuing People at a policy seminar on Wednesday 16 March in Westminster.
To obtain a copy of the resource pack, visit www.learningdisabilities.org.uk
1. Planning for Tomorrow, the Foundation for People with Learning Disabilities (2003)
2. Housing Timebomb, Mencap (2002)
3. Valuing People, Department of Health (2001)
ENDS
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For further information and interview requests contact please contact the press office on 020 7803 1105 / 1128 or email the press office
The Foundation promotes the rights, quality of life and opportunities of people with learning disabilities and their families. We do this by working with people with learning disabilities, their families and those who support them to:
- Do research and develop projects that promote social inclusion and citizenship
- Support local communities and services to include people with learning disabilities
- Make practical improvements in services for people with learning disabilities
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