News Release, 17 October 2002
Older people with learning disabilities and their carers need new rights to end their 'neglected minority' status, said the Foundation for People with Learning Disabilities today (17 October 2002).
The Foundation is launching a Charter of Rights to give older people with learning disabilities and older family carers flexible health and social care services, help in planning for the future and better information and support.
The Charter appears in a major report, Today and Tomorrow, launched today, which highlights the work of the Foundation's Growing Older with Learning Disabilities (GOLD) programme. The report covers a range of different issues, research projects and services for older people with learning disabilities.
The Foundation recognises a growing awareness, in central and local Government, of the needs of older people with learning disabilities and older family carers who look after them. But, it argues, more must be done to meet those needs.
The life expectancy of people with learning disabilities has increased in recent decades. This means they are more likely to have age-related health problems, and to outlive their parents. The Foundation estimates that, of adults with learning disabilities living in the family home, 40% live with carers over 60.
The Charter states that older people with learning disabilities must:
- Have the right to be supported in leading full lives, making and keeping friends and keeping in touch with families if they leave home.
- Have access to services that are flexible enough to meet their changing needs as they grow older, and that respect their cultural, ethnic or religious needs.
- Be able to choose where and with whom they live.
- Have good health services, including screening for heart disease and dementia, and have their wishes respected, if terminally ill.
The Charter also states that older carers should have a right to practical and emotional support, including information and short breaks, and independent advocacy. From the age of 60, they should be offered help in planning ahead, with those for whom they are caring. Government policy in England currently prioritises carers aged 70 and over for such assistance.
Hazel Morgan, Head of the Foundation for People with Learning Disabilities says: "Our charter enshrines the rights that older people with learning disabilities and older family carers need and deserve to live their lives to the full in the 21st century.
While we know that policy makers and service planners are well-intentioned, change of this nature shouldn't depend on good intentions. That's why we're calling on those working with people with learning disabilities to adopt our charter as a starting point when planning services for people with learning disabilities and older family carers.
There are pockets of good practice - some of them funded by the Foundation and outlined in our report, Today and Tomorrow - and we can all learn from these. But there are still many areas where people face disrespectful attitudes and insensitivity, inadequate services or no services at all. This has to end."
Separate chapters cover friendship and how services can help create and support friendships among people with learning disabilities; health care, including interviews with women with learning disabilities about their experiences of the menopause; older carers, including practical steps for staff to take in helping families plan for the future; housing, including research on how to secure the family home for a person with learning disabilities; dementia and Down's syndrome, including issues and ideas for service providers; terminal illness and death, including the results of research into what makes a 'good' death.
Today and Tomorrow : The report of the Growing Older with Learning Disabilities (GOLD) Programme. Book. Foundation for People with Learning Disabilities, October 2002. Is available from the the Publications Department at the Foundation for People with Learning Disabilities, Tel 020 7803 1101 or email books@fpld.org.uk
More information on the Foundation for People with Learning Disabilities' GOLD programme
Return to news releases 2002
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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