News Release, 29 October 2001
In an average health authority there are 300 people with learning disabilities living at home with older relatives, but one in four of them only come to the attention of services when their older family carers reach a crisis point and become too frail to continue caring. The Foundation for People with Learning Disabilities has launched a new report to help older family carers avoid such crises by making plans for the future.
Family Homes, launched on Wednesday 14 November 2001, outlines the options available to enable people with learning disabilities to remain in the family home when their relatives become less able to support them. The project was carried out by Housing Options as part of the Foundation's Growing Older with Learning Disabilities (GOLD) programme.
The new England Learning Disability Strategy recognises both the importance and the previous neglect of older family carers. Local authorities are now expected to identify all family carers over 70 and additional money has been earmarked for providing supported living arrangements for people with learning disabilities living in such households.
"Older family carers should not be taken for granted" said David Thompson, GOLD project manager. "They often worry about the future; they are anxious about the person they support going into residential care, but don't have information on alternatives. They may also find that their relative is excluded from day opportunities at a certain age, so spending more time at home and placing additional strain on the family." Recent research by the Foundation for People with Learning Disabilities also found that people with learning disabilities are often placed in residential homes alongside people who are much older and incapacitated than they are; as well as being inappropriate this also involves the upheaval of moving to an unfamiliar environment.
Enabling people to remain in the family home is a solution which could benefit many families, as well as saving resources for local authorities. Many older family carers appreciate the practical and emotional support they receive from their younger relatives, who in turn are generally happy in the family home. Family Homes explores available options for owner-occupied homes, including passing the property on to the person with learning disabilities and putting it into a Trust, and explores the possibilities for transferring the tenancy of a rented home.
Continuing to live in the family home will be one of the themes of a forthcoming conference held by the Foundation for People with Learning Disabilities. The conference is designed to help local authorities implement the England Learning Disability Strategy regarding older family carers. Other subjects covered will include supporting people with learning disabilities who themselves have a caring role, working with older Asian families, and the hopes of people with learning disabilities who live with older family carers.
Family homes : Using parental property to provide future housing for people with learning disabilities. Report, 2001. Is available to download (for free) in PDF format.
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Note to editors
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
- Spread knowledge and information.
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