Older Families Initiative

The Foundation for People with Learning Disabilities wants to make sure that older families of people with learning disabilities get the right support.

This project was about people with learning disabilities who are living at home with their parents or other relatives who are getting older now.

It helped local organisations find better ways of helping older families of people with learning disabilities.

Evaluation of project

Professor Carol Walker of Lincoln University completed an evaluation of the impact of this project and the progress that Learning Disability Partnership Boards have made in meeting the needs of older families.

The evaluation concluded that most areas had shown improvement in their policy and practice regarding older families, but that it is very much a ‘work in progress’.

Supporting Older Families: Making a Real Difference pack

The pack includes examples of good practice from around the country. It explores how older families can:

• stay together
• plan for emergencies
• plan for the long-term future. 

More information about the Supporting Older Families pack

Discretionary Trusts: A Guide for Families

This guide has been written for families who have a relative with a learning disability. Discretionary Trusts are a way of putting in place financial arrangements to help support a relative. These trusts are particularly suitable for disabled people. A Discretionary Trust can also provide a way of owning property.

More information about Discretionary Trusts

Good practice guidelines in supporting older family carers of people with learning disabilities

These guidelines provide useful, good practice information and ideas for supporting older family carers. They are intended as a tool to help Learning Disability Partnership Boards, commissioners and frontline workers reflect on the way that older family carers are supported in their area.

They are also designed to inform older family carers of:

• their rights
• the support available to them
• processes outlined in Valuing People that will affect them.
  

More information about Good practice guidelines

Person-centred Approaches and Older Families 
     
This booklet highlights good practice in using person-centred approaches with older families. It is aimed at person-centred planning coordinators and facilitators, but is a useful resource for anyone working with older families.

More information about the Person-centred Approaches and Older Families booklet